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

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Cheap train tickets from Dortmund to Cologne

Showing times and prices for Mar 28

Cheapest

$13

Average

$18

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

Cheapest

FlixTrain

04:26PM1h20

Dortmund Hbf

05:46PMCologne Hbf

$131One-way

0 transfers

FlixTrain

08:24PM1h31

Dortmund Hbf

09:55PMCologne Hbf

$131One-way

0 transfers

FlixTrain

12:26PM1h19

Dortmund Hbf

01:45PMCologne Hbf

$141One-way

0 transfers

EC 9

09:24AM1h17

Dortmund Hbf

10:41AMCologne Messe/Deutz

$251One-way

0 transfers

IC 2013

09:45AM1h22

Dortmund Hbf

11:07AMCologne Messe/Deutz

$251One-way

0 transfers

Live departures

Dortmund to Cologne train times train times

Showing trains for today, Thursday, March 27

Last updated at 7:35 AM

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Transfers
Deutsche Bahn \| ICE 515	Delayed 7:40 AM 7:36 AMDortmund Hbf	1h11	8:54 AM 8:54 AMCologne Hbf	0 transfersDirect
Deutsche Bahn \| RE 63810	Delayed 7:42 AM 7:40 AMDortmund Hbf	1h32	9:12 AM 9:12 AMCologne Hbf	0 transfersDirect
FlixTrain \| FlixTrain	11:26 AM Dortmund Hbf	1h19	12:45 PM Cologne Hbf	0 transfersDirect
FlixTrain \| FlixTrain	7:24 PM Dortmund Hbf	1h31	8:55 PM Cologne Hbf	0 transfersDirect
Friday, March 28
Deutsche Bahn \| RE 26410	7:09 AM Dortmund Hbf	1h29	8:38 AM Cologne Hbf	1 transfer
Deutsche Bahn \| ICE 646	Delayed 7:12 AM 7:12 AMDortmund Hbf	1h26	8:38 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz	1 transfer
This is the last train of the day.

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

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

Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Dortmund to Cologne 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 Dortmund to Cologne.

Trains

from $11

Buses

from $9

Fastest train times from Dortmund to Cologne

Showing times and prices for Mar 28

Fastest Journey

1 h 11 m

Average

1 h 23 m

Trains per day

Distance

74 km

Of the 12 trains that leave Dortmund for Cologne every day 9 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

Fastest

ICE 515

08:36AM1h11

Dortmund Hbf

09:47AMCologne Hbf

$421One-way

0 transfers

Fastest

IC 2042

09:36AM1h11

Dortmund Hbf

10:47AMCologne Hbf

$311One-way

0 transfers

EC 9

09:24AM1h17

Dortmund Hbf

10:41AMCologne Messe/Deutz

$251One-way

0 transfers

FlixTrain

12:26PM1h19

Dortmund Hbf

01:45PMCologne Hbf

$141One-way

0 transfers

FlixTrain

04:26PM1h20

Dortmund Hbf

05:46PMCologne Hbf

$131One-way

0 transfers

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ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Dortmund to Cologne

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

Working during the train journey is possible

It is environmentally friendly

There is a very good price-performance ratio

Cons

Failures may occur

Delays may occur

On my train journey from Dortmund to Cologne, everything went according to plan. The train pulled into the station on time and also left on time. My reserved seat was very neat and the staff were very friendly in helping me find my seat. The wifi went down for 5-10 minutes but was very good before and after, so I was even able to stream and download videos on the train ride.

Pros

On time

Quick

Air conditioning

Cons

Expensive

Full

I travelled back by ICE from Dortmund to Cologne on business. Fortunately, the train arrived on time after a long day at work. When I boarded, I immediately noticed that the air conditioning was working at full blast. That's very nice, of course, given the heat outside. However, you also noticed straight away that the train was very full. Without a seat reservation, you would have had to stand very cramped. The ticket inspector was nice, but also unobtrusive. Fortunately, we could use the toilet. Despite the high occupancy rate, it was very clean. Thanks to my seat, I also had a power socket right next to me. So I could charge my phone. For the short distance, the price is very high. Nevertheless, it was a very pleasant journey, which I would never have had so comfortably by car.

Pros

Comfort

Cons

None

On the way home from Dortmund main station to Cologne, I drove via Essen. This route is a decent diversions, but as I was accompanying an external colleague, the journey was very pleasant and the colleague knew where to go. Apart from the duration, the journey with the ICE 2152 was very pleasant and especially the comfort was very good, as despite the lack of seat reservations we were given two free seats. Regardless of the duration, I also find the price-performance ratio very reasonable, as I only paid €25 for the journey from Dortmund via Essen to Cologne.

