- Must visit
Museo Nacional del Prado
Spain’s premier art museum, famous for masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Rubens, and Bosch. A core stop on Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art.
Cheapest price
$185
Average price
$233
Fastest journey
1 d 20 m
Average duration
1 d 2 h 31 m
Buses per day
9
Distance
1430 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cologne to Madrid is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Madrid will cost around $233 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $185.
It's difficult to get from Cologne to Madrid without transferring at least once.
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
50429 · 3163
50457 · 4003
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
50429 · 3163
50457 · 4003
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $86. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 32m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the bus is your best bet as it emits only 1.4 - 3.6kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $86, and a flight costs an average of $310.
Distance: 888 miles (1430 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$159 Average price Cheapest | $660 Average price | $502 Average price | $496 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
25h 20m Average total duration 24h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 32m Average total duration Fastest 3h 32m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 25h 42m Average total duration 25h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 17h 38m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
1.4 - 3.6kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 4.3 - 8.6kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Madrid:
A bus is $343 (€277) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Madrid costing on average $502 (€406).
A bus is $501 (€406) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Madrid costing on average $660 (€534).
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Bus takes on average 24h 50m.
Train takes on average 25h 12m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:00AM | Arrival Time 08:40AM | Duration 32h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $142 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:05AM | Arrival Time 07:25AM | Duration 28h20 | Departure days Mon, Sun | Cheapest price $184 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:20AM | Arrival Time 10:15AM | Duration 27h55 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $114 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:50AM | Arrival Time 08:55AM | Duration 25h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $114 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:14AM | Arrival Time 01:20PM | Duration 29h06 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $128 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:35AM | Arrival Time 01:20PM | Duration 28h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $182 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:01AM | Arrival Time 01:20PM | Duration 28h19 | Departure days Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $143 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:15AM | Arrival Time 01:20PM | Duration 28h05 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $114 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 09:25AM | Arrival Time 01:15PM | Duration 27h50 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $130 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 11:55AM | Arrival Time 03:10PM | Duration 27h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $111 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:14PM | Arrival Time 07:25AM | Duration 39h11 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $200 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:05PM | Arrival Time 07:25AM | Duration 32h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $156 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:50PM | Arrival Time 07:25AM | Duration 31h35 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $187 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:55PM | Arrival Time 07:55AM | Duration 32h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $131 |
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Madrid buses for tomorrow, Sunday, May 24. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 3:05 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 28h20 | 7:25 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 3:05 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 28h50 | 7:55 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:50 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 25h05 | 8:55 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:50 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 24h20 | 8:10 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 9:15 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 28h05 | 1:20 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2 transfers | |
50457 · 4003 | 9:25 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 27h50 | 1:15 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
50429 · 3163 | 11:55 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 27h15 | 3:10 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:55 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 32h00 | 7:55 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:55 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 31h30 | 7:25 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 2 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight 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.
Buses from Cologne to Madrid run on average 7 times per day, taking around 24h 50m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $86 (€69) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 888 miles (1430 km) distance in 24h 20m.
Distance 888 miles (1430 km) |
Average bus duration 24h 50m |
Cheapest ticket price $86 (€69) |
Buses per day 7 |
Fastest bus 24h 20m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 56 days |
Discover the best of Madrid — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Madrid trip today.
Spain’s premier art museum, famous for masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Rubens, and Bosch. A core stop on Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art.
Spain’s leading museum of modern and contemporary art, best known for Picasso’s Guernica alongside works by Dalí and Miró.
Major collection spanning medieval to modern art, with celebrated works by Caravaggio, Monet, Van Gogh, Hopper, and Kandinsky.
Madrid’s most famous park, ideal for strolling, rowing, people-watching, and seeing monuments such as the Crystal Palace.
The symbolic center of Madrid and Spain’s radial road network, always busy and central to city life and celebrations.
Madrid’s best-known boulevard, lined with landmark architecture, theaters, shops, and rooftop viewpoints popular with visitors.
Madrid’s classic chickpea stew, traditionally served in stages with broth, vegetables, chickpeas, and assorted meats. It is one of the city’s signature comfort dishes.
A famous Madrid sandwich of fried squid rings in crusty bread, especially associated with bars around Plaza Mayor. It is a simple local staple and iconic snack.
A rich Madrid-style tripe stew cooked with chorizo, morcilla, and paprika. It is a traditional cold-weather dish with deep roots in local tavern cuisine.
Historic restaurant founded in the 18th century, famous for roast suckling pig and other classic Castilian dishes in an old-world setting.
Well-known traditional restaurant celebrated for huevos rotos and classic Madrid dining. The atmosphere is polished but rooted in old tavern tradition.
Historic tavern especially known for cocido madrileño cooked in individual clay pots. A strong choice for an authentic, traditional meal.
Moderate for Western Europe: tapas and transit are reasonable, while central hotels and fine dining cost more.
Service is usually included. Locals often round up or leave EUR 1-2 at cafes; about 5-10% in restaurants for great service. Taxis are usually rounded up.
Official public transport app
Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses -> Puerta del Sol, Madrid
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Madrid 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 Madrid, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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