Cheapest
Average
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Paris to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Fastest Journey
3 h 24 m
Average
4 h 13 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
403 km
It's difficult to get from Paris to Cologne without transferring at least once.
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Distance | 249 miles (402 km) | |
Average train duration | 3 h 24 min | |
Average train ticket price | $170 (€152) | |
Train frequency | 10 a day | |
Direct train | Yes, there are 4 direct trains a day | |
Train providers | Deutsche Bahn with connection, Thalys or Deutsche Bahn |
Trains from Paris to Cologne cover the 249 miles (402 km) long trip taking on average 3 h 24 min with our travel partners like Deutsche Bahn with connection, Thalys or Deutsche Bahn. Normally, there are 10 trains operating per day, including direct services available. While the average ticket price for this journey costs around $170 (€152), you can find the cheapest train ticket for as low as $102 (€92). Travelers depart most frequently from Paris Gare du Nord and arrive in Köln Hbf.
For as little as $102 (€92) you can travel by train between Paris and Cologne with Thalys and Deutsche Bahn. Omio will show you the best deals, schedules and tickets available for this route.
Thalys is a high-speed train company with trains between Paris and Cologne based in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. It operates a fleet of modern, comfortable trains that travel at speeds of up to 300 km/h. Thalys offers a variety of ticket types, including Standard, Comfort and Premium, each with its own set of benefits. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, power outlets, a bistro car and a selection of newspapers and magazines. The most popular routes for Thalys are Paris to Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne.
Train information from Paris to Cologne with Thalys:
Traveling by train from Paris to Cologne is a convenient method of transportation for this route. There around 22 trains which depart daily from Paris to Cologne. This route has only five direct trains and 17 trains that require a number of transfers. Passengers can choose from two different train providers, Deutsche Bahn and Thalys. The average total travel time from Paris to Cologne is around five hours and 55 minutes.
There are two companies that travel by train from Paris to Cologne, giving passengers 22 options when choosing a travel time. The trains on this route run from either Paris Gare du Nord station or the Paris Gare de l'Est station and arrive in either Cologne Hbf or Cologne Messe/Deutz. The first train on this route leaves at around 6:00 a.m. and the last one is at around 7:00 p.m.
Traveling by train from Paris to Cologne is not only convenient but it is also relatively quick. The average travel time for the journey is of around five hours. However, with the direct trains, passengers will arrive at the final destination in just three hours and 35 minutes. The longest train, which requires multiple transfers, takes about five hours and 55 minutes.
Departure train station: When departing from Paris travelers will leave from the Paris Gare du Nord station or the Paris Gare de l'Est station. Paris Gare du Nord station is located almost three miles (four km) from the city center and may be reached by subway in 27 minutes. The Paris Gare de l'Est station is located almost half a mile (one km) away from the city center and can be accessed by subway in three minutes or on foot in ten minutes. Both train stations are equipped with public bathrooms, shops, cafes, as well as restaurants.
Arrival train station: When arriving in Cologne passengers will either get off at Cologne Hbf station or Cologne Messe/Deutz station. The Cologne Hbf station is located around one mile (two km) away from the city center and can be accessed in 15 minutes on the tram. The Cologne Messe/Deutz station is located about two miles (three km) away from the city center and may be reached in 17 minutes with the tram. Both train stations are complete with cafes, restaurants, public bathrooms, and shops.
Travelers will be able to choose from two train companies for their journey by train from Paris to Cologne. Deutsche Bahn and Thalys both provide modern, fast, and reliable trains for the route between these two cities. However, only Thalys services the five direct trains from Paris to Cologne.
Deutsche Bahn company services around 15 trains for the route by train from Paris to Cologne. The Deutsche Bahn will bring passengers to their destination in a little over five hours. The Deutsche Bahn train departs at all hours of the day and only from Paris Gare de l'Est station.
The Thalys company provides five daily direct trains for the route from Paris to Cologne. Thalys offers high-speed and direct trains with the shortest total travel time of three hours and 20 minutes. Trains depart from morning to evening and only leave from the Paris Gare du Nord station.
Travelers will have the choice of purchasing first and second class tickets while riding with both Thalys and Deutsche Bahn. The service on first class carriages in these trains provides passengers with spacious and comfortable seating, in-carriage dining and WiFi. Passengers with limited mobility may request assistance for their travel by contacting Deutsche Bahn or Thalys at least 48 hours before their departure. In regards to luggage, Thalys allows only one small bag and two suitcases, while Deutsche Bahn does not have any restrictions. Travelers may bring a small pet on board of the train, free of charge, if it weighs less than 22 pounds (ten kg) for Deutsche Bahn trains and 14 pounds (six kg) for Thalys trains. Bikes may also be brought on board all trains if they are folded or dissembled.
Train tickets from Paris to Cologne may become quite expensive but there are a few tips to ensure that travelers get the best price for this route. Booking tickets at least a few weeks to a month before the departure date will help travelers find the cheapest prices. Moreover, looking at various departure dates and times with the Omio app will allow travelers to have multiple price offers which they can choose from.
The rule of buying in advance to save money is not only valid when booking a flight but also for train travel. Train tickets are generally on sale 6 months before the departure date. Some train booking tips from us:
When departing from Paris, you have various train station options to start your journey from including Paris Gare du Nord, Paris Gare de Lyon and Paris Gare de l'Est. When arriving in Cologne, you can end your trip in train stations like Köln Hbf, Köln/Bonn Flughafen and Köln Messe/Deutz.
Passengers board the train most frequently from Paris Gare du Nord, which is located around 2.8 miles (4.5 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Köln Hbf, located 1.6 miles (2.5 km) away from the city centre.
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