Pros

Speed

Cons

Punctuality

Yesterday I travelled from Dortmund main station to Cologne main station with the ice 2152. Unfortunately, the train was about 20 minutes late, which meant that I missed a connection. Regardless of the delay, the journey was pleasant, I found a seat without a seat reservation and the board staff were also friendly. The price of about 22€ per journey was very fair and the route would have taken much longer by car again.

Pros

Punctual and fast

Very good internet

Cons

None

On the return journey from Dortmund, Hauptbahnhof to Cologne Hauptbahnhof, we took the Deutsche Bahn ICE. The train arrived and departed on time. The journey was very pleasant overall, the seats were very comfortable, offered several sockets to charge our devices and enough legroom and storage space for our luggage. There was surprisingly very good internet on the train and we were even able to watch a few videos. The on-board staff were very nice and helpful. There were also no delays during the journey and we arrived back in Cologne on time. Overall, I would do this trip again and again and recommend it to my family and friends.

Pros

Nice staff

Clean train

I took the train from Dortmund to Cologne this morning. I must say I am very surprised by the cleanliness of the train and the toilets. The train arrived nicely on time and the staff was very nice. The wifi worked very well the whole way and the price of the ticket was definitely worth it.

Pros

Service/Price

Cons

Punctuality

Last year, I made a journey from Dortmund ZOB to Cologne by DB. In fact, I was very impressed with the service. The workers were very friendly and quickly looked after my interests. You could also quickly connect your mobile phone to the wifi. The seats were very comfortable and clean. It was pleasantly quiet. The toilets were very clean and hygienic. There was no need to change planes. The price was very good, only 9 €. The only problem was that the train did not arrive on time. Otherwise, I would really heartily recommend the train journey from Dortmund ZOB to Cologne. Apart from arriving on time, everything was tip-top.

Pros

Fast and uncomplicated ticket inspection

Comfortable seats with sufficient equipment

Snack machine available

No delays and no changes

Cons

Train was not clean

The train from Dortmund to Cologne had a normal load factor and a normal volume. The seats were comfortable and well equipped, with power sockets and a stable internet connection. Unfortunately, the train was not very clean. The toilets in particular were smelly and didn't look very hygienic. Apart from that, the train had a snack machine and the ticket inspection was carried out quickly and without any problems. The train was not delayed at the destination station and I didn't have to change trains until I reached my destination.

Pros

Fast reliable problem-free

Cons

I have not had any negative experiences

The train connection from Dortmund to Cologne was extremely punctual. The train departed on schedule and arrived in Cologne at the expected time. The cleanliness of the train was very good overall. The floors and seats were clean and well maintained. However, the cleaning of the windows could be improved. There were enough power sockets on the train to charge electronic devices. The toilets on the train were acceptable but could be cleaner. Regular cleaning would be desirable. Overall, the train from Dortmund to Cologne was a pleasant and comfortable travelling experience.

Pros

Very fast and pleasant

Cons

Nothing that struck me as negative

The train connection was very punctual. The train departed exactly at the scheduled departure time. The train connection was excellent, barrier-free. There was enough space for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and the overall cleanliness of the train was very good. The seats, floors and windows were clean and I didn't notice any major soiling. The train had convenient power sockets at most seats. The toilets on the train were very clean and tidy, but could be improved in terms of size and facilities. The train had a bistro, which is handy if you want to grab a bite to eat or drink while travelling. Overall, my experience of the train from Dortmund to Cologne was positive.

Pros

Fast connection

Good service on board

Coffee very tasty

Cons

Food was semi good

Seats were not free although reserved

Overcrowded train

All in all, the journey went well, but my seat was simply not available even though I had reserved it. Fortunately, the staff remained friendly. However, it was tiring to stand the whole time. It would not be suitable for older people. Nevertheless, I arrived safely and was given a small, delicious bar of chocolate by the service staff, which saved my day!

Journey information

Overview: Train from Dortmund to Cologne

Trains from Dortmund to Cologne run on average 11 times per day, taking around 1h 25m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $5 (€4) but you can travel from only $5 (€4) by bus.

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

Cheapest alternative travel mode

Bus from $5 (€4)

Distance

45 miles (73 km)

Average train duration

1h 25m

Cheapest ticket price

$5 (€4)

Trains per day

Direct trains

Train providers

Fastest train

1h 7m

First train

11:26

Last train

22:45

Price information

Cheapest alternative travel mode

Bus from $5 (€4)

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

For as little as $6 (€5) you can travel by train between Dortmund and Cologne with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain and National Express. Omio will show you the best deals, schedules and tickets available for this journey.

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 Dortmund to Cologne train.

Deutsche Bahn from Dortmund to Cologne train information:

Average Duration: 1 h 5 min
Cheapest Price: $11
Deutsche Bahn frequency: 13 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 from Dortmund to Cologne at Omio and easily book FlixTrain train tickets online.

