The cheapest and fastest buses from Cologne to Erfurt
Cheapest price
€26
Average price
€29
Fastest journey
3 h 30 m
Average duration
5 h 9 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
286 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cologne to Erfurt is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Erfurt will cost around €29 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €26.
Of the 5 buses that leave Cologne for Erfurt on Mon, Dec 08, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Dec 08 the direct buses cover the 286 km distance in an average of 5 h 9 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 30 m .
On Mon, Dec 08 the slowest buses will take 7 h 30 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.



FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus


FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBusTravel Information
Compare bus and train for Cologne to Erfurt
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Erfurt among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €17. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 4h 12m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €17, and a train costs an average of €28.
Distance: 177 miles (286 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
€31 Average price Cheapest | €79 Average price |
5h 21m Average total duration 4h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 42m Average total duration Fastest 4h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Cologne to Erfurt Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:15AM | Arrival Time 09:45AM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price €33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 11:30AM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:20PM | Arrival Time 05:20PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €29 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price €26 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €32 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €24 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:50PM | Arrival Time 08:20PM | Duration 3h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price €28 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price €26 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:20PM | Arrival Time 04:45AM | Duration 6h25 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price €33 |
Live departures
Cologne to Erfurt bus times
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Erfurt buses for today, Sunday, December 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1:15 PM Cologne | 8h30 | 9:45 PM Erfurt | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:20 PM Cologne | 6h25 | 2:45 AM Erfurt | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Monday, December 8 | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:15 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 7h30 | 8:45 AM Erfurt, Busbahnhof 2 | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cologne to Erfurt by bus or train
Compare bus and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Dec 08
Dec 09
Dec 10
Dec 11
Dec 12
Dec 13
Dec 14
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Cologne to Erfurt
Buses from Cologne to Erfurt run on average 4 times per day, taking around 4h 51m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $22 (€17) if you book in advance.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:45, the last at 23:35. The fastest bus covers the 177 miles (286 km) distance in 5h 55m.
Distance 177 miles (286 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 51m |
Cheapest ticket price $22 (€17) |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 5h 55m |
First bus 00:45 |
Last bus 23:35 |
Bus providers: BlaBlaCar, FlixBus, Wupsi from Cologne to ErfurtYou can travel by bus between Cologne to Erfurt with BlaBlaCar, FlixBus, Wupsi for as low as $22 (€17). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
BlaBlaCar
Wupsi
FAQs: Bus from Cologne to Erfurt
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Erfurt by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Erfurt, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Cologne to Erfurt, follow these tips:
Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- Guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Cologne to Erfurt
- Free Wi-Fi
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible
Most popular bus connections from Cologne
More options for your journey from Cologne to Erfurt
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

