- Must visit
Museum Ludwig
Major modern and contemporary art museum beside the cathedral, known for Pop Art, Picasso works, and a strong international collection.
Cheapest price
$22
Average price
$80
Fastest journey
1 h 53 m
Average duration
2 h
Trains per day
42
Distance
240 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Karlsruhe Hbf 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 Karlsruhe Hbf to Cologne Hbf will cost around $80 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $22.
Of the 42 trains that leave Karlsruhe Hbf for Cologne Hbf on Wed, Jun 17, 14 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jun 17 the direct trains cover the 240 km distance in an average of 2 h but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 53 m .
On Wed, Jun 17 the slowest trains will take 2 h 2 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 272 · ICE 920
IC 60402
IC 2347
ICE 378 · ICE 616
ICE 1049
ICE 2 · ICE 910
ICE 76 · ICE 1014 · S19
ECE 8 · ICE 1012 · S19
ICE 74 · ICE 1010 · S19
ICE 6 · ICE 918 · S19Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Karlsruhe Hbf to Cologne Hbf among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $18. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 27m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $18, and a train costs an average of $25.
Distance: 149 miles (240 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$61 Average price | $25 Average price Cheapest | $51 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 57m Average total duration Fastest 3h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 52m Average total duration 4h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 22m 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 Karlsruhe Hbf to Cologne Hbf:
A bus is $36 (€29) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Karlsruhe Hbf to Cologne Hbf costing on average $61 (€49).
Other travel options to Cologne Hbf take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 22m.
Tickets start at around $61 (€49) compared to roughly $51 (€42) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-9.38 (€-7.60). The journey takes 3h 27m versus 3h 22m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Karlsruhe Hbf to Cologne Hbf trains for today, Tuesday, June 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IC 60402 | Delayed 11:24 PM 1:24 AMKarlsruhe Hbf | 4h20 | 3:44 AM 3:44 AMCologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 74 · ICE 1010 · S19 | On time 10:37 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h02 | 12:39 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 74 · ICE 1010 · ICE 926 | On time 10:37 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h28 | 2:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 200 | Delayed 9:01 AM 10:59 AMKarlsruhe Hbf | 2h06 | 1:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 200 · ICE 2284 · S6 | Delayed 9:01 AM 10:59 AMKarlsruhe Hbf | 2h24 | 1:23 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 1645 | 11:36 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h29 | 3:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 372 · ICE 610 | On time 11:59 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h06 | 2:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 6 · ICE 918 · ICE 228 | On time 12:37 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h29 | 4:06 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 6 · ICE 918 · S19 | 12:37 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h02 | 2:39 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 108 | On time 12:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h06 | 3:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
S9 · IC 2012 | 1:12 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h54 | 5:06 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 9591 · ICE 122 | On time 1:54 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h49 | 4:43 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 370 · ICE 518 | On time 1:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h06 | 4:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 72 · ICE 916 · ICE 28 | On time 2:37 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h29 | 6:06 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 72 · ICE 916 · S19 | On time 2:37 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h02 | 4:39 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 12+ TGV 9583 | Delayed 2:34 PM 2:54 PMKarlsruhe Hbf | 2h46 | 5:40 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 106 | On time 2:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h06 | 5:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
S9 · IC 1941 | On time 3:12 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h53 | 7:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 278 · ICE 516 | On time 3:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h06 | 6:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ECE 4 · ICE 224 | On time 4:37 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h06 | 6:43 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ECE 4 · ICE 224 · ICE 26 | On time 4:37 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h29 | 8:06 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 104 | On time 4:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h06 | 7:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1649 | 5:35 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h31 | 9:06 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 276 · ICE 514 | On time 5:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h06 | 8:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 70 · ICE 912 · S19 | On time 6:37 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h02 | 8:39 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 70 · ICE 912 · ICE 24 | On time 6:37 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h28 | 10:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 102 | 6:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h06 | 9:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
IC 2347 | On time 7:39 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h27 | 11:06 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 274 · ICE 512 | On time 7:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h06 | 10:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 2 · ICE 910 | On time 8:37 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 1h53 | 10:30 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 2 · ICE 910 · ICE 22 | On time 8:37 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h29 | 12:06 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 100 | 8:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h11 | 11:10 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 272 · ICE 510 | On time 9:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h11 | 12:10 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 272 · ICE 920 | On time 9:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 4h06 | 2:05 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
| Wednesday, June 17 | |||||
S6 · 4550 · ICE 18 | On time 3:25 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 4h15 | 7:40 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
S6 · ICE 712 | On time 3:25 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 4h32 | 7:57 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
S6 · 25414 | 3:25 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 5h37 | 9:02 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 378 · ICE 616 | On time 5:59 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h06 | 8:05 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 76 · ICE 1014 · ICE 1022 | On time 6:37 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h29 | 10:06 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 76 · ICE 1014 · S19 | On time 6:37 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h02 | 8:39 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 204 | On time 6:59 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h06 | 9:05 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1049 | 7:53 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h12 | 11:05 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 376 · ICE 614 | On time 7:59 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h06 | 10:05 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ECE 8 · ICE 1012 · S19 | On time 8:37 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h02 | 10:39 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ECE 8 · ICE 1012 · ICE 1020 | On time 8:37 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h28 | 12:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 202 | On time 8:59 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h06 | 11:05 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
IC 1947 | On time 9:35 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h30 | 1:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 374 · ICE 612 | On time 9:59 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h06 | 12:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
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 Karlsruhe Hbf to Cologne Hbf run on average 8 times per day, taking around 3h 27m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $25 (€20) but you can travel from only $18 (€14) by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:24, the last at 23:24. The fastest train covers the 149 miles (240 km) distance in 2h 2m.
Distance 149 miles (240 km) |
Average train duration 3h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price $25 (€20) |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 2h 2m |
First train 12:24 AM |
Last train 11:24 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
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 Pop Art, Picasso works, and a strong international collection.
Cologne’s key archaeological museum for Roman heritage, famous for mosaics and finds from the city’s ancient past. Parts of the collection may be presented in temporary locations during building works
Leading fine arts museum with important medieval, Baroque, and 19th-century paintings, offering one of Cologne’s strongest classic art collections.
Revitalized waterfront district with striking modern architecture, promenades, and photogenic Rhine views, popular on social media.
Wide riverside steps and promenade on the right bank, famous for postcard views back toward the cathedral skyline.
Historic Old Town square lined with traditional facades and lively public life, ideal for absorbing the classic Cologne atmosphere.
The city’s signature top-fermented beer, traditionally served in small cylindrical glasses. It is central to Cologne’s brewing culture and best enjoyed in a classic brauhaus.
A classic Cologne snack of rye roll, Gouda cheese, mustard, onions, and pickles. Despite the name, it contains no chicken and is a staple in local beer halls.
A traditional Rhineland dish of mashed potatoes and apple sauce, often served with black pudding and fried onions. The name means 'Heaven and Earth.'
Established traditional brewery restaurant in the old town, popular for authentic Cologne specialties, Kölsch, and rustic historic atmosphere.
Well-known central brauhaus serving Sion Kölsch and dependable local dishes. A solid choice for visitors wanting a classic Cologne beer hall experience.
A long-established restaurant by the Rhine, especially known for pork knuckle and hearty German fare in a traditional, tourist-friendly setting.
Moderate by German standards. Budget eats are easy to find, but hotels and central dining cost more.
Service is usually included, but rounding up is standard. In restaurants, add about 5-10% for good service. Round up taxis. Small tips are optional in cafes and bars.
Official public transport app
Köln Hbf, Köln -> Köln Dom, Köln
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Karlsruhe Hbf 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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