- Must visit
Museum der Universität Tübingen MUT
Flagship university museum inside Hohentübingen Castle, known for major archaeology collections and the famous Ice Age art finds.
Cheapest price on Sep 19
€53
Average ticket price on Sep 19
€81
Fastest journey on Sep 19
3 h 22 m
Average journey duration on Sep 19
4 h 23 m
Trains on Sep 19
5
Distance
308 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne to Tübingen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Tübingen will cost around €81 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €53.
On Sat, Sep 19, we found 5 trains from Cologne to Tübingen, including 5 direct services.
On Sat, Sep 19 the direct trains cover the 308 km distance in an average of 4 h 23 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 22 m .
On Sat, Sep 19 the slowest trains will take 5 h 8 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.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Tübingen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €33 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 49m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €33, while a flight costs an average of €327.
Distance: 191 miles (308 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€81 Average price | €33 Average price Cheapest | €327 Average price | €58 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 3m Average total duration 3h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 58m Average total duration 6h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 49m Average total duration Fastest 1h 49m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 24m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.9 - 1.8kg 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 Tübingen:
A bus is €48 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Tübingen costing on average €81.
A bus is €294 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Tübingen costing on average €327.
Other travel options to Tübingen take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 33m.
Bus takes on average 6h 28m.
You'll arrive about 51m sooner (3h 33m by train vs 4h 24m by car). Tickets start at around €81 compared to roughly €58 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 Tübingen trains for tomorrow, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:14 AM Cologne | 5h08 | 11:22 AM Tübingen | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:27 AM Cologne | 4h55 | 12:22 PM Tübingen | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:31 AM Cologne | 3h22 | 10:53 AM Tübingen | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:54 AM Cologne | 3h28 | 11:22 AM Tübingen | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:53 AM Cologne | 5h00 | 1:53 PM Tübingen | 0 transfersDirect |
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 Tübingen run on average 5 times per day, taking around 3h 33m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €27 but you can travel from only €20 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 23:55. The fastest train covers the 191 miles (308 km) distance in 2h 56m.
Distance 191 miles (308 km) |
Average train duration 3h 33m |
Cheapest ticket price €27 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 2h 56m |
First train 12:02 AM |
Last train 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Tübingen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Tübingen trip today.
Flagship university museum inside Hohentübingen Castle, known for major archaeology collections and the famous Ice Age art finds.
Specialized exhibit space in the castle presenting Egyptian antiquities and mummies from the university’s archaeological collections.
Gallery of classical sculpture casts, useful for understanding Greek and Roman art in an academic yet accessible setting.
Tübingen’s heart, lined with colorful half-timbered houses, shops, and terraces. The essential starting point for exploring the old town.
Elegant riverside row of old houses facing the Neckar, famous for one of Germany’s most photographed urban panoramas.
Tree-lined island promenade between river branches, loved for punting scenes, walks, and classic views back to the old town.
Maultaschen are Swabian stuffed pasta pockets filled with meat, spinach, and herbs. They are a regional classic widely loved in Tübingen and across Württemberg.
Käsespätzle are soft Swabian egg noodles layered with melted cheese and fried onions. This comforting dish is a staple in southern German homes and taverns.
Linsen mit Spätzle pairs hearty lentils with Swabian noodles, often served with sausages. It is one of the region's most traditional everyday meals.
Established fine dining restaurant offering refined modern cuisine with regional influence. Elegant atmosphere suited for a special meal.
Well-known brewery tavern serving hearty Swabian food and house-brewed beer near the Neckar. Lively, casual, and popular with locals and visitors.
Historic traditional restaurant in the old town known for Swabian classics such as Maultaschen and seasonal regional dishes in a cozy setting.
Moderate for Germany: hotels and dining are mid-priced, transit is reasonable, and student-oriented spots help keep daily costs below Munich or Frankfurt.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave about 5-10% in restaurants; round up small taxi fares and cafe bills.
Official public transport app
Tübingen Hbf -> Marktplatz, Tübingen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Tübingen 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 Tübingen, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cologne to Tübingen trains use the Köln Hbf to Tübingen Hbf station pair. Use this guide to compare Cologne and Tübingen 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.
Tübingen 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: Café Binder, China-/Thai-Restaurant Dynastie, Kalender Falafel, Bar & Ristorante La Torre
Wi-Fi is available at Tübingen Hbf. ATMs are available at Tübingen Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Tübingen Hbf. Information desks are available at Tübingen Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Tübingen Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Tübingen Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Tübingen Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Tübingen Hbf.
Nearby hotels include City-Hotel, Krone, Hotel am Schloss, Metropol garni.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need