- Must visit
Museum Ludwig
Major modern and contemporary art museum beside the cathedral, known for its strong Picasso collection and Pop Art holdings.
Cheapest price
$19
Average price
$21
Fastest journey
3 h
Average duration
3 h 32 m
Buses per day
6
Distance
193 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Mannheim to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Mannheim to Cologne will cost around $21 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $19.
Of the 6 buses that leave Mannheim for Cologne on Tue, Jun 16, 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Jun 16 the direct buses cover the 193 km distance in an average of 3 h 32 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h .
On Tue, Jun 16 the slowest buses will take 4 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.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Mannheim to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $16. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 36m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $16, and a train costs an average of $22.
Distance: 119 miles (193 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$24 Average price Cheapest | $69 Average price | $45 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 10m Average total duration 2h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 6m Average total duration Fastest 2h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 40m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg 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 Mannheim to Cologne:
A bus is $45 (€36) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Mannheim to Cologne costing on average $69 (€56).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 40m.
Tickets start at around $24 (€19) compared to roughly $45 (€36) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $21 (€17). The journey takes 2h 40m versus 2h 40m 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 Bus | Departure Time 12:15AM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 16h35 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $83 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:55AM | Arrival Time 04:40AM | Duration 3h45 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:50AM | Arrival Time 08:25AM | Duration 3h35 | Departure days Tue, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:20AM | Arrival Time 08:55AM | Duration 3h35 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 08:20AM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:10AM | Arrival Time 09:40AM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 11:00AM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:45AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 3h15 | Departure days Tue, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:50AM | Arrival Time 12:40PM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 12:40PM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:15AM | Arrival Time 01:30PM | Duration 3h15 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:20AM | Arrival Time 12:50PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:50AM | Arrival Time 01:20PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 01:30PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 03:10PM | Duration 3h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:15PM | Arrival Time 03:35PM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 06:25AM | Duration 16h55 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $83 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 04:45PM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:40PM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:10PM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:50PM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Mon, Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:40PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:20PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:40PM | Arrival Time 08:00PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:05PM | Arrival Time 10:10PM | Duration 4h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:10PM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:25PM | Arrival Time 03:35AM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $23 |
The table below shows live departures for Mannheim to Cologne buses for today, Monday, June 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:25 PM Mannheim, ZOB (Heinrich-Von-Stephan-Straße) | 4h10 | 3:35 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
| Tuesday, June 16 | |||||
FlixBus | 12:55 AM Mannheim, ZOB (Heinrich-Von-Stephan-Straße) | 3h45 | 4:40 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:50 AM Mannheim, ZOB (Heinrich-Von-Stephan-Straße) | 3h35 | 8:25 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:45 AM Mannheim, ZOB (Heinrich-Von-Stephan-Straße) | 3h15 | 1:00 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 1:45 PM Mannheim, ZOB (Heinrich-Von-Stephan-Straße) | 3h00 | 4:45 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:30 PM Mannheim, ZOB (Heinrich-Von-Stephan-Straße) | 4h10 | 7:40 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 6:05 PM Mannheim, ZOB (Heinrich-Von-Stephan-Straße) | 4h05 | 10:10 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 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 Mannheim to Cologne run on average 10 times per day, taking around 2h 40m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $16 (€13) if you book in advance.
There are 9 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:40. The fastest bus covers the 119 miles (193 km) distance in 2h 45m.
Distance 119 miles (193 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price $16 (€13) |
Buses per day 10 |
Direct buses 9 |
Fastest bus 2h 45m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
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 beside the cathedral, known for its strong Picasso collection and Pop Art holdings.
Cologne’s key archaeology museum for Roman heritage, especially famous for the Dionysus mosaic and Roman artifacts from the city.
Important fine arts museum with medieval, Baroque, and 19th-century painting, including one of Germany’s leading Impressionist collections.
Popular riverfront promenade in Deutz with one of the city’s best postcard views toward the cathedral skyline, especially at sunset.
Classic walking area with narrow lanes, traditional houses, churches, and river access, ideal for first-time visitors.
One of the Old Town’s best-known squares, surrounded by historic facades and a lively atmosphere close to major sights.
Cologne’s signature top-fermented pale beer, traditionally served in small cylindrical glasses. It is central to the city’s brewing culture and best enjoyed in a local brauhaus.
A classic Cologne dish of mashed potatoes and apple sauce, usually served with black pudding and fried onions. The sweet-savory combination is strongly associated with Rhineland home cooking.
Despite the name, this is not chicken but a rye bread roll with aged Gouda, butter, mustard, and onions. It is a beloved Kölsch beer snack in traditional Cologne pubs.
An established fine-dining restaurant in central Cologne offering refined modern European cuisine, polished service, and an elegant hotel dining room.
A well-known casual restaurant loved for schnitzel and hearty German comfort food. It has a relaxed, local feel and a strong reputation among visitors and residents.
One of Cologne’s most famous brauhäuser near the cathedral, known for Kölsch and classic Rhineland dishes in a lively traditional atmosphere.
Moderate by German standards. Museums and transit are reasonable, while hotels and central dining cost more.
Service is usually included. Round up small bills; tip about 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Add EUR 1-2 for taxis, and round up in cafés if table service is provided.
Official public transport app
Köln ZOB, Cologne -> Köln Hauptbahnhof, Cologne
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Mannheim 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.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need