- Must visit
Museum Ludwig
Modern art museum featuring a vast collection of 20th and 21st-century art, including works by Picasso and Warhol.
Cheapest price
$69
Average price
$81
Fastest journey
12 h 25 m
Average duration
13 h 29 m
Buses per day
11
Distance
743 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Vienna to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Vienna to Cologne will cost around $81 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $69.
Of the 11 buses that leave Vienna for Cologne on Mon, May 18, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, May 18 the direct buses cover the 743 km distance in an average of 13 h 29 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 12 h 25 m .
On Mon, May 18 the slowest buses will take 14 h 45 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+
FlixTrain
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
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FlixBus
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Vienna to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $52. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 35m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $52, and a flight costs an average of $78.
Distance: 461 miles (743 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$79 Average price Cheapest | $166 Average price | $237 Average price | $198 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
11h 48m Average total duration 11h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 24m Average total duration 9h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 35m Average total duration Fastest 2h 35m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 8h 33m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.7 - 1.9kg CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
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 Vienna to Cologne:
A bus is $87 (€70) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Vienna to Cologne costing on average $166 (€134).
A bus is $158 (€128) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Vienna to Cologne costing on average $237 (€191).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 9h 54m.
Bus takes on average 11h 18m.
Tickets start at around $79 (€64) compared to roughly $198 (€160) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $119 (€96). The journey takes 11h 18m versus 8h 33m 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, Union Ivkoni International, BlaBlaCar, Union Ivkoni.
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 02:30AM | Arrival Time 11:10AM | Duration 8h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $71 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:40AM | Arrival Time 05:25PM | Duration 14h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $61 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:00AM | Arrival Time 05:25PM | Duration 14h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $61 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00AM | Arrival Time 01:50PM | Duration 8h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $71 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 8h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $71 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:20AM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 9h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $69 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 14h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:15AM | Arrival Time 02:55AM | Duration 17h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 02:55AM | Duration 16h25 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $66 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:40PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 9h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 10:50PM | Duration 9h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $61 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:35PM | Arrival Time 03:35AM | Duration 13h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 12:40AM | Duration 9h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $71 |
Operator RegioJet a.s. | Departure Time 03:45PM | Arrival Time 08:05AM | Duration 16h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:55PM | Arrival Time 10:00AM | Duration 17h05 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $67 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:55PM | Arrival Time 06:20AM | Duration 12h25 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $66 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 04:20AM | Duration 8h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $71 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 05:10AM | Duration 8h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $71 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:45PM | Arrival Time 01:41PM | Duration 16h56 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 01:41PM | Duration 16h41 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:55PM | Arrival Time 11:45AM | Duration 12h50 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $76 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:25PM | Arrival Time 03:35PM | Duration 16h10 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 03:35PM | Duration 15h50 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $63 |
The table below shows live departures for Vienna to Cologne buses for today, Sunday, May 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 2:35 PM Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) | 13h00 | 3:35 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
(Vienna -> Prague) · (Prague -> Amsterdam) | 3:45 PM Vienna, Central Station Südtiroler Platz | 16h20 | 8:05 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:55 PM Vienna, Central Station Südtiroler Platz | 17h05 | 10:00 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 5:55 PM Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) | 12h25 | 6:20 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus+ FlixTrain | 8:45 PM Vienna, Central Station Südtiroler Platz | 16h56 | 1:41 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus | 10:55 PM Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) | 12h50 | 11:45 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:45 PM Vienna, Central Station Südtiroler Platz | 15h50 | 3:35 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
| Monday, May 18 | |||||
FlixBus | 2:40 AM Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) | 14h45 | 5:25 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:00 AM Vienna, Central Station Südtiroler Platz | 14h25 | 5:25 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 9:15 AM Vienna, Central Station Südtiroler Platz | 17h40 | 2:55 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:30 AM Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) | 16h25 | 2:55 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
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 Vienna to Cologne run on average 9 times per day, taking around 11h 18m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $52 (€42) if you book in advance.
There are 4 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:20, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 461 miles (743 km) distance in 12h 25m.
Distance 461 miles (743 km) |
Average bus duration 11h 18m |
Cheapest ticket price $52 (€42) |
Buses per day 9 |
Direct buses 4 |
Fastest bus 12h 25m |
First bus 12:20 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 56 days |
Discover the best of Cologne — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cologne trip today.
Modern art museum featuring a vast collection of 20th and 21st-century art, including works by Picasso and Warhol.
Museum tracing the history of chocolate from its origins to modern production, with tastings included.
Archaeological museum focusing on Roman and early medieval history in the region.
Modern riverside area featuring contemporary architecture, offices, and cafes.
Trendy neighborhood known for its art scene, boutiques, and nightlife.
Vibrant district famous for street art, multicultural atmosphere, and creative spaces.
A traditional dish made of mashed potatoes and applesauce, often accompanied by black pudding or bratwurst. It's a comforting and classic Cologne staple.
A pot roast marinated in a mixture of vinegar, water, and a variety of seasonings, then slowly cooked. Traditionally made with horse meat, but often beef today.
A rye bread roll served with cheese, onions, mustard, and pickles. An iconic Cologne bar snack.
A beloved local tavern offering classic German dishes and a cozy, rustic vibe. Famous for its pork chops and Kölsch.
A refined dining experience with an extensive selection of local wines, offering both traditional and contemporary German cuisine.
A traditional brewery known for its authentic Kölsch and hearty German fare. Enjoy a casual and lively atmosphere.
Compared to other German cities, Cologne offers moderate prices for accommodation and dining.
5-10% in restaurants, round up in taxis, not expected in cafes.
Official public transport app
Köln ZOB, Cologne -> Köln Hauptbahnhof, Cologne
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Vienna 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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