- 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
$74
Average price
$137
Fastest journey
4 h 9 m
Average duration
4 h 9 m
Trains per day
42
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 $137 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $74.
Of the 42 trains that leave Munich for Cologne on Thu, Jun 18, 26 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jun 18 the direct trains cover the 456 km distance in an average of 4 h 9 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 9 m .
On Thu, Jun 18 the slowest trains will take 4 h 10 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 698 · IC 60402
ICE 510
ICE 1014 · ICE 1022
ICE 522 · ICE 920
ICE 1014
ICE 916
ICE 912
ICE 1010
ICE 918Omio 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 $31. 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 $31, and a flight costs an average of $130.
Distance: 283 miles (456 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$103 Average price | $51 Average price Cheapest | $307 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 $103 (€84).
A bus is $256 (€207) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Munich to Cologne costing on average $307 (€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 $103 (€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, Wednesday, June 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 1014 | On time 4:20 AM Munich Hbf | 4h09 | 8:29 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1014 · ICE 1022 | On time 4:20 AM Munich Hbf | 5h46 | 10:06 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 822 | On time 4:41 AM Munich Hbf | 4h33 | 9:14 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1068 · ICE 774 · ICE 1049 | On time 4:59 AM Munich Hbf | 6h06 | 11:05 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 614 | On time 5:33 AM Munich Hbf | 4h32 | 10:05 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 612 | On time 7:28 AM Munich Hbf | 4h37 | 12:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 726 | On time 7:42 AM Munich Hbf | 4h32 | 12:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1010 · ICE 926 | On time 8:19 AM Munich Hbf | 5h46 | 2:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1010 | On time 8:19 AM Munich Hbf | 4h10 | 12:29 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 724 | On time 8:45 AM Munich Hbf | 4h29 | 1:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 690 · ICE 200 | On time 8:45 AM Munich Hbf | 4h20 | 1:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 568 · ICE 770 · ICE 1645 | On time 9:02 AM Munich Hbf | 6h03 | 3:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 610 | 9:28 AM Munich Hbf | 4h37 | 2:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 722 | On time 9:46 AM Munich Hbf | 4h28 | 2:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 918 | On time 10:19 AM Munich Hbf | 4h10 | 2:29 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 918 · ICE 228 | On time 10:19 AM Munich Hbf | 5h47 | 4:06 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 518 | On time 11:28 AM Munich Hbf | 4h37 | 4:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 628 | On time 11:45 AM Munich Hbf | 4h29 | 4:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 626 | On time 12:45 PM Munich Hbf | 4h29 | 5:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 596 · ICE 106 | On time 12:45 PM Munich Hbf | 4h20 | 5:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 516 | On time 1:28 PM Munich Hbf | 4h37 | 6:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 624 | On time 1:45 PM Munich Hbf | 4h29 | 6:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 224 | On time 2:20 PM Munich Hbf | 4h23 | 6:43 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 224 · ICE 26 | On time 2:20 PM Munich Hbf | 5h46 | 8:06 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 594 · ICE 104 | On time 2:45 PM Munich Hbf | 4h20 | 7:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 622 | On time 2:45 PM Munich Hbf | 4h29 | 7:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 514 | On time 3:28 PM Munich Hbf | 4h37 | 8:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 620 | On time 3:45 PM Munich Hbf | 4h29 | 8:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 912 · ICE 24 | On time 4:20 PM Munich Hbf | 5h45 | 10:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 912 | On time 4:20 PM Munich Hbf | 4h09 | 8:29 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 528 | On time 4:44 PM Munich Hbf | 4h30 | 9:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 2582 · ICE 102 | On time 4:46 PM Munich Hbf | 4h19 | 9:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 512 | On time 5:28 PM Munich Hbf | 4h37 | 10:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 526 | On time 5:46 PM Munich Hbf | 4h28 | 10:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 910 · ICE 22 | On time 6:19 PM Munich Hbf | 5h47 | 12:06 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 910 | On time 6:19 PM Munich Hbf | 4h11 | 10:30 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 524 | On time 6:44 PM Munich Hbf | 4h55 | 11:39 PM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 590 · ICE 100 | On time 6:45 PM Munich Hbf | 4h25 | 11:10 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 510 | On time 7:28 PM Munich Hbf | 4h42 | 12:10 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 522 | On time 7:45 PM Munich Hbf | 4h46 | 12:31 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 522 · ICE 920 | On time 7:45 PM Munich Hbf | 6h20 | 2:05 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 698 · IC 60402 | On time 10:21 PM Munich Hbf | 7h23 | 5:44 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1080 · ICE 699 · IC 60402 | On time 10:23 PM Munich Hbf | 7h21 | 5:44 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 618 | 11:50 PM Munich Hbf | 6h14 | 6:04 AM 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 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 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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