- Must visit
Museum Ludwig
Major modern and contemporary art museum beside the cathedral, especially strong in Pop Art, Picasso, and postwar European art.
Cheapest price
$22
Average price
$59
Fastest journey
48 m
Average duration
48 m
Trains per day
51
Distance
151 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Frankfurt am Main 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 Frankfurt am Main Airport to Cologne will cost around $59 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $22.
Of the 51 trains that leave Frankfurt am Main Airport for Cologne on Fri, Jul 10, 49 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jul 10 the direct trains cover the 151 km distance in an average of 48 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 48 m .
On Fri, Jul 10 the slowest trains will take 48 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 618
ICE 102
ICE 528
ICE 522
ICE 222
ICE 1010
ICE 916
ICE 1014
ICE 918
ICE 912Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $11. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 45m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $11, and a train costs an average of $12.
Distance: 93 miles (151 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$38 Average price | $18 Average price Cheapest | $33 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 15m Average total duration Fastest 1h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 22m Average total duration 1h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 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 Frankfurt am Main Airport to Cologne:
A bus is $21 (€17) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Cologne costing on average $38 (€32).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 52m.
You'll arrive about 7m sooner (1h 45m by train vs 1h 52m by car). Tickets start at around $38 (€32) compared to roughly $33 (€27) 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, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS).
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 Frankfurt am Main Airport to Cologne trains for today, Thursday, July 9. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IC 60402 | 3:29 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 2h15 | 5:44 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 618 | 4:59 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 1h05 | 6:04 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 222 | 5:47 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h56 | 6:43 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 18 | On time 5:57 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h52 | 6:49 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 712 | On time 6:14 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 1h43 | 7:57 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
S9 · ICE 712 | On time 6:15 AM Frankfurt am Main Flughafen | 1h42 | 7:57 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 616 | 7:10 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h55 | 8:05 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 824 | On time 7:22 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h52 | 8:14 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1014 | On time 7:41 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h48 | 8:29 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 220 | 7:46 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h57 | 8:43 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 316 | On time 7:57 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h51 | 8:48 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1022 | 7:59 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 2h09 | 10:08 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 204 | 8:11 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h54 | 9:05 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 822 | On time 8:22 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h52 | 9:14 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1612 | On time 8:26 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 1h06 | 9:32 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 614 | 9:10 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h55 | 10:05 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 820 | On time 9:22 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h52 | 10:14 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 16 | On time 9:37 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h55 | 10:32 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1012 | On time 9:41 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h48 | 10:29 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 128 | On time 9:46 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h57 | 10:43 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 202 | On time 10:11 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h54 | 11:05 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 728 | 10:22 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h52 | 11:14 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1610 | On time 10:26 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 1h07 | 11:33 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 612 | 11:10 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h55 | 12:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 726 | On time 11:22 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h52 | 12:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 314 | On time 11:34 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h58 | 12:32 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1010 | On time 11:41 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h48 | 12:29 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 126 | 11:46 AM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h57 | 12:43 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 200 | On time 12:11 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h54 | 1:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 724 | On time 12:22 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h52 | 1:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1518 | 12:26 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 1h07 | 1:33 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 610 | 1:10 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h55 | 2:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 722 | On time 1:22 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h52 | 2:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 14 | On time 1:33 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h59 | 2:32 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 918 | On time 1:41 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h48 | 2:29 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 124 | On time 1:48 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h55 | 2:43 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 108 | On time 2:11 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h54 | 3:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 720 | 2:22 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h52 | 3:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1516 | On time 2:26 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 1h07 | 3:33 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 518 | On time 3:10 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h55 | 4:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1716 | 3:16 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 1h09 | 4:25 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 628 | On time 3:22 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h52 | 4:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 916 | On time 3:41 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h48 | 4:29 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 122 | On time 3:48 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h55 | 4:43 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 106 | On time 4:11 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h54 | 5:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 626 | On time 4:22 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h52 | 5:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1514 | On time 4:26 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 1h07 | 5:33 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 516 | On time 5:10 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h55 | 6:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1714 | On time 5:17 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 1h08 | 6:25 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 624 | On time 5:22 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h52 | 6:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 224 | 5:48 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h55 | 6:43 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 118 | On time 5:53 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 1h01 | 6:54 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 26 | 5:59 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 2h10 | 8:09 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 104 | On time 6:11 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h54 | 7:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 622 | On time 6:22 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h52 | 7:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1512 | On time 6:26 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 1h07 | 7:33 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 10 | On time 6:48 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h52 | 7:40 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 514 | On time 7:10 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h55 | 8:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 912 | On time 7:41 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h48 | 8:29 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 120 | On time 7:48 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h55 | 8:43 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 24 | 7:59 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 2h06 | 10:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 102 | 8:11 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h54 | 9:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 528 | On time 8:22 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h52 | 9:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 512 | On time 9:10 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h55 | 10:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 910 | On time 9:41 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h49 | 10:30 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 100 | 10:11 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h59 | 11:10 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 524 | On time 10:22 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 1h17 | 11:39 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 510 | On time 11:11 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 0h59 | 12:10 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 522 | 11:25 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 1h06 | 12:31 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 920 | 11:40 PM Frankfurt Airport long-distance station | 2h28 | 2:08 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Frankfurt am Main Airport to Cologne run on average 23 times per day, taking around 1h 45m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $12 (€10) but you can travel from only $11 (€9) by bus.
There are 22 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 02:59, the last at 22:40. The fastest train covers the 93 miles (151 km) distance in 48m.
Distance 93 miles (151 km) |
Average train duration 1h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price $12 (€10) |
Trains per day 23 |
Direct trains 22 |
Fastest train 48m |
First train 2:59 AM |
Last train 10:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sun |
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, especially strong in Pop Art, Picasso, and postwar European art.
One of Germany’s key fine art museums, known for medieval painting, Gothic works, and major Impressionist holdings.
Cologne’s documentation center on National Socialism, housed in the former Gestapo headquarters with preserved prison cells.
Historic Old Town square surrounded by traditional facades and lively pedestrian streets, ideal as a base for central sightseeing.
Large central square in the Altstadt known for events, open space, and easy access to the Rhine promenade.
Trendy inner-city neighborhood popular for independent shops, street life, and photogenic urban corners beyond the main tourist core.
Cologne’s signature top-fermented pale beer, traditionally served in small Stangen glasses and central to the city’s brewing culture.
A classic Cologne rye roll with aged Gouda, mustard, and onion. Despite the name, it contains no chicken and is a beloved beer-hall snack.
A traditional Rhineland dish of mashed potatoes with apple sauce, often served with black pudding and fried onions. The name means ‘Heaven and Earth.’
Acclaimed fine-dining restaurant offering modern tasting menus and polished service for a high-end culinary experience in Cologne.
Historic brewery and restaurant loved for house-brewed Kölsch and authentic local specialties in a rustic traditional atmosphere.
Well-known casual restaurant famous for oversized schnitzels and hearty German comfort food with a friendly, classic atmosphere.
Moderate by German standards. Public transport is fair, while central hotels and dining cost more.
Service is usually included. Round up in cafes and taxis. In restaurants, 5-10% is common for good service; hand the tip directly when paying.
Official public transport app
Cologne Hbf, Cologne -> Cologne Cathedral, Cologne
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Frankfurt am Main 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.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need