- Must visit
Museum Ludwig
Major modern and contemporary art museum beside the cathedral, known for its strong Picasso collection and Pop Art holdings.
Cheapest price
$157
Average price
$278
Fastest journey
6 h 10 m
Average duration
6 h 35 m
Trains per day
17
Distance
597 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Lyon to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Lyon to Cologne will cost around $278 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $157.
It's difficult to get from Lyon to Cologne without transferring at least once.
TGV 9583+
ICE 106
17758+
9471
17754+
9471
6622+
9471
17754+
9447
6614+
9447
6622+
9471
6694+
9459
TGV 9583+
ICE 106
6616+
9459Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Lyon to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $47. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 28m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $47, and a flight costs an average of $211.
Distance: 370 miles (597 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$205 Average price | $79 Average price Cheapest | $700 Average price | $183 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 20m Average total duration 5h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 35m Average total duration 11h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 28m Average total duration Fastest 2h 28m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 47m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.6 - 1.5kg CO2 emissions | 1.8 - 3.6kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Lyon to Cologne:
A bus is $126 (€104) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Lyon to Cologne costing on average $205 (€168).
A bus is $621 (€509) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Lyon to Cologne costing on average $700 (€573).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 50m.
Bus takes on average 11h 5m.
You'll arrive about 1h 57m sooner (5h 50m by train vs 7h 47m by car). Tickets start at around $205 (€168) compared to roughly $183 (€150) 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 Lyon to Cologne trains for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9852+ ICE 15 | 5:50 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 6h25 | 12:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6608+ 9471 | 8:04 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 13h11 | 9:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
889465+ 9764+ 9471 | 8:12 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 13h03 | 9:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
889465+ 9764+ 9477 | 8:12 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 14h10 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
TGV 9583+ ICE 106 | On time 10:01 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 7h04 | 5:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
TGV 9583+ ICE 12 | On time 10:01 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 7h39 | 5:40 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6612+ 9471 | 10:04 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 11h11 | 9:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6612+ 9477 | 10:04 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 12h18 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6612+ 9459 | 10:04 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 9h11 | 7:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6612+ 9477 | 10:04 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 12h18 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
9459+ 6908 | 10:54 AM Lyon Saint-Exupéry TGV | 8h21 | 7:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6908+ 9459 | 10:54 AM Lyon Saint-Exupéry TGV | 8h21 | 7:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6614+ 9477 | 11:04 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 11h18 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6614+ 9471 | 11:04 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 10h11 | 9:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6614+ 9459 | 11:04 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 8h11 | 7:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6614+ 9477 | 11:04 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 11h18 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
17758+ 9477 | 11:16 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 11h06 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
17758+ 9477 | 11:16 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 11h06 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6616+ 9459 | 11:34 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 7h41 | 7:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6616+ 9477 | 11:34 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 10h48 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6616+ 9471 | 11:34 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 9h41 | 9:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6616+ 9477 | 11:34 AM Lyon Part Dieu | 10h48 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
9459+ 6618 | 12:49 PM Gare de Lyon-Perrache | 6h26 | 7:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6618+ 9459 | 12:49 PM Gare de Lyon-Perrache | 6h26 | 7:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6618+ 9477 | 1:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 9h18 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6694+ 9477 | 1:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 9h18 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6694+ 9459 | 1:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 6h11 | 7:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6694+ 9471 | 1:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 8h11 | 9:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6618+ 9471 | 1:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 8h11 | 9:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6694+ 9477 | 1:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 9h18 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6618+ 9477 | 1:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 9h18 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6694+ 9459 | 1:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 6h11 | 7:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
9459+ 6618 | 1:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 6h11 | 7:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
9459+ 6694 | 1:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 6h11 | 7:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6618+ 9459 | 1:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 6h11 | 7:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
9471+ 6910 | 1:54 PM Lyon Saint-Exupéry TGV | 7h21 | 9:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6910+ 9471 | 1:54 PM Lyon Saint-Exupéry TGV | 7h21 | 9:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
9471+ 6622 | 2:50 PM Gare de Lyon-Perrache | 6h25 | 9:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6622+ 9471 | 2:50 PM Gare de Lyon-Perrache | 6h25 | 9:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6622+ 9471 | 3:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 6h11 | 9:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6622+ 9477 | 3:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 7h18 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6622+ 9477 | 3:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 7h18 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
9471+ 6622 | 3:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 6h11 | 9:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6622+ 9471 | 3:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 6h11 | 9:15 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
9477+ 6624 | 3:50 PM Gare de Lyon-Perrache | 6h32 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6624+ 9477 | 3:50 PM Gare de Lyon-Perrache | 6h32 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
9477+ 6920 | 3:58 PM Lyon Saint-Exupéry TGV | 6h24 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6920+ 9477 | 3:58 PM Lyon Saint-Exupéry TGV | 6h24 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
9477+ 6624 | 4:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 6h18 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
6624+ 9477 | 4:04 PM Lyon Part Dieu | 6h18 | 10:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight 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 Lyon to Cologne run on average 5 times per day, taking around 5h 50m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $99 (€81) but you can travel from only $47 (€38) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:50, the last at 23:55. The fastest train covers the 370 miles (597 km) distance in 6h 8m.
Distance 370 miles (597 km) |
Average train duration 5h 50m |
Cheapest ticket price $99 (€81) |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 6h 8m |
First train 12:50 AM |
Last train 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 28 days |
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 strong Picasso collection and Pop Art holdings.
Cologne’s key archaeology museum for Roman heritage, especially famous for the Dionysus mosaic and Roman artifacts from the city.
Important fine arts museum with medieval, Baroque, and 19th-century painting, including one of Germany’s leading Impressionist collections.
Popular riverfront promenade in Deutz with one of the city’s best postcard views toward the cathedral skyline, especially at sunset.
Classic walking area with narrow lanes, traditional houses, churches, and river access, ideal for first-time visitors.
One of the Old Town’s best-known squares, surrounded by historic facades and a lively atmosphere close to major sights.
Cologne’s signature top-fermented pale beer, traditionally served in small cylindrical glasses. It is central to the city’s brewing culture and best enjoyed in a local brauhaus.
A classic Cologne dish of mashed potatoes and apple sauce, usually served with black pudding and fried onions. The sweet-savory combination is strongly associated with Rhineland home cooking.
Despite the name, this is not chicken but a rye bread roll with aged Gouda, butter, mustard, and onions. It is a beloved Kölsch beer snack in traditional Cologne pubs.
An established fine-dining restaurant in central Cologne offering refined modern European cuisine, polished service, and an elegant hotel dining room.
A well-known casual restaurant loved for schnitzel and hearty German comfort food. It has a relaxed, local feel and a strong reputation among visitors and residents.
One of Cologne’s most famous brauhäuser near the cathedral, known for Kölsch and classic Rhineland dishes in a lively traditional atmosphere.
Moderate by German standards. Museums and transit are reasonable, while hotels and central dining cost more.
Service is usually included. Round up small bills; tip about 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Add EUR 1-2 for taxis, and round up in cafés if table service is provided.
Official public transport app
Cologne Hbf -> Cologne City Center
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Lyon 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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