- Must visit
Holstentor Museum
Museum inside Lübeck's famous gate, presenting the city's Hanseatic history and fortifications. Essential for context before exploring the old town.
Cheapest price on Sep 18
$58
Average ticket price on Sep 18
$166
Fastest journey on Sep 18
4 h 38 m
Average journey duration on Sep 18
5 h 4 m
Trains on Sep 18
6
Distance
413 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne to Lübeck is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Lübeck will cost around $166 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $58.
It's difficult to get from Cologne to Lübeck without transferring at least once.
FlixTrain+
FlixBus
ICE 616 · 11466
ICE 204 · 11468
ICE 1036 · 11418
ICE 557 · ICE 682+
21122
ICE 1022 · 11420
ICE 1036 · 11418
ICE 557 · ICE 682+
21122
ICE 616 · 11466
ICE 204 · 11468Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Lübeck among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $58 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 21m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $58, while a flight costs an average of $700.
Distance: 256 miles (413 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$127 Average price | $58 Average price Cheapest | $700 Average price | $88 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 25m Average total duration 4h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 9m Average total duration 10h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 21m Average total duration Fastest 2h 21m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 5h 25m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 1.2 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() 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 |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Lübeck:
A bus is $69 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Lübeck costing on average $127.
A bus is $641 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Lübeck costing on average $700.
Other travel options to Lübeck take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 55m.
Bus takes on average 10h 39m.
You'll arrive about 30m sooner (4h 55m by train vs 5h 25m by car). Tickets start at around $127 compared to roughly $88 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Lübeck trains for tomorrow, Friday, September 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 616 · 11466 | On time 8:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 5h13 | 1:24 PM Lübeck Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1036 · 11418 | On time 8:45 AM Cologne Hbf | 5h07 | 1:52 PM Lübeck Hbf | 1 transfer | |
FlixTrain+ FlixBus | 9:01 AM Cologne Hbf | 9h24 | 6:25 PM Lübeck, Bussteig Beim Retteich | 1 transfer | |
ICE 204 · 11468 | On time 9:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 5h13 | 2:24 PM Lübeck Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1022 · 11420 | On time 10:14 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h38 | 2:52 PM Lübeck Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 557 · ICE 682+ 21122 | On time 10:44 AM Cologne Hbf | 5h08 | 3:52 PM Lübeck Hbf | 2 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 to Lübeck run on average 6 times per day, taking around 4h 55m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $34 but you can travel from only $33 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:09, the last at 23:27. The fastest train covers the 256 miles (413 km) distance in 4h 21m.
Distance 256 miles (413 km) |
Average train duration 4h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price $34 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 4h 21m |
First train 12:09 AM |
Last train 11:27 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Lübeck — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Lübeck trip today.
Museum inside Lübeck's famous gate, presenting the city's Hanseatic history and fortifications. Essential for context before exploring the old town.
Outstanding museum on Hanseatic trade and Lübeck's global medieval role, housed in a former monastery. Rich exhibits make it a top cultural stop.
Celebrates Nobel Prize winner Thomas Mann and his literary family in a historic townhouse. Excellent for literature, politics, and local culture.
UNESCO-listed island old town with lanes, courtyards, churches, and merchant houses. The essential area for walking and experiencing Lübeck's character.
Historic main street lined with gabled houses, shops, and key sights. Ideal for an introductory stroll through the heart of the city.
Elegant square in front of the town hall and St. Mary's Church. A central meeting point with impressive Gothic architecture all around.
Sweet almond marzipan from Lübeck, protected by PGI status and famed for its high almond content. The city's best-known traditional specialty.
Marzipan-coated pastry or cake, common in Lübeck cafés and bakeries. It reflects the city's long confectionery tradition.
Pan-fried Baltic herring, often served with potatoes or onion sauce. A classic North German fish dish tied to Lübeck's Hanseatic port history.
Elegant fine dining restaurant known for modern tasting menus and polished service in Lübeck's old town.
Historic tavern serving North German classics and local fish in a traditional Hanseatic setting near the old town center.
Historic café and confectionery famous for Lübeck marzipan, cakes, and coffee. A classic stop for the city's signature sweet.
Moderate for Germany: hotels and dining are mid-priced, public transit is reasonable, and old-town tourist areas cost a bit more.
Service is usually included. Round up or tip about 5-10% in restaurants, round up taxi fares, and leave small change in cafes.
Official public transport app
Lübeck Hbf -> Holstentorplatz, Lübeck
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Lübeck 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 Lübeck, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cologne to Lübeck trains use the Köln Hbf to Lübeck Hbf station pair, with some services arriving at Lübeck-Travemünde Strand. Use this guide to compare Cologne and Lübeck train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Köln Hbf is 1 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:
Köln Hbf has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: asiagourmet, Coffee Fellows, dean&david, Dunkin' Donuts, KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Nordsee, Starbucks, Schweinske, & more
Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only. ATMs are available at Köln Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Köln Hbf. Information desks are one near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5.
Luggage storage is there are luggage lockers in the station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Köln Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Köln Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Köln Hbf: Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
Nearby hotels include Wyndham Koeln, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst.
Köln Messe/Deutz is 1 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:
Köln Messe/Deutz has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Imbiss Athena, Arena Grill, Cafe Especial, Joe Champs
Wi-Fi is available at Köln Messe/Deutz. ATMs are available at Köln Messe/Deutz.
Ticket office support is available at Köln Messe/Deutz. Information desks are available at Köln Messe/Deutz.
Luggage storage is available at Köln Messe/Deutz. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Köln Messe/Deutz: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Köln Messe/Deutz: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Köln Messe/Deutz.
Nearby hotels include Pension Helenenwall, Zur guten Quelle, Zum Goldenen Hut, Merlin.
Köln/Bonn Flughafen is 13 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:
Köln/Bonn Flughafen has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Café Bistro Leysieffer, Mishba, Ständige Vertretung, Kamps
Wi-Fi is available at Köln/Bonn Flughafen. ATMs are available at Köln/Bonn Flughafen.
Ticket office support is available at Köln/Bonn Flughafen. Information desks are available at Köln/Bonn Flughafen.
Luggage storage is available at Köln/Bonn Flughafen. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Köln/Bonn Flughafen: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Köln/Bonn Flughafen: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Köln/Bonn Flughafen.
Lübeck Hbf is 1 km from Lübeck city centre. Public transport options include:
Lübeck Hbf has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: MyWaffel, McDonald's, Cafe Maret, Café Brazil
Wi-Fi is available at Lübeck Hbf. ATMs are available at Lübeck Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Lübeck Hbf. Information desks are available at Lübeck Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Lübeck Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Lübeck Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Lübeck Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Lübeck Hbf.
Nearby hotels include LIHO, Mercure, Hotel Stadt Lübeck, Hotel an der Marienkirche.
Lübeck-Travemünde Strand is 16 km from Lübeck city centre. Public transport options include:
Lübeck-Travemünde Strand has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: TEATIME, Café Marleen, Strandoase, Ostsee Lounge
Wi-Fi is available at Lübeck-Travemünde Strand. ATMs are available at Lübeck-Travemünde Strand.
Ticket office support is available at Lübeck-Travemünde Strand. Information desks are available at Lübeck-Travemünde Strand.
Luggage storage is available at Lübeck-Travemünde Strand. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Lübeck-Travemünde Strand: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Lübeck-Travemünde Strand: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Lübeck-Travemünde Strand.
Nearby hotels include Grand SPA Resort A-ROSA Travemünde, Atlantic Grand Hotel Travemünde, Seeschlößchen, Deutscher Kaiser.
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