Train information from Dortmund to Cologne with FlixTrain:

Average Duration: 1 h 8 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 from Dortmund to Cologne, you can select from three ticket fares: Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare.

National Express from Dortmund to Cologne train information:

Average Duration: 1 h 27 min
Cheapest Price: $30
National Express frequency: 11 a day

Thalys is a high-speed train company with trains to Cologne from Dortmund based in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. It operates a fleet of modern, comfortable trains that travel at speeds of up to 300 km/h. Thalys offers a variety of ticket types, including Standard, Comfort and Premium, each with its own set of benefits. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, power outlets, a bistro car and a selection of newspapers and magazines. The most popular routes for Thalys are Paris to Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne.

Thalys from Dortmund to Cologne train information:

Average Duration: 1 h 46 min
Cheapest Price: $92
Thalys frequency: 1 a day

Traveling by train from Dortmund to Cologne

The train connection between Dortmund and Cologne is efficient and convenient, making it easy for travelers to explore these vibrant cities. The journey typically takes around 1 hour, with frequent services provided by Deutsche Bahn and FlixTrain. Whether you're heading to Cologne's stunning cathedral or enjoying the cultural scene in Dortmund, you can rely on these providers for a comfortable ride.

Train Connection: Dortmund to Cologne

The train connection between Dortmund and Cologne offers a direct service with a duration of 1 hour and 9 minutes. There are approximately 51 connections available each day, providing ample options for travelers. Passengers will depart from Dortmund Hbf and can arrive at several stations in Cologne, including Köln Messe/Deutz, Köln-Mülheim, Köln/Bonn Flughafen, and Köln Hbf.

Dortmund to Cologne Train Connection

The first daily train from Dortmund to Cologne departs at 06:09 AM, providing an early start for travelers looking to explore the vibrant city of Cologne. The last journey of the day leaves at 09:36 PM, allowing visitors ample time to enjoy a full day in this historic destination before returning.

Train Tickets Price for Dortmund to Cologne

The cheapest ticket price for the train connection between Dortmund and Cologne is €5. The average ticket price typically hovers around €13, making it an affordable option for travelers looking to explore these vibrant German cities.

Exploring the Rich Heritage of Cologne

Welcome to Cologne, where history and culture intertwine beautifully! Our first stop is the magnificent Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), a UNESCO World Heritage site that took over 600 years to complete. This stunning Gothic masterpiece not only serves as a symbol of faith for millions but also boasts unique features like its twin spires reaching nearly 157 meters high, making it one of the tallest cathedrals in Europe.

Next, we’ll stroll across the iconic Hohenzollern Bridge, renowned for its breathtaking views of both the cathedral and the Rhine River. This bridge has been an essential transportation link since its completion in 1911 and holds significant historical value as it was rebuilt after being destroyed during World War II. One unique feature you can’t miss are the thousands of love locks attached by couples from around the world—each representing their unbreakable bond!

Finally, we arrive at Museum Ludwig, home to one of Germany's most impressive collections of modern art. Established in 1976 with a focus on contemporary works from artists such as Picasso and Warhol, this museum plays a vital role in promoting artistic dialogue within our city’s vibrant cultural scene. Its striking architecture complements an extensive collection that includes innovative exhibitions showcasing cutting-edge trends—making it truly unique among museums worldwide!

FAQs: Trains from Dortmund to Cologne

FAQs: Travel by train from Dortmund to Cologne 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 Dortmund to Cologne.

Cheap train tickets from Dortmund to Cologne can start from as little as $6 (€5) when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Dortmund to Cologne is $11 (€9); however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.

The average journey time by train from Dortmund to Cologne is 1 h 12 min to travel the 45 mile (73 km) long trip, with around there are 14 trains per day. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays.

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

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

Yes, there are 10 direct trains a day from Dortmund to Cologne with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain or National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct trains.

For the trip from Dortmund to Cologne you can take a train with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain or National Express. Be sure to check out all possible train companies that offer services from Dortmund to Cologne on Omio to compare what amenities they may have.

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

When departing from Dortmund, you have various train station options to start your trip from including Dortmund Hbf, Dortmund-Hörde station and Dortmund-Kurl station. When arriving in Cologne, you can end your route in train stations like Cologne Hbf, Cologne Messe/Deutz, Cologne/Bonn Flughafen, Cologne Süd, Cologne-Ehrenfeld and Cologne Mülheim.

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

A day trip to Cologne from Dortmund is worth doing with a journey time of 1 h 12 min each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.

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

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

Popular train stations from Dortmund to Cologne

Dortmund

Cologne

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

Dortmund-Kurl Wifi