- Must visit
Museum Ludwig
Major modern and contemporary art museum known for its Picasso collection, Pop Art, and works by leading 20th-century artists beside the cathedral.
Cheapest price
$95
Average price
$107
Fastest journey
13 h 15 m
Average duration
14 h 7 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
497 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from London to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from London to Cologne will cost around $107 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $95.
Of the 3 buses that leave London for Cologne on Fri, May 29, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, May 29 the direct buses cover the 497 km distance in an average of 14 h 7 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 13 h 15 m .
On Fri, May 29 the slowest buses will take 15 h 26 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+
FlixTrain
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus+
FlixTrainOmio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from London to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $61. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 55m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $61, and a train costs an average of $82.
Distance: 308 miles (497 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$101 Average price Cheapest | $166 Average price | $361 Average price | $45 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
15h 17m Average total duration 14h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 55m Average total duration Fastest 1h 55m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 25m Average total duration 3h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 28m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from London to Cologne:
A bus is $65 (€53) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from London to Cologne costing on average $166 (€134).
A bus is $260 (€210) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London to Cologne costing on average $361 (€291).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 55m.
Bus takes on average 14h 47m.
You'll arrive about -8h -19m sooner (14h 47m by bus vs 7h 28m by car) and save roughly $-56.00 (€-45.23) compared to fuel and tolls ($101 (€81) vs $45 (€36)). 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 FlixBus, Union Ivkoni International.
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 08:00AM | Arrival Time 10:40PM | Duration 13h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $78 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 01:41PM | Duration 16h11 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $71 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 12:45PM | Duration 13h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $64 |
The table below shows live departures for London to Cologne buses for today, Thursday, May 28. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 8:00 AM London, Victoria Coach Station | 13h40 | 10:40 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus+ FlixTrain | 8:30 PM London, Victoria Coach Station | 15h26 | 12:56 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 10:30 PM London, Victoria Coach Station | 13h15 | 12:45 PM 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 London to Cologne run on average 3 times per day, taking around 14h 47m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $61 (€49) but you can travel from only $30 (€24) by flight.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 308 miles (497 km) distance in 12h 45m.
Distance 308 miles (497 km) |
Average bus duration 14h 47m |
Cheapest ticket price $61 (€49) |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 12h 45m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 14 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 known for its Picasso collection, Pop Art, and works by leading 20th-century artists beside the cathedral.
One of Germany’s important fine art museums, with medieval painting, Baroque masters, and strong 19th-century holdings in the city center.
Key archaeological museum for Cologne’s Roman heritage. The main building has been under redevelopment, but the collection remains a city highlight.
Popular riverside promenade and steps on the Deutz side, famous for one of the best panoramic views of Cologne Cathedral and the skyline.
Historic Old Town square lined with traditional façades and lively public space, ideal for soaking up Cologne’s central atmosphere.
Large central square in the Old Town, often used for events and a convenient base for exploring nearby historic streets and the riverfront.
Cologne’s iconic pale ale, traditionally served in small Stangen glasses. It is central to the city’s brewing culture and best enjoyed in a classic brauhaus.
A classic Cologne dish of mashed potatoes and apple sauce, often served with black pudding and fried onions. The sweet-savory combination is a Rhineland favorite.
Despite the name, this is not chicken but a rye roll with Gouda cheese, butter, mustard, and onions. It is a traditional brauhaus snack served with Kölsch.
A respected fine-dining restaurant offering creative modern cuisine and tasting menus, representing Cologne’s upscale food scene.
Historic brewery tavern with its own Kölsch, appreciated for authentic Cologne food, old-world atmosphere, and communal wooden tables.
A long-established, casual local favorite especially known for large schnitzels and hearty Rhineland comfort food in a friendly atmosphere.
Moderate for Germany: museums and transit are reasonable, while hotels and dining in central areas cost more.
Service is usually included, but rounding up or leaving 5-10% is customary in restaurants. Round up in taxis. Small tips are appreciated for hotel staff.
Official public transport app
Köln ZOB, Cologne -> Köln Hauptbahnhof, Cologne
One of the less well used buses routes is the route from London to Cologne. Only the buses company National Express offers a departure to the Rhine metropolis once a day. The London Cologne buses start their journey at the Victoria Coach Station in London and reach the terminus near Cologne Central Station after a night trip. The journey starts in London at 9.30 p.m. and reaches its destination the next morning around 10.15 a.m., so that travellers can already fully enjoy the first day of their trip. The journey time London - Cologne is approx. 11 hours and 45 minutes.
Cologne is the most populous city in North Rhine-Westphalia and the fourth largest city in Germany. Cologne is known above all for its exuberant carnival and the impressive cathedral, which is located in the direct vicinity of the main railway station and which you can hardly miss.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London 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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