Buses from Munich to Cologne

Bus from Munich to Cologne

The journey by bus from Munich to Cologne takes you through Germany's most scenic countryside in 8 to 10 hours. The route is fairly popular, so there are up to 15 departures both weekdays and on the weekend, spread out conveniently throughout the day. Most journeys are direct, especially if the journey takes place overnight. This option is the fastest since the roads stay clear of traffic at night.

How long is the journey by bus from Munich to Cologne? 

The duration of the journey by bus from Munich to Cologne varies according to the time of day and route. The overnight bus tends to be the fastest, with a total journey time of 8 to 9 hours. During the daytime, the travel time may increase, especially if there is a transfer involved. Despite that, there tends to be at least one fast bus during the day as well, with an approximate travel time of 8 hours.

How many buses are there from Munich to Cologne? 

The route from Munich to Cologne is definitely not the road less traveled, with approximately 13 departures daily. Passengers can take their pick from a varied timetable, with around two departures per hour in the morning from around 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and in the evening between 9.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. The first bus from Munich to Cologne leaves just after midnight, while the last one is between 10.00 p.m. and 11.00 p.m. There are departures scheduled in the late afternoon as well, meaning that the journey extends overnight and the arrival is in the small hours of the morning.

Where do buses from Munich to Cologne depart from and arrive to?

Departure bus station: The departure station for most buses from Munich to Cologne is Munich Central Bus Station, abbreviated to ZOB. The station is fairly central, only one stop away by S-Bahn, the overground train, making it possible to reach the city center in around 3 minutes. The Munich Central Bus Station is a modern, vibrant building, accessible by wheelchair, and offering diverse food and drink options, shopping, locker and waiting room facilities, as well as restrooms. Some buses from Munich to Cologne leave from the station Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz, which is farther away from the Munich city center, 30 to 40 minutes by public transport, with changes. This bus terminal is accessible by wheelchair and has a cafeteria, restrooms, lockers, and a heated waiting area during the colder months.

Arrival bus station: The arrival station for all buses from Munich to Cologne is the Cologne Airport station. The travel time to the city center varies between 20 and 50 minutes and involves changing public transport and trains. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, various food and drink options are to be found on-site, and it is accessible to people with disabilities.

Which bus providers travel from Munich to Cologne?

The journey by bus from Munich to Cologne is operated by the company FlixBus, which covers the connecting buses as well if that should be the case with your journey.

FlixBus Munich to Cologne

On the route from Munich to Cologne, FlixBus operates up to 15 departures daily, with the frequency slightly increasing towards the weekend. Most of the buses are direct. The journeys requiring changes includes a waiting time of approximately one hour in the transfer station. 

 Munich to Cologne Bus: Onboard Services

With the FlixBus, there is are no class differentiated seating options but all seats offer plenty of legroom. For a small fee, travelers have the option of choosing their seats. The FlixBus luggage policy states that travelers can take 1 piece of carry-on, like a backpack, and have 2 pieces of checked-in luggage. The carry-on luggage must not exceed 15lbs, while the checked luggage can weigh up to 44lbs. Free WiFi is provided onboard all throughout the trip and there is a restroom available for passengers, but be sure to bring sanitizer, as not all buses have running water. Unfortunately, only Certified Service animals are allowed on the FlixBus. Bikes can be taken on board, as the buses from Munich to Cologne have a special holder. Travelers with limited mobility must contact the provider's Customer Service, at least 7 days prior to the trip. Unfortunately, not all vehicles have the necessary facilities for people using a wheelchair, so special arrangements have to be made. Wheelchairs must have certain features, so be sure to get in contact with FlixBus to set up the final details for your trip by bus from Munich to Cologne.