- Must visit
Hamburger Kunsthalle
One of Germany’s major art museums, spanning medieval to contemporary works in three connected buildings near the main station.
Cheapest price
$37
Average price
$91
Fastest journey
4 h 21 m
Average duration
4 h 21 m
Trains per day
26
Distance
357 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Hbf is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Hbf will cost around $91 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $37.
Of the 26 trains that leave Cologne Hbf for Hamburg Hbf on Sun, May 24, 9 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, May 24 the direct trains cover the 357 km distance in an average of 4 h 21 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 21 m .
On Sun, May 24 the slowest trains will take 4 h 21 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.
26835 · IC 2349 · 4446+
81906
ICE 208+
82014
FlixTrain+
FlixBus
FlixTrain
ICE 618
ICE 206
ICE 612
ICE 514
ICE 518
ICE 618Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Hbf among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $21. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 1m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $21, and a flight costs an average of $253.
Distance: 221 miles (357 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$54 Average price | $37 Average price Cheapest | $723 Average price | $83 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 34m Average total duration 4h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 36m Average total duration 5h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 1m Average total duration Fastest 1h 1m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 57m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Hbf:
A bus is $17 (€14) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Hbf costing on average $54 (€44).
A bus is $686 (€555) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Hbf costing on average $723 (€585).
Other travel options to Hamburg Hbf take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 4m.
Bus takes on average 5h 6m.
The journey is about 53m faster (4h 4m by train vs 4h 57m by car) and roughly $28 (€23) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($54 (€44) vs $83 (€67)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC).
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Hbf trains for today, Saturday, May 23. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 920 | Delayed 12:09 AM 2:09 AMCologne Hbf | 5h30 | 5:10 AM 5:10 AMHamburg Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, May 24 | |||||
ICE 920 | 2:09 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h59 | 7:08 AM Hamburg Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1028 | On time 4:00 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h39 | 8:39 AM Hamburg Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 208+ 82014 | On time 5:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h34 | 9:45 AM Hamburg Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 618 | On time 6:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h21 | 10:32 AM Hamburg Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 206 | On time 7:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h21 | 11:32 AM Hamburg Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 616+ 82020 | On time 8:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h34 | 12:45 PM Hamburg Hbf | 1 transfer | |
FlixTrain | 9:01 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h27 | 1:28 PM Hamburg Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixTrain+ FlixBus | 9:01 AM Cologne Hbf | 5h29 | 2:30 PM Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof | 1 transfer | |
ICE 204+ 82022 | On time 9:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h34 | 1:45 PM Hamburg Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 614+ 82024 | On time 10:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h34 | 2:45 PM Hamburg Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 547 · ICE 682 | On time 10:24 AM Cologne Hbf | 5h12 | 3:36 PM Hamburg Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 202+ 82026 | On time 11:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h34 | 3:45 PM Hamburg Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 612 | On time 12:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h21 | 4:32 PM Hamburg Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 549 · ICE 680 | On time 12:26 PM Cologne Hbf | 5h11 | 5:37 PM Hamburg Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 200+ 82030 | On time 1:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h34 | 5:45 PM Hamburg Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 610+ 82032 | On time 2:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h34 | 6:45 PM Hamburg Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 641 · ICE 588 | On time 2:26 PM Cologne Hbf | 5h11 | 7:37 PM Hamburg Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 108+ 82034 | On time 3:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h34 | 7:45 PM Hamburg Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 518 | On time 4:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h21 | 8:32 PM Hamburg Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 106+ 82038 | On time 5:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h34 | 9:45 PM Hamburg Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 516+ 82000 | On time 6:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h34 | 10:45 PM Hamburg Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 645 · ICE 584 | On time 6:25 PM Cologne Hbf | 5h09 | 11:34 PM Hamburg Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 104 | On time 7:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h28 | 11:39 PM Hamburg Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 514 | On time 8:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h21 | 12:32 AM Hamburg Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
26835 · IC 2349 · 4446+ 81906 | 8:49 PM Cologne Hbf | 9h36 | 6:25 AM Hamburg Hbf | 3 transfers | |
17434 · ICE 528 · 89739 · S1 | 9:21 PM Cologne Hbf | 9h04 | 6:25 AM Hamburg Hbf | 6 transfers | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Hbf run on average 5 times per day, taking around 4h 4m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $22 (€18) but you can travel from only $21 (€17) by bus.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:09, the last at 23:41. The fastest train covers the 221 miles (357 km) distance in 3h 56m.
Distance 221 miles (357 km) |
Average train duration 4h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price $22 (€18) |
Trains per day 5 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 3h 56m |
First train 12:09 AM |
Last train 11:41 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Discover the best of Hamburg — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Hamburg trip today.
One of Germany’s major art museums, spanning medieval to contemporary works in three connected buildings near the main station.
World-famous model railway and miniature world attraction in Speicherstadt, celebrated for detailed engineering and immersive city and landscape scenes.
A leading museum of applied arts and design with fashion, photography, decorative arts, and global cultural collections close to Hamburg Hbf.
Prestigious promenade along the Binnenalster, ideal for strolling, shopping, boat views, and classic central Hamburg city scenes.
Central inner lake framed by elegant streets and waterside paths, one of Hamburg’s defining urban landscapes.
Busy waterfront promenade and transport hub with harbor views, ferries, and classic Hamburg maritime atmosphere.
A classic North German fish sandwich, usually filled with herring, Bismarck herring, salmon, or shrimp. It is a signature quick bite in Hamburg thanks to the city’s maritime heritage.
A traditional sailors’ dish of corned beef, potatoes, and beetroot, typically served with pickled herring and egg. It is one of Hamburg’s best-known historic specialties.
Pan-fried fish, often served with mustard sauce and fried potatoes. This hearty dish is strongly associated with Hamburg and the North German coast.
A renowned fine-dining restaurant in central Hamburg, known for elegant modern cuisine and polished service in a grand hotel setting.
An iconic seafood restaurant with an old-school maritime atmosphere, famous for high-quality fish and shellfish dishes.
A well-known casual local institution, especially popular for generous schnitzel and late-night dining in a simple, no-frills setting.
Moderate for Germany. Budget eats are manageable, but hotels and sit-down dining near the station cost more.
Service is usually included, but rounding up is standard. In restaurants, add about 5-10% for good service. Round up taxi fares. Small tips are optional in cafes and bars.
Official public transport app
Hamburg Hbf -> Hamburg Rathausmarkt
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Hbf 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 Hamburg Hbf, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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