- Must visit
Museum Ludwig
Major modern and contemporary art museum beside the cathedral, known for its Picasso collection and important Pop Art holdings.
Cheapest price
$33
Average price
$34
Fastest journey
9 h 35 m
Average duration
10 h 2 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
475 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Dresden to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Dresden to Cologne will cost around $34 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $33.
Of the 3 buses that leave Dresden for Cologne on Wed, Jun 10, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jun 10 the direct buses cover the 475 km distance in an average of 10 h 2 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 9 h 35 m .
On Wed, Jun 10 the slowest buses will take 10 h 40 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 · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Dresden to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $28. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 33m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $28, and a flight costs an average of $396.
Distance: 295 miles (475 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$49 Average price Cheapest | $78 Average price | $576 Average price | $105 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 33m Average total duration 8h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 31m Average total duration 7h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 33m Average total duration Fastest 3h 33m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 6h 15m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.4 - 2.9kg 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 Dresden to Cologne:
A bus is $29 (€23) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Dresden to Cologne costing on average $78 (€63).
A bus is $527 (€429) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Dresden to Cologne costing on average $576 (€469).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 1m.
Bus takes on average 8h 3m.
Tickets start at around $49 (€40) compared to roughly $105 (€85) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $56 (€45). The journey takes 8h 3m versus 6h 15m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30AM | Arrival Time 10:40AM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $69 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 12:40PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:10AM | Arrival Time 04:10PM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:45AM | Arrival Time 09:20PM | Duration 9h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:50AM | Arrival Time 06:10PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:20PM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $70 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:20PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:40PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:50PM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 04:40AM | Duration 10h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 01:30AM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 04:00AM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:15PM | Arrival Time 08:05AM | Duration 9h50 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 05:30AM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $55 |
The table below shows live departures for Dresden to Cologne buses for today, Tuesday, June 9. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 11:45 AM Dresden, Bayrische Straße (Hauptbahnhof) | 9h35 | 9:20 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:00 PM Dresden, Bayrische Straße (Hauptbahnhof) | 10h40 | 4:40 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 10:15 PM Dresden, Bayrische Straße (Hauptbahnhof) | 9h50 | 8:05 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Dresden to Cologne run on average 6 times per day, taking around 8h 3m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $28 (€23) but you can travel from only $13 (€11) by train.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:45, the last at 23:40. The fastest bus covers the 295 miles (475 km) distance in 9h 35m.
Distance 295 miles (475 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 3m |
Cheapest ticket price $28 (€23) |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 9h 35m |
First bus 12:45 AM |
Last bus 11:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 49 days |
Discover the best of Cologne — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cologne trip today.
Major modern and contemporary art museum beside the cathedral, known for its Picasso collection and important Pop Art holdings.
Archaeological museum focused on Roman Cologne; famous for mosaics and finds from the ancient city. Main building has had closures, but the collection remains significant.
Leading fine arts museum with medieval, Baroque and 19th-century European painting in Cologne's historic center.
The city's most visited walking area, with narrow lanes, churches, colorful houses and easy access to major sights.
Popular riverside walking route with postcard views of the cathedral, bridges and skyline, especially lively near sunset.
Historic square in the Old Town surrounded by traditional facades, busy pedestrian activity and classic Cologne atmosphere.
Cologne’s signature pale beer, traditionally served in small cylindrical glasses called Stangen. It is central to the city’s brewing culture and best enjoyed in a Brauhaus.
A classic Cologne dish of mashed potatoes and apple sauce, often served with fried onions and black pudding. The sweet-savory combination is strongly associated with Rhineland home cooking.
Despite the name, this is not chicken but a rye bread roll with Gouda, mustard, onions, and pickles. It is a beloved Brauhaus snack traditionally eaten with Kölsch.
A celebrated fine-dining restaurant in Cologne known for creative modern tasting menus and polished service, ideal for a higher-end culinary experience.
A well-known casual restaurant famous for schnitzel and generous portions, with a friendly, old-school Cologne neighborhood feel.
A long-established Brauhaus in the Old Town serving hearty Cologne specialties, fresh Kölsch, and a warm wood-paneled atmosphere popular with locals and visitors.
Moderate by German standards: supermarkets and casual food are reasonable, while hotels and central dining cost more.
Service is usually included, but a tip is expected. Round up in cafés and taxis, and add about 5-10% in restaurants for good service.
Official public transport app
Köln ZOB, Cologne -> Köln Hauptbahnhof, Cologne
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Dresden to Cologne 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 Cologne, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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