Cologne to Dortmund train with Deutsche Bahn (ICE,RE,IC,EC,RB)

Scan to get our free app

Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.

App Store

4.9

42K ratings

Google Play

4.6

136K reviews

The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne to Dortmund

Showing times and prices for Apr 30

Cheapest price

$19

Average price

$36

Fastest journey

1 h 10 m

Average duration

1 h 15 m

Trains per day

Distance

74 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne to Dortmund is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Cologne to Dortmund will cost around $36 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $19.

Fast trains

Of the 6 trains that leave Cologne for Dortmund every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Wed, Apr 30 the direct trains cover the 74 km distance in an average of 1 h 15 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 10 m .

The slowest trains will take 1 h 19 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.

FlixTrain

04:14PM1h15

Cologne Hbf

05:29PMDortmund Hbf

$191One-way

0 transfers

FlixTrain

08:14AM1h15

Cologne Hbf

09:29AMDortmund Hbf

$191One-way

0 transfers

RE 26811

08:49AM1h25

Cologne Hbf

10:14AMDortmund Hbf

$341One-way

0 transfers

ICE 616

08:11AM1h10

Cologne Hbf

09:21AMDortmund Hbf

$421One-way

0 transfers

ICE 545

08:26AM1h19

Cologne Hbf

09:45AMDortmund Hbf

$511One-way

0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Cologne to Dortmund

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Dortmund among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €4. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 19m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg.

Compare train with

Most popular Train	Bus
€17 Average price	€8 Average price Cheapest
1h 49m Average duration Fastest 1h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	3h 16m Average duration 2h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time*
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest	0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions
Direct Options	Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Cologne to Dortmund train times

Showing trains for tomorrow, Wednesday, April 30

Last updated at 9:32 PM

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Transfers
ICE 616	On time 6:11 AM Cologne Hbf	1h10	7:21 AM Dortmund Hbf	0 transfersDirect
FlixTrain	6:14 AM Cologne Hbf	1h15	7:29 AM Dortmund Hbf	0 transfersDirect
ICE 824 · RE 26711	On time 6:17 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz	1h18	7:35 AM Dortmund Hbf	1 transfer
ICE 545	On time 6:26 AM Cologne Hbf	1h19	7:45 AM Dortmund Hbf	0 transfersDirect
RE 26811	On time 6:49 AM Cologne Hbf	1h25	8:14 AM Dortmund Hbf	0 transfersDirect
FlixTrain	2:14 PM Cologne Hbf	1h15	3:29 PM Dortmund Hbf	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 Dortmund by train or bus

Wed
Apr 30

Thu
May 01

Fri
May 02

Sat
May 03

Sun
May 04

Mon
May 05

Tue
May 06

Wed
May 07

Thu
May 08

Fri
May 09

Sat
May 10

Sun
May 11

Mon
May 12

Tue
May 13

Wed
May 14

Thu
May 15

Fri
May 16

Sat
May 17

Sun
May 18

Mon
May 19

Tue
May 20

How far in advance should I book train tickets from Cologne to Dortmund?

The best time to book your train from Cologne to Dortmund is 7 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Cologne to Dortmund route.

Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Cologne to Dortmund per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Cologne to Dortmund.

Trains

from $15

Buses

from $9

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Cologne to Dortmund

The customer opinion was acquired via Cimenio. Cimenio incentivises its users for giving an honest opinion and proving the booking with a photo of the travel ticket.

Pros

On time

Friendly

Air conditioning

Cons

Expensive

Wifi did not work properly

I was travelling from Cologne to Dortmund on business. As soon as I got on the train, I knew the journey was going to be good. The air conditioning was on. That made me very happy at first, because it was almost 30 degrees outside. When I got on, I looked for my reserved seat. I can only recommend everyone to reserve a seat. That way, travelling is also fun. The train was pretty full, so otherwise you would have had to stand. The ticket inspector was friendly and unobtrusive. He just checked quickly and moved on. There is always a socket in the middle between the double seats so you can charge your smartphone. The table was clean and I was able to eat my breakfast without having to drive myself. Unfortunately, the ride wasn't cheap and the wifi worked but was so bad that I preferred to go through my own data volume. On the whole, I prefer to travel by train rather than by car. There's less stress and you can eat your bread in a relaxed way.

