- Must visit
Museum Ludwig
Major modern and contemporary art museum beside the cathedral, known for its Picasso collection and important Pop Art holdings.
Cheapest price
$9
Average price
$24
Fastest journey
31 m
Average duration
32 m
Trains per day
33
Distance
40 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Dusseldorf Airport to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Dusseldorf Airport to Cologne will cost around $24 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $9.
Of the 33 trains that leave Dusseldorf Airport for Cologne on Sat, Jun 06, 9 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 06 the direct trains cover the 40 km distance in an average of 32 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 31 m .
On Sat, Jun 06 the slowest trains will take 33 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 921
ICE 540
ICE 946
ICE 944
S11 · ICE 209
ICE 540
ICE 921
ICE 942
ICE 542
ICE 848Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Dusseldorf Airport to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $9. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 30m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $9, and a train costs an average of $9.
Distance: 24 miles (40 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$17 Average price | $12 Average price Cheapest | $9 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 0m Average total duration Fastest 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 29m Average total duration 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 52m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Dusseldorf Airport to Cologne:
A bus is $5 (€4) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Dusseldorf Airport to Cologne costing on average $17 (€14).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 59m.
You'll arrive about 22m sooner (30m by train vs 52m by car). Tickets start at around $17 (€14) compared to roughly $9 (€7) 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.
Direct services run with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Deutsche Bahn Regio (DB Regional).
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 Dusseldorf Airport to Cologne trains for today, Friday, June 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 844 | Delayed 8:22 PM 10:00 PMDüsseldorf Airport station | 0h33 | 8:54 PM 8:54 PMCologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 542 | On time 11:03 PM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h32 | 11:35 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
S11 · ICE 209 | Delayed 11:54 PM Düsseldorf Airport Terminal station | 0h54 | 11:01 PM 11:01 PMCologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
| Saturday, June 6 | |||||
ICE 540 | 1:07 AM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h31 | 1:38 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
89868 · ICE 513 | On time 7:02 AM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h46 | 7:48 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
S11 · ICE 103 | On time 7:54 AM Düsseldorf Airport Terminal station | 0h54 | 8:48 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
89870 · ICE 103 | On time 8:02 AM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h46 | 8:48 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
89872 · ICE 515 | On time 9:02 AM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h46 | 9:48 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
26706 · ICE 219 · S6 | 9:16 AM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h47 | 10:03 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
S11 · IC 2007 | On time 9:24 AM Düsseldorf Airport Terminal station | 0h50 | 10:14 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 946 | On time 10:00 AM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h35 | 10:35 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
S11 · IC 2009 | On time 11:24 AM Düsseldorf Airport Terminal station | 0h50 | 12:14 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
S11 · ICE 107 | On time 11:54 AM Düsseldorf Airport Terminal station | 0h54 | 12:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 944 | On time 12:00 PM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h33 | 12:33 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
89878 · ICE 107 | On time 12:02 PM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h46 | 12:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
S11 · IC 5106 | On time 1:24 PM Düsseldorf Airport Terminal station | 0h46 | 2:10 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 5106+ 20021 | Delayed 11:45 AM 1:25 PMDüsseldorf Airport station | 0h45 | 2:10 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
S11 · ICE 109 | On time 1:54 PM Düsseldorf Airport Terminal station | 0h54 | 2:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 942 | On time 2:00 PM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h32 | 2:32 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
89882 · ICE 109 | On time 2:02 PM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h46 | 2:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
S11 · IC 2203 | On time 3:24 PM Düsseldorf Airport Terminal station | 0h50 | 4:14 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
S11 · ICE 201 | On time 3:54 PM Düsseldorf Airport Terminal station | 0h54 | 4:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 940 | On time 4:00 PM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h33 | 4:33 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
89886 · ICE 201 | On time 4:02 PM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h46 | 4:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
S11 · ICE 203 | On time 5:54 PM Düsseldorf Airport Terminal station | 0h54 | 6:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 848 | On time 6:00 PM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h33 | 6:33 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
89890 · ICE 203 | On time 6:02 PM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h46 | 6:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
S11 · ICE 129 | On time 6:24 PM Düsseldorf Airport Terminal station | 0h47 | 7:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
S11 · ICE 205 | On time 7:54 PM Düsseldorf Airport Terminal station | 0h54 | 8:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
89894 · ICE 205 | On time 8:02 PM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h46 | 8:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
S11 · ICE 221 | On time 8:24 PM Düsseldorf Airport Terminal station | 0h47 | 9:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
S11 · ICE 207 | On time 9:54 PM Düsseldorf Airport Terminal station | 0h54 | 10:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 844 | On time 10:00 PM Düsseldorf Airport station | 0h33 | 10:33 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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 Dusseldorf Airport to Cologne run on average 13 times per day, taking around 30m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $9 (€7) if you book in advance.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:31, the last at 22:59. The fastest train covers the 24 miles (40 km) distance in 20m.
