- Must visit
Museum Ludwig
Major modern and contemporary art museum known for its Picasso collection, Pop Art, and works by leading 20th-century artists beside the cathedral.
Cheapest price
$112
Average price
$177
Fastest journey
4 h 13 m
Average duration
4 h 14 m
Trains per day
41
Distance
456 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Munich to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Munich to Cologne will cost around $177 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $112.
Of the 41 trains that leave Munich for Cologne on Sun, May 31, 21 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, May 31 the direct trains cover the 456 km distance in an average of 4 h 14 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 13 m .
On Sun, May 31 the slowest trains will take 4 h 16 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 510
ICE 820
ICE 1502 · ICE 524
ICE 728
ICE 916
ICE 912
ICE 1010
ICE 918
ICE 910Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Munich to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $32. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 7m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $32, and a flight costs an average of $131.
Distance: 283 miles (456 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$104 Average price | $52 Average price Cheapest | $309 Average price | $55 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 28m Average total duration 4h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 43m Average total duration 10h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 7m Average total duration Fastest 1h 7m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 6h 14m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | 1.4 - 2.7kg 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 Munich to Cologne:
A bus is $52 (€42) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Munich to Cologne costing on average $104 (€84).
A bus is $257 (€207) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Munich to Cologne costing on average $309 (€249).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 58m.
Bus takes on average 10h 13m.
You'll arrive about 1h 16m sooner (4h 58m by train vs 6h 14m by car). Tickets start at around $104 (€84) compared to roughly $55 (€44) 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), SNCB.
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 Munich to Cologne trains for today, Saturday, May 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 782 · ICE 1220 | Delayed 6:11 PM Munich Hbf | 5h55 | 10:43 PM 10:43 PMCologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 910 | Delayed 4:24 PM 6:19 PMMunich Hbf | 5h40 | 11:59 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 910 · ICE 100 | Delayed 4:24 PM 6:19 PMMunich Hbf | 5h55 | 12:14 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1502 · ICE 524 | On time 6:20 PM Munich Hbf | 6h06 | 12:26 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 510 | On time 7:28 PM Munich Hbf | 5h57 | 1:25 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 990 · 19686 · IC 60402 | On time 8:45 PM Munich Hbf | 8h59 | 5:44 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 618 | On time 11:30 PM Munich Hbf | 6h34 | 6:04 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 618 · ICE 826 | On time 11:30 PM Munich Hbf | 8h37 | 8:07 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 1 transfer | |
ICE 2518 | On time 11:30 PM Munich Hbf | 6h34 | 6:04 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, May 31 | |||||
57002 · 59110 · ICE 1022 | On time 1:59 AM Munich Hbf | 8h07 | 10:06 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 614 | 5:33 AM Munich Hbf | 4h36 | 10:09 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 820 · S8 · ICE 128 | On time 5:44 AM Munich Hbf | 4h59 | 10:43 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 820 | On time 5:44 AM Munich Hbf | 5h45 | 11:29 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 728 | On time 6:44 AM Munich Hbf | 5h53 | 12:37 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 612 | 7:28 AM Munich Hbf | 4h37 | 12:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 726 | On time 7:42 AM Munich Hbf | 5h55 | 1:37 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 882 · ICE 926 | On time 8:05 AM Munich Hbf | 6h00 | 2:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1010 | On time 8:19 AM Munich Hbf | 4h14 | 12:33 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 724 | On time 8:40 AM Munich Hbf | 5h57 | 2:37 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 610 | 9:28 AM Munich Hbf | 4h42 | 2:10 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 722 | On time 9:39 AM Munich Hbf | 5h58 | 3:37 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 880 · ICE 1228 | On time 10:12 AM Munich Hbf | 5h54 | 4:06 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 918 | On time 10:19 AM Munich Hbf | 4h14 | 2:33 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1600 · ICE 720 | On time 10:22 AM Munich Hbf | 6h15 | 4:37 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 1 transfer | |
