The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne to Brussels
Cheapest price
$62
Average price
$102
Fastest journey
1 h 52 m
Average duration
1 h 52 m
Trains per day
13
Distance
183 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne to Brussels is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Brussels will cost around $102 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $62.
Of the 13 trains that leave Cologne for Brussels on Sat, Jan 03, 13 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jan 03 the direct trains cover the 183 km distance in an average of 1 h 52 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 52 m .
On Sat, Jan 03 the slowest trains will take 1 h 52 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 18
ICE 318
ICE 316
ICE 12
ICE 10
ICE 18
ICE 12
ICE 10
ICE 16
9474Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Cologne to Brussels
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Brussels among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €13. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 11m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €13, and a flight costs an average of €369.
Distance: 113 miles (183 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€67 Average price | €22 Average price Cheapest | €671 Average price |
2h 41m Average total duration Fastest 2h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 58m Average total duration 3h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 4m Average total duration 9h 4m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Cologne to Brussels train times
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Brussels trains for today, Friday, January 2. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9414 | 5:39 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h56 | 7:35 AM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
9426 | 7:39 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h56 | 9:35 AM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 316 | On time 8:41 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h54 | 10:35 AM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
9438 | 9:39 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h56 | 11:35 AM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 16 | On time 10:43 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h52 | 12:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
9450 | 11:39 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h56 | 1:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
9474 | 3:43 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h52 | 5:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
9486 | 5:44 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h51 | 7:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cologne to Brussels 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.
Jan 02
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Why should you book Cologne to Brussels trains with Omio?
Deutsche Bahn (ICE,RE,IC) as well as Eurostar and Österreichische Bundesbahnen offer trains services from Cologne to Brussels. Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cologne to Brussels.
Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn (ICE,RE,IC)?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn (ICE,RE,IC), but also compare tickets for the likes of Eurostar and Österreichische Bundesbahnen to find the best option for your trip from Cologne to Brussels.
- 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,RE,IC) with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cologne to Brussels.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Multiple travel company options: While Deutsche Bahn (ICE,RE,IC) tickets can be bought on Deutsche Bahn (ICE,RE,IC)'s website or third party sellers, Omio allows you to compare with the likes of Eurostar and Österreichische Bundesbahnen to help you choose the right option for your journey from Cologne to Brussels.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Cologne to Brussels.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Cologne to Brussels?
ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Cologne to Brussels

Journey information
Overview: Train from Cologne to Brussels
Trains from Cologne to Brussels run on average 8 times per day, taking around 2h 11m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $24 (€19) but you can travel from only $16 (€13) by bus.
There are 7 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:10, the last at 23:01. The fastest train covers the 113 miles (183 km) distance in 1h 49m.
Distance 113 miles (183 km) |
Average train duration 2h 11m |
Cheapest ticket price $24 (€19) |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 7 |
Fastest train 1h 49m |
First train 00:10 |
Last train 23:01 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar, Österreichische Bundesbahnen from Cologne to Brussels trainsDeutsche Bahn, Eurostar, Österreichische Bundesbahnen trains will get you between Cologne and Brussels from $16 (€13). 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.
Eurostar
Österreichische Bundesbahnen
Train tickets from Cologne to Brussels: when to book to save $
The rule of buying in advance to save money is not only valid when booking a flight but also for train travel. Train tickets are generally on sale 6 months before the departure date. Some train booking tips from us:
- Buying your train ticket from Cologne - Brussels 3 weeks in advance means you can save on average up to 26% compared to the price available on the day of departure.
- If you book a ticket Cologne - Brussels with 2 months in advance you save up to about 39% compared to the initial price.
- By booking 3 months in advance, you could save up to 44%.
- On Omio you can find all offers, train times and prices for train travel in Europe, the U.S., and Canada.
FAQs: Trains from Cologne to Brussels
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Brussels 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 Brussels, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Cologne to Brussels
- 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 - 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: 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
- Mon - Sun: 05:45 - 21:30
- Wi-Fi is available for a fee.
- Baggage storage facility is located across from the Thalys business lounge.
- Pullman Hotel Bar
- Quick Gare du Midi
- Subway
- EXKi Zuid
- Starbucks
- Häagen-Dazs
- Sbarro
- The Coffee Club
- The Belgian Chocolate House
- PAUL
- & many more
- Station has a wide range of facilities for passengers with reduced mobility: elevators and escalators to all platforms, wheelchair lifts and mobile ramps, disabled toilet and parking spaces. Additional assistance can be contacted via the SNCB Mobility Call Center.
- Les Lofts De Styliste
- Park Inn by Radisson Brussels Midi
- Pullman Brussels Centre Midi
- Located in the main concourse and next to the international platforms.
- Mon - Sun: 06:15 - 22:00
- Free Wi-Fi available in Starbucks.
- Luggage lockers are located on Level 0 near Platforms 1 and 2.
- Starbucks
- Brasserie 28 Brewery
- Panos
- Delitraiteur Eat & Go
- Station has a wide range of facilities for passengers with limited mobility: elevators and escalators to platforms, wheelchair lifts and mobile ramps, barrier-free toilets and accessible parking spaces. Additional assistance can be contacted via the SNCB Mobility Call Center.
- Hilton Brussels Grand Palace
- Hotel NH Brussels Carrefour de l'Europe
- Hôtel The Moon
- Mon - Sun: 06:15 - 22:00
- Travel Center / information desk is located on the left side from the main entrance.
- Metro lines: 1, 5
- Train lines: IC, Intercity Direct 9200, RER (S1, S2, S3, S6, S8, S10)
- 6:30 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week. Access is available via Rue du Progrès.
- Chabrol Brasserie
- Winok Café
- Félix Wine Bar
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- €0.50
- Hotel Progress
- Hilton Brussels City
- Hotel Siru
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-6 for international and intercity trains
- Hall 2: platform 7-12 for regional and local trains
- Metro: Line 3, Line 4
- Tram: Line 25, Line 55
- Bus: Several lines available
More options for your journey from Cologne to Brussels
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