Pros

Speed

Cons

None

I travelled from Cologne main station to Dortmund main station on 24 May with the ICE 616. The journey was quite quick, only took about 1 hour and was on time both on departure and arrival. The cleanliness was very pleasant, even without a seat reservation you got a seat and the conductor was also very friendly. As the same route by car would have taken much longer at this time, I can only recommend the trip.

Pros

Comfort

Cons

Punctuality

Yesterday I travelled with the ICE 616 from Cologne main station to Dortmund main station and unfortunately the train was delayed by about 20 minutes. These 20 minutes meant that I missed a connecting bus. Apart from the delay, however, the journey was relatively pleasant, everything was clean and the conductor very polite, I am also convinced of the price-performance ratio.

Pros

High comfort

good internet

Cons

Slight delay

We travelled from Cologne to Dortmund at the beginning of the year on the ICE train operated by Deutsche Bahn. Overall, I was very satisfied with the journey and give it a rating of four out of five stars. The train arrived on time at Cologne Central Station and boarding was smooth. The ICE trains are always impressive and this one was no exception. The interior was modern and comfortable. The seats were comfortable and offered enough legroom. There were power sockets on the train, and good internet. There was also plenty of storage space for luggage, which is always a plus. The journey was mostly quiet and pleasant. The staff were friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, there was a short delay during the journey, which led to a slight delay. However, there was a clear announcement from the staff informing us of the reason for the delay and apologising for the inconvenience. Overall, I can recommend ICE travel from Cologne to Dortmund. Most aspects of the journey were very positive and I felt comfortable during the journey.

Pros

No delay

Clean

Fixed place

Cons

According to

Online Check In

The train journey was very quick. It was great that the train was not delayed at all. There was no stop between Cologne and Dortmund, so even the journey felt very fast. I booked a fixed seat beforehand. The seat was free and I was able to sit down. The seat was very clean, the power sockets at the seat worked for us. I could use the wifi without any problems. Before taking my seat, I went to the toilets. Everything was very clean there too. The journey itself was much cheaper than the regional train. Unfortunately, the online check-in function did not work. So I had to present my ticket again. It was very noisy in the carriage, the train was fully booked. For this reason, I used headphones. This allowed me to make the journey comfortably.

Pros

On time and without changing trains

Comfortable seats with sufficient power sockets and internet

Train was clean and quiet and not so crowded

Catering facilities also available

Cons

Conductor was unfriendly

The train from Cologne to Dortmund was relatively empty and therefore very quiet. The seats on the train were very comfortable and there were power sockets and an internet connection. However, the conductor did not make such a friendly impression. He checked the tickets without saying a word. Otherwise, the train and the toilets were very clean and there was a snack machine for refreshments. All in all, it was a good journey for me as the train was on time and I didn't have to change trains.

Pros

Attractive price and very fast

Cons

None

The train connection was very punctual. The train departed and arrived in Dortmund at exactly the scheduled time, which made for a stress-free journey, and the cleanliness of the train was generally very good. The seats and floor were clean and the litter bins were emptied regularly. The train offered power sockets at almost every seat, which was extremely convenient for business travellers and travellers with electronic devices, the train connection was very accessible. Wheelchair users and travellers with reduced mobility had no problems getting on and off the train. The WCs on the train were averagely clean, but there were moments when they seemed to be slipping a little. Overall, the train journey was a very positive experience. The punctuality and accessibility were particularly impressive.

Pros

Price

Cons

Volume

Hygiene

Unpunctual

I travelled from Cologne to Dortmund for a football match. It is probably due to the occasion that this rating is so poor. The hygienic conditions on the train were subterranean. It stank, people were drunk and there was vomit in every corner. Unfortunately, one train was also cancelled. And the next train was really late. There were far too few seats as everything was so filthy. So I actually had to stand for the whole journey. As always, the only good thing is the price.