ICE 598 · IC 2012 | On time 10:45 AM Munich Hbf | 6h22 | 5:07 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 680 · ICE 628 | On time 11:12 AM Munich Hbf | 6h21 | 5:33 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 1 transfer | |
ICE 518 | On time 11:28 AM Munich Hbf | 4h37 | 4:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 788 · ICE 28 | On time 12:06 PM Munich Hbf | 6h00 | 6:06 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 916 | On time 12:20 PM Munich Hbf | 4h13 | 4:33 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1508 · ICE 626 | On time 12:21 PM Munich Hbf | 6h13 | 6:34 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 1 transfer | |
ICE 588 · ICE 624 | On time 1:10 PM Munich Hbf | 6h24 | 7:34 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 1 transfer | |
ICE 516 | On time 1:28 PM Munich Hbf | 4h37 | 6:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 786 · ICE 1224 | On time 2:06 PM Munich Hbf | 5h59 | 8:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 224 | On time 2:20 PM Munich Hbf | 4h24 | 6:44 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1506 · ICE 622 | On time 2:21 PM Munich Hbf | 6h18 | 8:39 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1506 · ICE 622 · S8 · ICE 10 | On time 2:21 PM Munich Hbf | 5h19 | 7:40 PM Cologne Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 514 | On time 3:28 PM Munich Hbf | 4h44 | 8:12 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 784 · ICE 24 | On time 4:06 PM Munich Hbf | 5h59 | 10:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 912 | On time 4:20 PM Munich Hbf | 4h13 | 8:33 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1504 · ICE 528 | On time 4:21 PM Munich Hbf | 6h11 | 10:32 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 1 transfer | |
ICE 592 · 4799 · IC 2347 | On time 4:45 PM Munich Hbf | 6h42 | 11:27 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 584 · ICE 526 | On time 5:10 PM Munich Hbf | 6h20 | 11:30 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 1 transfer | |
ICE 512 | On time 5:28 PM Munich Hbf | 4h36 | 10:04 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
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 Munich to Cologne run on average 17 times per day, taking around 4h 58m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $25 (€20) if you book in advance.
There are 10 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 283 miles (456 km) distance in 4h 20m.
Distance 283 miles (456 km) |
Average train duration 4h 58m |
Cheapest ticket price $25 (€20) |
Trains per day 17 |
Direct trains 10 |
Fastest train 4h 20m |
First train 12:01 AM |
Last train 11:58 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 91 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 known for its Picasso collection, Pop Art, and works by leading 20th-century artists beside the cathedral.
One of Germany’s important fine art museums, with medieval painting, Baroque masters, and strong 19th-century holdings in the city center.
Key archaeological museum for Cologne’s Roman heritage. The main building has been under redevelopment, but the collection remains a city highlight.
Popular riverside promenade and steps on the Deutz side, famous for one of the best panoramic views of Cologne Cathedral and the skyline.
Historic Old Town square lined with traditional façades and lively public space, ideal for soaking up Cologne’s central atmosphere.
Large central square in the Old Town, often used for events and a convenient base for exploring nearby historic streets and the riverfront.
Cologne’s iconic pale ale, traditionally served in small Stangen glasses. It is central to the city’s brewing culture and best enjoyed in a classic brauhaus.
A classic Cologne dish of mashed potatoes and apple sauce, often served with black pudding and fried onions. The sweet-savory combination is a Rhineland favorite.
Despite the name, this is not chicken but a rye roll with Gouda cheese, butter, mustard, and onions. It is a traditional brauhaus snack served with Kölsch.
A respected fine-dining restaurant offering creative modern cuisine and tasting menus, representing Cologne’s upscale food scene.
Historic brewery tavern with its own Kölsch, appreciated for authentic Cologne food, old-world atmosphere, and communal wooden tables.
A long-established, casual local favorite especially known for large schnitzels and hearty Rhineland comfort food in a friendly atmosphere.
Moderate for Germany: museums and transit are reasonable, while hotels and dining in central areas cost more.
Service is usually included, but rounding up or leaving 5-10% is customary in restaurants. Round up in taxis. Small tips are appreciated for hotel staff.
Official public transport app
Cologne Hbf, Cologne -> Cologne Cathedral, Cologne
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Munich 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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