The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne Hbf to Munich
Cheapest price
$115
Average price
$176
Fastest journey
4 h 15 m
Average duration
4 h 18 m
Trains per day
37
Distance
456 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne Hbf to Munich 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 Munich will cost around $176 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $115.
Of the 37 trains that leave Cologne Hbf for Munich on Thu, May 07, 10 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, May 07 the direct trains cover the 456 km distance in an average of 4 h 18 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 15 m .
On Thu, May 07 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.
ICE 1640 · ICE 6156:53 PM5h36Cologne Hbf12:29 AMMunich Hbf$1151One-way1 transfer
ICE 205 · ICE 1021 · ICE 10818:54 PM9h32Cologne Hbf6:26 AMMunich Hbf$1301One-way2 transfers
ICE 6157:54 PM4h35Cologne Hbf12:29 AMMunich Hbf$1301One-way0 transfers
ICE 1225 · ICE 12559:53 AM5h47Cologne Hbf3:40 PMMunich Hbf$1441One-way1 transfer
ICE 1644 · ICE 51912:53 PM5h36Cologne Hbf6:29 PMMunich Hbf$1441One-way1 transfer
ICE 9115:25 AM4h15Cologne Hbf9:40 AMMunich Hbf$1731One-way0 transfers
ICE 109 · ICE 5992:54 PM4h18Cologne Hbf7:12 PMMunich Hbf$2021One-way1 transfer
10909 · ICE 9159:22 AM4h18Cologne Hbf1:40 PMMunich Hbf$2081One-way1 transfer
17406 · ICE 9137:21 AM4h19Cologne Hbf11:40 AMMunich Hbf$1791One-way1 transfer
ICE 201 · ICE 6914:54 PM4h21Cologne Hbf9:15 PMMunich Hbf$2021One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Cologne Hbf to Munich
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne Hbf to Munich among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $24. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 5m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $24, and a flight costs an average of $50.
Distance: 283 miles (456 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$55 Average price | $43 Average price Cheapest | $219 Average price | $100 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 29m Average total duration 4h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 58m Average total duration 8h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 5m Average total duration Fastest 1h 5m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 35m 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 Munich:
A bus is $12 (€9) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne Hbf to Munich costing on average $55 (€44).
A bus is $176 (€140) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne Hbf to Munich costing on average $219 (€175).
Other travel options to Munich take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 59m.
Bus takes on average 8h 28m.
The journey is about 36m faster (4h 59m by train vs 5h 35m by car) and roughly $45 (€36) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($55 (€44) vs $100 (€80)). 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.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
Live departures
Cologne Hbf to Munich train times
The table below shows live departures for Cologne Hbf to Munich trains for today, Wednesday, May 6. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 201 · ICE 691 | Delayed 3:21 PM 4:54 PMCologne Hbf | 4h21 | 9:15 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
28526 · ICE 727 | On time 5:31 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h45 | 10:16 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 929 · ICE 1015 | On time 5:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 5h48 | 11:41 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 613 | Delayed 4:03 PM 5:54 PMCologne Hbf | 4h35 | 10:29 PM Munich Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1640 · ICE 615 | On time 6:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 5h52 | 12:45 AM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 203 · ICE 693 | Delayed 4:56 PM 6:54 PMCologne Hbf | 4h21 | 11:15 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 615 | On time 7:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h51 | 12:45 AM Munich Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 619 | On time 11:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 6h47 | 6:41 AM Munich Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, May 7 | |||||
ICE 827 | On time 3:21 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h52 | 8:13 AM Munich Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
25407 · ICE 921 · ICE 571 · ICE 267 | 3:56 AM Cologne Hbf | 6h53 | 10:49 AM Munich Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 521 | On time 4:28 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h45 | 9:13 AM Munich Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 911 | On time 5:25 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h15 | 9:40 AM Munich Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
17406 · ICE 913 | On time 7:21 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h19 | 11:40 AM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1713 · ICE 527 | On time 7:33 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h39 | 12:12 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 25 · ICE 915 | On time 7:53 AM Cologne Hbf | 5h47 | 1:40 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 513 | On time 7:54 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h35 | 12:29 PM Munich Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
28508 · ICE 529 | On time 8:31 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h41 | 1:12 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
10909 · ICE 915 | On time 9:22 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h18 | 1:40 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
