Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf train with Deutsche Bahn (ICE,RB)

Wed, Jul 22
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Deutsche Bahn
VIAS Rail GmbH
Regionale
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VIAS Rail GmbH
Regionale
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Frecciarossa
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf

Showing times and prices for Jul 22

Cheapest price

$30

Average price

$55

Fastest journey

1 h 20 m

Average duration

1 h 25 m

Trains per day

16

Distance

154 km

Cheap tickets

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 $55 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $30.

Fast trains

It's difficult to get from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf without transferring at least once.

  • Deutsche BahnICE 1612+Hessische Landesbahn24318
    7:57 AM1h42
    Frankfurt South station
    9:39 AMCologne Hbf
    $301One-way
    1 transfer
  • Deutsche Bahn4610 · ICE 126
    11:18 AM1h25
    Frankfurt South station
    12:43 PMCologne Hbf
    $411One-way
    1 transfer
  • Deutsche BahnICE 1716+Hessische Landesbahn24344
    2:57 PM1h28
    Frankfurt South station
    4:25 PMCologne Hbf
    $411One-way
    1 transfer
  • Deutsche BahnICE 510+Hessische Landesbahn24374
    10:57 PM2h36
    Frankfurt South station
    1:33 AMCologne Hbf
    $411One-way
    1 transfer
  • Deutsche BahnICE 1518+Hessische Landesbahn24336
    11:57 AM1h42
    Frankfurt South station
    1:39 PMCologne Hbf
    $411One-way
    1 transfer

Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf

Omio 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 $9. 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 $9, and a train costs an average of $14.

Distance: 95 miles (154 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

$35

Average price

$11

Average price

Cheapest

$25

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)

Deutsche Bahn

Most popular train company

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf is a bus with an average price of $11 (€11).

This is compared to other travel options from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf:

A bus is $24 (€24) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf costing on average $35 (€35).

The fastest way to travel from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf is by train with an average journey time of 1h 21m.

Other travel options to Cologne Hbf take longer:

Bus takes on average 2h 15m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Frankfurt South station and Cologne Hbf including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf among Omio's users.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 39m sooner (1h 21m by train vs 2h 0m by car). Tickets start at around $35 (€35) compared to roughly $25 (€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.

Live departures

Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf train times

The table below shows live departures for Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf trains for today, Tuesday, July 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
Deutsche Bahn15541 · ICE 92011:05 PM Frankfurt South station
3h00
2:05 AM Cologne Hbf1 transfer
Wednesday, July 22
Deutsche BahnICE 822 · 28509+Hessische Landesbahn24318
Delayed
6:22 AM 7:57 AMFrankfurt South station
1h32
9:29 AM Cologne Hbf
2 transfers
Deutsche BahnICE 1612+Hessische Landesbahn24318
Delayed
6:26 AM 7:57 AMFrankfurt South station
1h42
9:39 AM Cologne Hbf
1 transfer
Deutsche BahnICE 614+Hessische Landesbahn15164
Delayed
7:10 AM 8:39 AMFrankfurt South station
1h26
10:05 AM Cologne Hbf
1 transfer
Deutsche BahnICE 820 · 28511+Hessische Landesbahn24322
Delayed
7:22 AM 8:57 AMFrankfurt South station
1h32
10:29 AM Cologne Hbf
2 transfers
Deutsche BahnICE 612+Hessische Landesbahn15166
Delayed
9:10 AM 10:39 AMFrankfurt South station
1h26
12:05 PM Cologne Hbf
1 transfer
Deutsche BahnICE 314+Hessische Landesbahn24332
Delayed
9:28 AM 10:57 AMFrankfurt South station
1h20
12:17 PM Cologne Hbf
1 transfer
Deutsche Bahn4610 · ICE 126
On time
11:18 AM Frankfurt South station
1h25
12:43 PM Cologne Hbf
1 transfer
Deutsche BahnICE 724 · 28517+Hessische Landesbahn24336
Delayed
10:22 AM 11:57 AMFrankfurt South station
1h32
1:29 PM Cologne Hbf
2 transfers
Deutsche BahnICE 1518+Hessische Landesbahn24336
Delayed
10:26 AM 11:57 AMFrankfurt South station
1h42
1:39 PM Cologne Hbf
1 transfer
Deutsche BahnICE 610+Hessische Landesbahn15168
Delayed
11:10 AM 12:39 PMFrankfurt South station
1h26
2:05 PM Cologne Hbf
1 transfer
Deutsche BahnICE 722 · 28519+Hessische Landesbahn24338
Delayed
11:22 AM 12:57 PMFrankfurt South station
1h32
2:29 PM Cologne Hbf
2 transfers
Deutsche BahnICE 518+Hessische Landesbahn15170
Delayed
1:10 PM 2:39 PMFrankfurt South station
1h26
4:05 PM Cologne Hbf
1 transfer
Deutsche BahnICE 1716+Hessische Landesbahn24344
Delayed
1:16 PM 2:57 PMFrankfurt South station
1h28
4:25 PM Cologne Hbf
1 transfer
Deutsche BahnICE 516+Hessische Landesbahn15172
Delayed
3:10 PM 4:39 PMFrankfurt South station
1h26
6:05 PM Cologne Hbf
1 transfer
Deutsche BahnICE 512 · S11+Hessische Landesbahn15176
Delayed
7:10 PM 8:39 PMFrankfurt South station
1h34
10:13 PM Cologne Hbf
2 transfers

