- Must visit
Hamburger Kunsthalle
Internationally respected art museum with major works from medieval altarpieces to modern masters. Essential for art lovers in Hamburg.
Cheapest price on Sep 08
$20
Average ticket price on Sep 08
$33
Fastest journey on Sep 08
6 h 40 m
Average journey duration on Sep 08
7 h 11 m
Buses on Sep 08
5
Distance
360 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cologne to Hamburg is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Hamburg will cost around $33 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $20.
On Tue, Sep 08, we found 5 buses from Cologne to Hamburg, including 3 direct services.
On Tue, Sep 08 the direct buses cover the 360 km distance in an average of 7 h 11 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 40 m .
On Tue, Sep 08 the slowest buses will take 7 h 30 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.
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FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Hamburg among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $31 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 22m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $31, while a flight costs an average of $577.
Distance: 223 miles (360 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$31 Average price Cheapest | $67 Average price | $577 Average price | $78 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 44m Average total duration 7h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 44m Average total duration 4h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 22m Average total duration Fastest 2h 22m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 52m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.1 - 2.2kg 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 Cologne to Hamburg:
A bus is $35 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Hamburg costing on average $67.
A bus is $546 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Hamburg costing on average $577.
Other travel options to Hamburg take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 14m.
Bus takes on average 7h 14m.
Tickets start at around $31 compared to roughly $78 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $47. The journey takes 7h 14m versus 4h 52m 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 FlixBus | Departure Time 04:05AM | Arrival Time 10:45AM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 11:00AM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:50AM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:14AM | Arrival Time 03:35PM | Duration 7h21 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:10AM | Arrival Time 01:50PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:40AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:14PM | Arrival Time 07:20PM | Duration 7h06 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 3h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:40PM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 3h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 05:30PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:20PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:10PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:05PM | Arrival Time 11:35PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:14PM | Arrival Time 11:35PM | Duration 7h21 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 09:10PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 11:20PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 11:40PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:20PM | Arrival Time 02:40AM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:35PM | Arrival Time 06:40AM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $28 |
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Hamburg buses for today, Monday, September 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 4:05 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 7h30 | 11:35 PM Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 11:35 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 7h05 | 6:40 AM Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, September 8 | |||||
FlixBus | 4:05 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 6h40 | 10:45 AM Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixTrain+ FlixBus | 8:14 AM Cologne Hbf | 7h21 | 3:35 PM Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof | 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 Cologne to Hamburg run on average 2 times per day, taking around 7h 14m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $13 but you can travel from only $9 by train.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:10, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 223 miles (360 km) distance in 6h 30m.
Distance 223 miles (360 km) |
Average bus duration 7h 14m |
Cheapest ticket price $13 |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 6h 30m |
First bus 12:10 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 70 days |
Discover the best of Hamburg — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Hamburg trip today.
Internationally respected art museum with major works from medieval altarpieces to modern masters. Essential for art lovers in Hamburg.
Large railway model world with intricate miniature cities, airports, and landscapes. Technically not a museum, but one of Hamburg’s top attractions.
Contemporary art museum in a former market hall, showing ambitious international exhibitions. A strong choice for modern art and photography.
Historic lakeside promenade and central square, ideal for people-watching, shopping, and views over the Inner Alster and city skyline.
Harborfront district with piers, ferries, and fish market atmosphere. A lively base for boat trips and classic views of the port.
Lakeside quarter around the Outer Alster, popular for strolling, sailing views, and elegant residential scenery close to the city center.
A rich fish soup from the old port, made with several fish species, vegetables and broth. It reflects Hamburg’s long maritime and fishing tradition.
Pan-fried fillet of North Sea plaice, often served with bacon, potatoes and salad. A classic Northern German fish dish common in Hamburg.
A sweet yeast pastry shaped like a knot, traditionally baked in Hamburg and often enjoyed with coffee. It is a long-standing local bakery specialty.
Two-Michelin-star dining with modern, highly refined tasting menus and polished service in an elegant setting near the Inner Alster.
Historic fish hall on the Elbe known for fresh seafood platters, harbour views and classic Hamburg maritime atmosphere.
Beloved traditional inn serving robust Northern German classics such as Labskaus in a cozy, old-Hamburg setting.
Moderate for Germany: hotels can be pricey in peak season, but dining and transit are reasonable versus major Western European capitals.
Service is often included, but rounding up or tipping 5-10% is common in restaurants. Round up taxi fares, and leave small change in cafes.
Official public transport app
Hamburg Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof -> Hamburg Hauptbahnhof
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Hamburg 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 Hamburg, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cologne to Hamburg buses use the Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) to Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof station pair, with some services arriving at Hamburg, S Hamburg Airport. Use this guide to compare Cologne and Hamburg bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
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.
Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof is 2 km from Hamburg city centre. Public transport options include:
Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria im ZOB (in the station), Burger Lounge (0.3 km), Café Paris (0.5 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and inside the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof.
Available at Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof: Elevators, ramps.
Hamburg, S Hamburg Airport is 6 km from Hamburg city centre. Public transport options include:
Hamburg, S Hamburg Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Several dining options available in the airport.
Free Wi-Fi available in designated areas. ATMs are aTMs available in the terminal.
Ticket office support is available at Hamburg, S Hamburg Airport.
Available at Hamburg, S Hamburg Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Hamburg, S Hamburg Airport: Elevators and ramps available for accessibility.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need