28510 · ICE 621 | On time 9:31 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h41 | 2:12 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1225 · ICE 1255 | On time 9:53 AM Cologne Hbf | 5h47 | 3:40 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 515 | On time 9:54 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h35 | 2:29 PM Munich Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
28512 · ICE 623 | On time 10:31 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h41 | 3:12 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
28514 · ICE 625 | On time 11:31 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h42 | 4:13 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 517 | On time 11:54 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h35 | 4:29 PM Munich Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
28516 · ICE 627 | On time 12:31 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h42 | 5:13 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1644 · ICE 519 | On time 12:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 5h36 | 6:29 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 107 · ICE 597 | On time 12:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h22 | 5:16 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
28518 · ICE 629 | On time 1:31 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h41 | 6:12 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 519 | On time 1:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h35 | 6:29 PM Munich Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
IC 1946 · ICE 611 | On time 2:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 5h39 | 8:32 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 109 · ICE 599 | On time 2:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h18 | 7:12 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 927 · ICE 1013 | 3:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 5h47 | 9:40 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 611 | 3:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h38 | 8:32 PM Munich Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
IC 1948 · ICE 613 | 4:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 5h36 | 10:29 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 201 · ICE 691 | On time 4:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h21 | 9:15 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cologne Hbf to Munich by train, bus, or flight
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.
May 07
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May 22
May 23
May 24
May 25
May 26
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Why should you book Cologne Hbf to Munich trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn, but also compare tickets for the likes of Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) or Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) to find the best option for your trip from Cologne Hbf to Munich.
- 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 with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cologne Hbf to Munich.
Why book with Omio over Trainline or Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Cologne Hbf to Munich.
ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Cologne Hbf to Munich

Journey information
Overview: Train from Cologne Hbf to Munich
Trains from Cologne Hbf to Munich run on average 15 times per day, taking around 4h 59m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $19 (€15) if you book in advance.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 02:11, the last at 23:29. The fastest train covers the 283 miles (456 km) distance in 4h 15m.
Distance 283 miles (456 km) |
Average train duration 4h 59m |
Cheapest ticket price $19 (€15) |
Trains per day 15 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 4h 15m |
First train 2:11 AM |
Last train 11:29 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) from Cologne Hbf to Munich trainsDeutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) trains will get you between Cologne Hbf and Munich from $19 (€15). 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.
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)
FAQs: Trains from Cologne Hbf to Munich
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne Hbf to Munich 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 Munich, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Cologne Hbf to Munich
- 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.
- Mon - Sun: 07:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes.
- The station has luggage lockers.
- Cantina Estación Mediterrano
- Rischart Bakery
- Ditsch Pretzels
- backWERK
- Cafe-Shop
- Le Crobag
- Yorma's
- Coffee Fellows
- Dunkin Donuts
- McDonald's
- & many more
- Accessibility equipment, elevators, & mobility service. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
- a&o München Hauptbahnhof
- IntercityHotel München
- Sofitel Munich Bayerpost
- There is an information desk located on the main concourse near the food court.
- Monday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Tuesday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Wednesday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Thursday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Saturday: 08:00 - 18:00
- Sunday: 08:00 - 18:00
- Burger King
- McDonald's
- Hunsinger in der Goldenen Gans
- Orexi Taverna
- Guenstigwohnen24.de
- Jagdschloss Residenz
- Hotel Miano
- Monday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Tuesday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Wednesday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Thursday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Saturday: 08:00 - 18:00
- Sunday: 08:00 - 18:00
- Haidhauser Augustiner
- Burger King
- Tassilogarten
- Mitani
- Hilton Munich City
- MOMA1890
- Mk Hotel
- Hotel Pension Christl
More options for your journey from Cologne Hbf to Munich
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