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf by train or bus

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.

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Jul 28

Why should you book Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf trains with Omio?

Deutsche Bahn as well as VIAS Rail GmbH offer trains services from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf.

Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn, but also compare tickets for the likes of VIAS Rail GmbH to find the best option for your trip from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Deutsche Bahn with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf.

Why book with Omio over Trainline or Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf

GermanyGermany
GermanyGermany
Icon of train

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 $14 (€14) but you can travel from only $9 (€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.

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 $9 (€9)
Distance
95 miles (154 km)
Average train duration
1h 21m
Cheapest ticket price
$14 (€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
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 $9 (€9)

Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, VIAS Rail GmbH from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf trainsDeutsche Bahn, VIAS Rail GmbH trains will get you between Frankfurt South station and Cologne Hbf from $9 (€9). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Deutsche Bahn

About
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany’s main train operator, running around 40,000 domestic and international services each day. Its fleet includes a variety of train types: high-speed ICE (Intercity Express) trains, reaching up to 300 km/h; IC (Intercity) and EC (EuroCity) trains for long-distance travel; and IRE (Interregio-Express), RE (Regional Express), and RB (Regionalbahn) services for regional and local connections. While bathrooms are standard on all trains, amenities such as onboard restaurants and free Wi-Fi are available only on certain train types and routes. DB offers a wide range of fares, including Super Saver, Saver, and Flexible tickets, along with discount cards like the BahnCard 25, 50, and 100. Additional options include single tickets, day tickets, and group tickets. Popular routes include Berlin–Munich, Hamburg–Frankfurt, Cologne–Stuttgart, Berlin–Dresden, and Hamburg–Cologne, as well as numerous regional services across Germany.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 20m
Cheapest Price
$14 (€14)
Deutsche Bahn frequency
20 a day
Luggage included
Passengers are allowed to bring hand luggage and one additional larger item free of charge, provided they can carry it themselves
Luggage storage
Luggage can be stored in overhead racks, under the seat, or in designated luggage areas near the doors or in the middle of the carriage.
Cancellation Policy
Tickets can be canceled based on their fare conditions as mentioned in what type of train tickets are refundable?
Refund
If DB cancels a train, passengers are entitled to a full refund of the ticket price.
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Most ICE and many IC/EC trains have:
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
Seat reservation
Second Class:
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
DB trains are equipped with facilities for passengers with reduced mobility, including wheelchair spaces, accessible restrooms, and assistance services.
Pets
Small pets (e.g. cats, small dogs, etc.):
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.
Quiet zone

VIAS Rail GmbH

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 31m
Cheapest Price
$40 (€40)
VIAS Rail GmbH frequency
2 a day

FAQs: Trains from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf

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.

