- Must visit
Museum Ludwig
Major modern and contemporary art museum beside the cathedral, known for Pop Art, Picasso works, and one of Germany’s strongest 20th-century collections.
Cheapest price
$63
Average price
$83
Fastest journey
1 h 12 m
Average duration
1 h 20 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
154 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf will cost around $83 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $63.
It's difficult to get from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf without transferring at least once.
ICE 510+
24374
ICE 616+
24350
ICE 614+
24324
ICE 614+
24324
ICE 616+
24350
ICE 510+
24374Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf 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 21m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $11, and a train costs an average of $17.
Distance: 95 miles (154 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$43 Average price | $14 Average price Cheapest | $31 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 51m Average total duration Fastest 1h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 45m Average total duration 2h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 0m 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 South station to Cologne Hbf:
A bus is $30 (€24) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf costing on average $43 (€35).
Other travel options to Cologne Hbf take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 15m.
You'll arrive about 39m sooner (1h 21m by train vs 2h 0m by car). Tickets start at around $43 (€35) compared to roughly $31 (€25) 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 Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf trains for today, Saturday, June 6. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S4 · ICE 18 | On time 6:13 AM Frankfurt South station | 1h27 | 7:40 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
4644 · IC 2241 | 6:26 AM Frankfurt South station | 2h40 | 9:06 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
24350+ ICE 616 | 6:55 AM Frankfurt South station | 1h15 | 8:10 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
4602 · ICE 220 | 7:18 AM Frankfurt South station | 1h25 | 8:43 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
4595 · ICE 1022 | On time 7:27 AM Frankfurt South station | 2h39 | 10:06 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
24318+ ICE 1014 · S19 | 7:57 AM Frankfurt South station | 1h22 | 9:19 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
24318+ ICE 1612 | On time 7:57 AM Frankfurt South station | 1h35 | 9:32 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
4606 · ICE 128 | 9:18 AM Frankfurt South station | 1h25 | 10:43 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 793 · ICE 202 | On time 9:41 AM Frankfurt South station | 1h24 | 11:05 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 793 · ICE 1020 | On time 9:41 AM Frankfurt South station | 2h24 | 12:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
24330+ ICE 1610 | On time 9:57 AM Frankfurt South station | 1h36 | 11:33 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
24330+ ICE 728 · S6 | 9:57 AM Frankfurt South station | 1h26 | 11:23 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
4517 · ICE 926 | 11:27 AM Frankfurt South station | 2h38 | 2:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
24336+ ICE 1518 | 11:57 AM Frankfurt South station | 1h36 | 1:33 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
24336+ ICE 724 · S6 | 11:57 AM Frankfurt South station | 1h26 | 1:23 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
S4 · ICE 314 | On time 12:13 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h26 | 1:39 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 797 · ICE 1228 | On time 1:41 PM Frankfurt South station | 2h38 | 4:19 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 797 · ICE 108 | On time 1:41 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h24 | 3:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
24342+ ICE 1516 | On time 1:57 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h36 | 3:33 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
24342+ ICE 720 · S6 | 1:57 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h26 | 3:23 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
S4 · ICE 14 | On time 2:13 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h26 | 3:39 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
4525 · ICE 28 | 3:27 PM Frankfurt South station | 2h50 | 6:17 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
24352+ ICE 1514 | On time 3:57 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h36 | 5:33 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
24352+ ICE 626 · S6 | 3:57 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h26 | 5:23 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
S4 · ICE 12 | On time 4:13 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h27 | 5:40 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 993 · ICE 1224 | On time 5:41 PM Frankfurt South station | 2h37 | 8:18 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 993 · ICE 104 | On time 5:41 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h24 | 7:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
24398+ ICE 1512 | 5:57 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h36 | 7:33 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
24398+ ICE 622 · S6 | 5:57 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h26 | 7:23 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
S4 · ICE 10 | On time 6:13 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h27 | 7:40 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
4533 · ICE 24 | 7:27 PM Frankfurt South station | 3h03 | 10:30 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
4533 · ICE 24 · ICE 102 | 7:27 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h31 | 8:58 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
24399+ ICE 318 | On time 7:57 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h42 | 9:39 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
24399+ ICE 528 · S6 | 7:57 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h26 | 9:23 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
4537 · ICE 1220 | On time 9:27 PM Frankfurt South station | 2h45 | 12:12 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
24372+ ICE 524 | 9:57 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h32 | 11:29 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
24374+ ICE 510 | Delayed 10:57 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h18 | 10:58 PM 10:58 PMCologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
24374+ ICE 522 | 10:57 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h34 | 12:31 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
S6 · S9 · ICE 510 | On time 11:18 PM Frankfurt South station | 1h40 | 12:58 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
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 Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf run on average 19 times per day, taking around 1h 21m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $17 (€14) but you can travel from only $11 (€9) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 02:24, the last at 22:10. The fastest train covers the 95 miles (154 km) distance in 1h 20m.
Distance 95 miles (154 km) |
Average train duration 1h 21m |
Cheapest ticket price $17 (€14) |
Trains per day 19 |
Fastest train 1h 20m |
First train 2:24 AM |
Last train 10:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Mon |
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 Pop Art, Picasso works, and one of Germany’s strongest 20th-century collections.
Important fine arts museum with medieval, Baroque, and 19th-century European painting, offering one of Cologne’s key classical art collections.
Cologne’s leading museum for Roman heritage, with mosaics, archaeology, and finds from the city’s ancient past. Parts of the collection may be shown in temporary venues during works.
Broad stepped promenade on the east bank with outstanding cathedral skyline views, especially popular for sunset photos and social media content.
Walkable historic core with narrow lanes, churches, river views, and many of the city’s best-known postcard scenes.
Historic square in the Old Town lined with traditional buildings, bars, and civic history, making it a classic base for first-time visitors.
Top-fermented pale beer traditionally served in small glasses. It is Cologne’s signature drink and central to the city’s brewery culture.
A classic Cologne dish of mashed potatoes with apple sauce, often served with black pudding and fried onions. It is a well-known Rhineland comfort food.
Rhineland-style pot roast, traditionally marinated for days and served with rich gravy, dumplings, or potato sides. It is one of the region’s most famous festive dishes.
Modern, acclaimed restaurant near the center with a more refined approach to regional and seasonal German cuisine.
Established traditional brewery restaurant serving hearty Rhineland specialties and fresh Kölsch in an atmospheric old-town interior.
Large, established Cologne brewery restaurant offering local dishes and beer in a polished but traditional atmosphere.
Moderate by German standards. Budget eats are easy to find, but hotels and central dining cost more.
Service is usually included. Round up in cafés and taxis. In restaurants, add about 5-10% for good service; hand the tip directly when paying.
Official public transport app
Köln Hbf, Köln -> Köln Dom, Köln
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf 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 Hbf, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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