Distance 24 miles (40 km) |
Average train duration 30m |
Cheapest ticket price $9 (€7) |
Trains per day 13 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 20m |
First train 12:31 AM |
Last train 10:59 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Discover the best of Cologne — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cologne trip today.
Major modern and contemporary art museum beside the cathedral, known for its Picasso collection and important Pop Art holdings.
Archaeological museum focused on Roman Cologne; famous for mosaics and finds from the ancient city. Main building has had closures, but the collection remains significant.
Leading fine arts museum with medieval, Baroque and 19th-century European painting in Cologne's historic center.
The city's most visited walking area, with narrow lanes, churches, colorful houses and easy access to major sights.
Popular riverside walking route with postcard views of the cathedral, bridges and skyline, especially lively near sunset.
Historic square in the Old Town surrounded by traditional facades, busy pedestrian activity and classic Cologne atmosphere.
Cologne’s signature pale beer, traditionally served in small cylindrical glasses called Stangen. It is central to the city’s brewing culture and best enjoyed in a Brauhaus.
A classic Cologne dish of mashed potatoes and apple sauce, often served with fried onions and black pudding. The sweet-savory combination is strongly associated with Rhineland home cooking.
Despite the name, this is not chicken but a rye bread roll with Gouda, mustard, onions, and pickles. It is a beloved Brauhaus snack traditionally eaten with Kölsch.
A celebrated fine-dining restaurant in Cologne known for creative modern tasting menus and polished service, ideal for a higher-end culinary experience.
A well-known casual restaurant famous for schnitzel and generous portions, with a friendly, old-school Cologne neighborhood feel.
A long-established Brauhaus in the Old Town serving hearty Cologne specialties, fresh Kölsch, and a warm wood-paneled atmosphere popular with locals and visitors.
Moderate by German standards: supermarkets and casual food are reasonable, while hotels and central dining cost more.
Service is usually included, but a tip is expected. Round up in cafés and taxis, and add about 5-10% in restaurants for good service.
Official public transport app
Cologne Hbf, Cologne -> Cologne Cathedral, Cologne
The train connection between Dusseldorf Airport and Cologne is efficient and convenient, making it easy for travelers to explore the vibrant culture of both 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 lively atmosphere in Dusseldorf, these train options offer a comfortable ride through scenic landscapes.
The train connection from Dusseldorf Airport to Cologne takes approximately 21 minutes and offers up to 24 direct connections per day. Passengers can enjoy a seamless journey with no transfers required, making it an efficient option for travelers between these two cities.
The first daily train journey from Dusseldorf Airport to Cologne departs at 05:54 AM, providing an early start for travelers. The last departure of the day is scheduled for 09:24 PM, allowing visitors ample time to explore both cities before returning in the evening.
The cheapest ticket price for the train connection between Dusseldorf Airport and Cologne is €5. The average ticket price typically hovers around €18, making it a convenient option for travelers looking to explore these vibrant cities in Germany.
Welcome to Cologne, where the magnificent Cologne Cathedral stands as a testament to Gothic architecture and centuries of devotion; construction began in 1248 and was completed in 1880, making it one of Germany's most iconic landmarks. Its twin spires soar over the city skyline at an impressive height of 157 meters, while inside you’ll find stunning stained glass windows that tell stories from both history and faith. As we explore this UNESCO World Heritage site, take a moment to appreciate its intricate details—each stone whispers tales of resilience through wars and restoration.
Next on our journey is the Hohenzollern Bridge, which not only serves as a vital transportation link but also offers breathtaking views along the Rhine River. Completed in 1911, this bridge has become famous for its love locks—a charming tradition where couples attach padlocks symbolizing their eternal bond before tossing the keys into the river below. As we walk across this bustling thoroughfare adorned with thousands of colorful locks glinting under sunlight or moonlight alike, you'll feel connected to countless romantic stories shared by visitors throughout time.
Finally, let’s immerse ourselves in contemporary art at Museum Ludwig—the heart of modern artistic expression here in Cologne since its opening in 1976. This museum houses an extensive collection featuring works from renowned artists like Picasso and Warhol alongside vibrant pieces from German Expressionism that reflect cultural shifts over decades. With rotating exhibitions showcasing innovative talent alongside permanent collections celebrating creativity's evolution through various mediums—you'll leave inspired by how art continues shaping our world today!
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Dusseldorf Airport to Cologne 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 Cologne, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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