Pros

wifi

Cleanliness

Cons

Delay

I travelled from Cologne to Dortmund by train. Unfortunately, the train arrived 30 minutes late. Otherwise, however, the train made a clean and well-kept impression both inside and out. The service staff on board were very friendly and helpful. The wifi offered worked perfectly, as did the sockets. The sanitary facilities were clean and I would therefore recommend Deutsche Bahn to others

Pros

Cleanliness

Personnel

Internet

Cons

Punctuality

Catering

Seats

I travelled on the ICE 914 from Cologne to Dortmund on business. It was easy to make a reservation in advance, which I did a few days before departure. Unfortunately, the train was quite late, which of course completely disrupted the timetable. The staff and cleanliness on the train were absolutely great. Unfortunately, I didn't like the catering at all, it was very expensive and looked very unappetising. Charging facilities were available and worked without any problems. Likewise the wifi.

Pros

Fast drive

No change

Cons

Weak wifi

What I didn't like about this journey was that the wifi was quite weak. Nevertheless, I liked the fact that the ticket was easy to buy and cheap. I also liked the fact that I didn't have to change trains and that the train wasn't delayed. Another point is that I reached my destination quickly and the journey was very comfortable.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Cologne to Dortmund

Germany

Trains from Cologne to Dortmund run on average 11 times per day, taking around 1h 19m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $5 (€4) if you book in advance.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.

Price information

Distance

45 miles (73 km)

Average train duration

1h 19m

Cheapest ticket price

$5 (€4)

Trains per day

Direct trains

Train providers

Fastest train

1h 5m

First train

05:13

Last train

22:49

Price information

Train providers: Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain and National Express from Cologne to Dortmund trains

Buy your official Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain and National Express train tickets to Dortmund from Cologne from $6 (€5) with Omio. Find train times and tickets for over 1000 travel companies to compare and book the most convenient trip.

Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany’s main provider of train services and makes on average about 40,000 domestic and international journeys per day. Deutsche Bahn’s fleet of trains includes the high-speed ICE (Intercity Express) as well as the IC (Intercity), EC (Eurocity), IRE (Interregio-Express), RE (Regional Express) and RB (Regionalbahn), which differ in terms of comfort and the time needed to travel. For example, while toilets are standard amenities, services like onboard restaurants or free WiFi are only available on certain train types and routes. Deutsche Bahn is well-known for its wide range of fares like Super Saver, Saver, and Flexible and discount cards like the Bahncard 25, 50 and 100, which you can also use for your Cologne to Dortmund train.

Train information from Cologne to Dortmund with Deutsche Bahn:

Average Duration: 1 h 9 min
Cheapest Price: $12
Deutsche Bahn frequency: 23 a day

Flixtrain GmbH is a German railway company owned by Flixmobility. FlixTrain already connects many cities in Germany with its green trains. The trains run on 100 percent renewable energy. Onboard facilities: FlixTrain trains are equipped with air conditioning, toilets, USB and sockets and have plenty of legroom. You will find free WiFi on most trains and a range of food and drinks is available. There is a standard ticket that guarantees you a seat. You can take luggage with you free of charge, provided it can be stowed in the luggage racks. Find the current FlixTrain timetable for your train between Cologne and Dortmund at Omio and easily book FlixTrain train tickets online.

Cologne to Dortmund train information with FlixTrain:

Average Duration: 1 h 6 min
Cheapest Price: $6

National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance train company operating over 550 trains per day and serving over 900 destinations across the UK. National Express also operates train services to all major UK airports, such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and Bristol, 24 hours a day. All National Express trains have air conditioning and provide free WiFi access along with onboard entertainment. Most trains come with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, so you can charge your phone or laptop during a long journey. For your train to Dortmund from Cologne, you can select from three ticket fares: Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare.

Train information from Cologne to Dortmund with National Express:

Average Duration: 1 h 20 min
Cheapest Price: $32
National Express frequency: 26 a day

Traveling by train from Cologne to Dortmund

The train connection between Cologne and Dortmund is well-served by reliable providers such as Deutsche Bahn and FlixTrain. With frequent services throughout the day, travelers can enjoy a comfortable journey that typically takes around 1 hour. Whether you're heading to explore the vibrant culture of Dortmund or experiencing the historic charm of Cologne, these trains offer an efficient way to travel between these two dynamic cities in Germany.

