- Must visit
Museum Ludwig
Outstanding collection of Picasso, pop art, and modern masters in a central museum complex. A major stop for twentieth-century art lovers.
Cheapest price on Sep 18
€9
Average ticket price on Sep 18
€18
Fastest journey on Sep 18
2 h 10 m
Average journey duration on Sep 18
6 h 21 m
Buses on Sep 18
4
Distance
141 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Mainz to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Mainz to Cologne will cost around €18 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €9.
On Fri, Sep 18, we found 4 buses from Mainz to Cologne, including 1 direct services.
On Fri, Sep 18 the direct buses cover the 141 km distance in an average of 6 h 21 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 10 m .
On Fri, Sep 18 the slowest buses will take 8 h 5 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.
(Prague -> Amsterdam)
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
(Prague -> Amsterdam)
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Mainz to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €32 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 4m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €32, while a train costs an average of €57.
Distance: 87 miles (141 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€32 Average price Cheapest | €57 Average price | €26 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 24m Average total duration 4h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 4m Average total duration Fastest 1h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 7m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Mainz to Cologne:
A bus is €25 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Mainz to Cologne costing on average €57.
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 54m.
Tickets start at around €32 compared to roughly €26 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €-5.76. The journey takes 4h 54m versus 2h 7m 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.
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 04:10AM | Arrival Time 06:00AM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30AM | Arrival Time 07:20AM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €10 |
Operator RegioJet a.s. | Departure Time 05:55AM | Arrival Time 08:05AM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 07:20AM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €9 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:10AM | Arrival Time 04:45PM | Duration 9h35 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price €14 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:20AM | Arrival Time 03:30PM | Duration 7h10 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €15 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:20AM | Arrival Time 11:00AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €11 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 11:10AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price €15 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:10AM | Arrival Time 01:10PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 01:30PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €12 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:05PM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €14 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:40PM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €11 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 04:00PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €7 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:10PM | Arrival Time 06:20PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:20PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price €14 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:40PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price €9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price €15 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 10:20PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price €15 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 02:55AM | Duration 4h25 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €19 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:40PM | Arrival Time 06:45AM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €14 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:20PM | Arrival Time 12:40AM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €8 |
The table below shows live departures for Mainz to Cologne buses for tomorrow, Friday, September 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(Prague -> Amsterdam) | 5:55 AM Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36) | 2h10 | 8:05 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:20 AM Mainz, Binger Schlag (Kurzzeitparkplatz) | 7h10 | 3:30 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:05 PM Mainz, Binger Schlag (Kurzzeitparkplatz) | 8h00 | 8:05 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:40 PM Mainz, Binger Schlag (Kurzzeitparkplatz) | 8h05 | 6:45 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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 Mainz to Cologne run on average 2 times per day, taking around 4h 54m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €19 but you can travel from only €7 by train.
The earliest bus runs at 05:42, the last at 23:15. The fastest bus covers the 87 miles (141 km) distance in 3h 5m.
Distance 87 miles (141 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 54m |
Cheapest ticket price €19 |
Buses per day 2 |
Fastest bus 3h 5m |
First bus 5:42 AM |
Last bus 11:15 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Mon |
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.
Outstanding collection of Picasso, pop art, and modern masters in a central museum complex. A major stop for twentieth-century art lovers.
Excellent private museum for modern and contemporary art, with changing exhibitions and a sculpture-filled former industrial hall.
Art museum of the Archdiocese of Cologne, blending contemporary architecture with historic ruins and carefully curated sacred art.
The heart of Cologne’s old town, filled with historic lanes, churches, squares, and Rhine views. Best area for first walks and atmosphere.
Broad riverside promenade ideal for walking, skyline views, and photos of the cathedral, bridge, and Rhine traffic.
Popular east-bank steps and terrace with one of Cologne’s best panoramic views across the Rhine to the cathedral and old town.
Marinated beef roast in a sweet-sour gravy, traditionally served with red cabbage and dumplings. It is a Rhineland classic long associated with Cologne.
Pan-fried black pudding with onions and mashed potatoes or rye bread. This hearty Rhineland dish is a long-standing Cologne pub favorite.
Halved rye roll with butter, Gouda, onions, and mustard. It is Cologne's iconic simple pub snack, traditionally enjoyed with Kölsch.
Celebrated fine-dining restaurant with modern German cuisine, polished service, and panoramic Rhine views from the upper floors.
Well-known brewery restaurant with classic local fare, seasonal dishes, and its own Kölsch in a spacious historic atmosphere.
Beloved traditional brauhaus serving Mühlen Kölsch, Halve Hahn, and other Cologne staples in a bustling old-city setting.
Moderate for Germany: hotels can be pricey in peak trade fair periods, but dining and local transit are generally manageable for most tourists.
Service is usually included, but rounding up is standard. Tip about 5-10% in restaurants, round up for taxis, and leave small change at cafes.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Mainz 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.

Most Mainz to Cologne buses use the Mainz, Binger Schlag (Kurzzeitparkplatz) to Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) station pair, with some services arriving at Leverkusen, Bf Mitte. Use this guide to compare Mainz and Cologne bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Mainz, Binger Schlag (Kurzzeitparkplatz) is 2 km from Mainz city centre. Public transport options include:
Mainz, Binger Schlag (Kurzzeitparkplatz) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Mainz, Binger Schlag (Kurzzeitparkplatz). ATMs are available at Mainz, Binger Schlag (Kurzzeitparkplatz).
Ticket office support is available at Mainz, Binger Schlag (Kurzzeitparkplatz).
Available at Mainz, Binger Schlag (Kurzzeitparkplatz): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Mainz, Binger Schlag (Kurzzeitparkplatz): Bus station accessible by wheelchair.
Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) is 13 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:
Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Accessibility, and WC.
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Available at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen): Parking, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen): Elevators, ramps.
Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) is 13 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:
Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance and baggage claim area.
Ticket office support is available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2).
Available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2): Elevators, ramps.
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