FAQs
Train ticket prices from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf can vary. The cheapest ticket starts at $14 (€14), while the average price is around $35 (€35).
The train from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf takes 1h 20m and runs 19 per day.
The first train from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf leaves at 2:24 AM.
The distance by train from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf is 95 miles (154 km).
The last train from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf leaves at 10:10 PM.
There is no direct train service currently available from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf.
Unfortunately, there is no night train available from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf.
The cheapest way to get from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf is by bus, with a cost of around $9 (€9).
The train journey from Frankfurt (Main) Süd to Köln Hbf offers scenic views of the Rhine Valley, featuring picturesque landscapes, charming towns, and vineyards along the river.
Yes, a day trip from Frankfurt (Main) Süd to Köln Hbf is feasible. The journey takes 1h 20m with trains running 6 times per day over a distance of 95 miles (154 km).
Yes, you can take the train from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf.
Since both Frankfurt South station and Cologne Hbf are in the Schengen Area, a passport is not required for European Union (EU) or Schengen-associated country citizens. A national ID card is sufficient.
Popular day trips by train from Cologne Hbf include Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Liège, Aachen, Venlo.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf among Omio's users.
Items not allowed on trains typically include hazardous materials such as explosives, flammable liquids, corrosive substances, and illegal drugs. Additionally, large or bulky items that may obstruct aisles or emergency exits, as well as pets without proper carriers, may be restricted. Specific prohibited items can vary by train operator and region, so please check the rules for your particular journey.
Yes, rail passes such as the Eurail Pass and Interrail Pass are valid on most trains in Germany, including Deutsche Bahn regional and long-distance services. Some high-speed trains may require a reservation fee even with a rail pass.
Germany uses the euro (€) as its currency. Travelers generally find it convenient to use cards, especially contactless payments, in cities and larger establishments. However, cash is still widely accepted and sometimes preferred in smaller shops, markets, and rural areas. Carrying some cash is recommended for flexibility.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.

popular train stations

Popular train stations from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf

Most Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf trains use the Frankfurt Flughafen Fernbf to Köln Hbf station pair. Use this guide to compare Frankfurt South station and Cologne Hbf train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Frankfurt am Main
Arrival train stations in Cologne
Frankfurt (Main) SüdFrankfurt (Main) Süd, Hedderichstraße 51, 60594 Frankfurt am MainWifiLockersShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Frankfurt (Main) Süd from Frankfurt am Main city centre

Frankfurt (Main) Süd is 1 km from Frankfurt am Main city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainS6, S5, S4, S3 · 5m · $1 · every ~27 min
BusN8 · 9m
M36, 30 · 14m · every ~21 min
Tram18 · 11m · $3 · every ~12 min
SubwayU8, U3, U2, U1 · 5m · $3 · every ~40 min

Frankfurt (Main) Süd train station facilities and services

Frankfurt (Main) Süd 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 and drink

Food options include: Merals Imbiss, Bootshaus am Eisernen Steg, Freigut, Holbein's

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Frankfurt (Main) Süd. ATMs are available at Frankfurt (Main) Süd.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Frankfurt (Main) Süd. Information desks are available at Frankfurt (Main) Süd.

Luggage and lost property

Luggage storage is available at Frankfurt (Main) Süd. Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Frankfurt (Main) Süd: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Frankfurt (Main) Süd: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Frankfurt (Main) Süd.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Hotel am Berg, Leonardo Royal Hotel Frankfurt, Hotel Ritter, Lindner Main Plaza.

More options for your journey from Frankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf

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

Most popular trains to and from Cologne Hbf and Frankfurt South station

HomeTrainsTrains in GermanyTrain Times to Cologne HbfFrankfurt South station to Cologne Hbf train

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