Train Connection: Cologne to Dortmund

The train connection between Cologne and Dortmund is direct, with a travel duration of 1 hour and 6 minutes. There are up to 25 connections available each day, providing ample options for travelers. The departure stations include Köln-Ehrenfeld, Köln-Mülheim, Köln Hbf, Köln Messe/Deutz, and Köln/Bonn Flughafen; the arrival station is Dortmund Hbf.

Cologne to Dortmund Train Connection

The first daily train journey from Cologne to Dortmund departs at 06:00, providing an early start for travelers looking to explore the vibrant city of Dortmund. The last train leaves at 21:49, allowing visitors ample time in both cities before returning in the evening.

Train Tickets Price for Cologne to Dortmund

The cheapest ticket price for the train connection between Cologne and Dortmund is €5. The average ticket price typically hovers around €15, making it an affordable option for travelers looking to explore these vibrant German cities.

Exploring Dortmund: A Journey Through History and Passion

Welcome to Signal Iduna Park, also known as Westfalenstadion, the largest stadium in Germany and a true fortress of football. Opened in 1974, it has witnessed countless thrilling matches and is home to Borussia Dortmund, where passionate fans create an electrifying atmosphere that’s unmatched anywhere else. One unique feature you’ll love is the famous "Yellow Wall," a standing terrace that can hold over 25,000 supporters—an experience every football fan should witness at least once.

Next on our journey is Reinoldikirche, or St. Reinold's Church—a stunning example of Gothic architecture dating back to the 13th century. This historic church not only serves as a spiritual center but also stands as a symbol of resilience through its survival during World War II bombings. Be sure to admire its striking tower which offers panoramic views of Dortmund; climbing up there provides both breathtaking sights and insight into the city’s rich history.

Finally, we arrive at the iconic Dortmund U-Tower—once an industrial brewery turned cultural hub that embodies innovation and creativity today. Completed in 1928 for Union Brewery Company operations, this landmark now houses art exhibitions and creative spaces while showcasing modern design elements alongside its historical roots. Don’t miss out on visiting the rooftop terrace for spectacular views across Dortmund—it perfectly encapsulates how tradition meets contemporary culture right here!

FAQs: Trains from Cologne to Dortmund

FAQs: Travel by train from Cologne to Dortmund easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Cologne to Dortmund.

Cheap train tickets from Cologne to Dortmund can start from as little as $7 (€6) when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Cologne to Dortmund is $13 (€11); however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.

On average the Cologne to Dortmund train travel time is 1 h 7 min for the 45 mile (73 km) long journey, but the duration can vary if you travel on weekends and holidays.

The first train from Cologne to Dortmund leaves at 12: 01 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.

The last train from Cologne to Dortmund leaves at 11: 58 PM.

Yes, it is possible to travel from Cologne to Dortmund without having to change trains with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain or National Express. There are 11 direct trains from Cologne to Dortmund each day. There may be fewer direct services available on weekends or holidays.

For the best Cologne to Dortmund train to buy, you can travel safely and comfortably with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain or National Express. However, it's always good to check all possible train providers with services from Cologne to Dortmund to compare what amenities they may offer.

No, there are no night trains, the latest train for this route is 11: 58 PM.

Passengers board the train most frequently from Cologne Hbf, which is located around 1.6 miles (2.5 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Dortmund Hbf, located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away from the city centre.

A day trip to Dortmund from Cologne is worth doing with a journey time of 1 h 7 min each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.

The cheapest month for a train from Cologne to Dortmund is October.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel to Dortmund from Cologne including taking a train or bus.

Popular train stations from Cologne to Dortmund

Cologne

Dortmund

The major train station for departures in Cologne is Köln-Mülheim . Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Köln-Mülheim for your trip from Cologne to Dortmund.

Köln-Mülheim Wifi