The cheapest and fastest trains from Bologna to Cologne
Cheapest price
$150
Average price
$175
Fastest journey
11 h 13 m
Average duration
11 h 42 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
787 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Bologna to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bologna to Cologne will cost around $175 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $150.
Of the 2 trains that leave Bologna for Cologne on Wed, Jan 07, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jan 07 the direct trains cover the 787 km distance in an average of 11 h 42 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 11 h 13 m .
On Wed, Jan 07 the slowest trains will take 12 h 10 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.




Travel Information
Compare bus, flight, and train for Bologna to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Bologna 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 1h 50m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €52, and a train costs an average of €56.
Distance: 489 miles (787 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
€256 Average price | €221 Average price | €95 Average price Cheapest |
12h 24m Average total duration 11h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 50m Average total duration Fastest 1h 50m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 20h 17m Average total duration 19h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Bologna to Cologne train times
The table below shows live departures for Bologna to Cologne trains for today, Tuesday, January 6. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:52 AM Bologna | 12h14 | 8:06 PM Cologne | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, January 7 | |||||
![]() | 5:45 AM Bologna | 12h10 | 5:55 PM Cologne | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Bologna to Cologne by bus, flight, or train
Compare bus, flight, and train 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.
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Why should you book Bologna to Cologne trains with Omio?
Deutsche Bahn (ICE) operates all train services from Bologna to Cologne. Omio is the only official third party seller for Deutsche Bahn (ICE) tickets.
Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn (ICE)?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Deutsche Bahn (ICE) with all available travel options, which are bus, flight and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Bologna to Cologne.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Official reseller: Deutsche Bahn (ICE) tickets can only be bought on Omio or Deutsche Bahn (ICE)'s website as Omio is the only official third party seller for Deutsche Bahn (ICE) tickets. Trainline, RailEurope, and Rail.Ninja do not sell Deutsche Bahn (ICE) tickets as they are not official sellers.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, flight and train to find the ideal travel option from Bologna to Cologne.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Bologna to Cologne?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Bologna to Cologne
Trains from Bologna to Cologne run on average 3 times per day, taking around 11h 54m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $70 (€56) but you can travel from only $37 (€30) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 00:20, the last at 23:55. The fastest train covers the 489 miles (787 km) distance in 11h 13m.
Distance 489 miles (787 km) |
Average train duration 11h 54m |
Cheapest ticket price $70 (€56) |
Trains per day 3 |
Fastest train 11h 13m |
First train 00:20 |
Last train 23:55 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn from Bologna to Cologne trainsDeutsche Bahn trains will get you between Bologna and Cologne from $37 (€30). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Deutsche Bahn
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.
FAQs: Trains from Bologna to Cologne
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bologna to Cologne by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cologne, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Bologna to Cologne
- Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi.
- Luggage facility, open daily from 07:00 to 22:00, is located in front of binario 7 Ovest (Track 7 West).
- Burger King
- A Cafè
- VyTA Boulangerie
- Venchi
- Scambio
- Juice Bar
- KFC
- Dispensa Emilia
- Lavazza
- Mokà
- & more
- Accessible facilities including barrier-free restrooms, elevators and ramps. Sala Blu mobility assistance available from 07:45 to 22:30 with advanced one-hour notice.
- Starhotels Excelsior
- Millenn Hotel Bologna
- UNA Hotels
- Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 21:00
- Customer service center is on the ground floor and open every day from 06:30 to 23:00.
- Bus lines: 21, 25, 30, 36, 61, 62, 77, BLQ
- Monorail lines: Marconi Express
- Train lines: FR, FA, FB, IC, ICN, R, Italo, ÖBB EC, EN
- Mon - Fri: 06:00 - 21:00
- Sat - Sun: 07:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only.
- There are luggage lockers in the station.
- asiagourmet
- Coffee Fellows
- dean&david
- Dunkin' Donuts
- KFC
- McDonald's
- Pizza Hut
- Nordsee
- Starbucks
- Schweinske
- & more
- Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
- Wyndham Koeln
- Hilton Cologne
- Excelsior Hotel Ernst
- One near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5.
- Monday: 06:00 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Thursday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Saturday: 08:00 - 17:00
- Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00
- Imbiss Athena
- Arena Grill
- Cafe Especial
- Joe Champs
- Pension Helenenwall
- Zur guten Quelle
- Zum Goldenen Hut
- Merlin
- Monday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Tuesday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Wednesday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Thursday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Friday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Saturday: 09:00 13:30 - 13:00 16:00
- Sunday: 12:00 16:00 - 15:30 20:00
- Café Bistro Leysieffer
- Mishba
- Ständige Vertretung
- Kamps
More options for your journey from Bologna to Cologne
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