The cheapest and fastest trains from Salzburg to Cologne
Cheapest price
$205
Average price
$205
Fastest journey
6 h 34 m
Average duration
6 h 39 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
562 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Salzburg to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Salzburg to Cologne will cost around $205 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $205.
It's difficult to get from Salzburg to Cologne without transferring at least once.
NJ 236+
ICE 1012
NJ 236+
ICE 1012+
DB S19
NJ 236+
ICE 1012
NJ 236+
ICE 1012+
DB S19Salzburg - CologneCompare Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB Nightjet, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), ÖBB | Railjet

Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.




Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Salzburg to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Salzburg to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €27. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 14m. 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 €27, and a flight costs an average of €130.
Distance: 349 miles (562 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€144 Average price | €55 Average price Cheapest | €495 Average price |
8h 41m Average total duration 8h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 7m Average total duration 11h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 14m Average total duration Fastest 1h 14m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.6 - 1.4kg CO2 emissions | 1.7 - 3.4kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Salzburg to Cologne train times
The table below shows live departures for Salzburg to Cologne trains for today, Thursday, December 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
79016+ ICE 918 | On time 7:05 AM Salzburg Hbf | 6h24 | 1:29 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 1 transfer | |
RJX 260 · ICE 598 · ICE 108 | On time 8:00 AM Salzburg Hbf | 6h05 | 2:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
79020+ ICE 518 | On time 8:05 AM Salzburg Hbf | 7h00 | 3:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
27970+ 79020+ ICE 518 | On time 8:08 AM Salzburg Hbf | 6h57 | 3:05 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 549+ ICE 28+ 10832 | 8:11 AM Salzburg Hbf | 9h42 | 5:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 549+ ICE 28 | 8:11 AM Salzburg Hbf | 9h32 | 5:43 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 1 transfer | |
ICE 210 · ICE 1514 | On time 9:00 AM Salzburg Hbf | 7h33 | 4:33 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
79022+ ICE 916 | On time 9:05 AM Salzburg Hbf | 6h24 | 3:29 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 1 transfer | |
27972+ 79022+ ICE 916 | On time 9:08 AM Salzburg Hbf | 6h21 | 3:29 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 2 transfers | |
| Friday, December 19 | |||||
NJ 236+ ICE 1012 | 2:55 AM Salzburg Hbf | 6h34 | 9:29 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 1 transfer | |
NJ 236+ ICE 1012+ DB S19 | 2:55 AM Salzburg Hbf | 6h44 | 9:39 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Salzburg to Cologne by train, bus, or flight
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.
Dec 19
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Dec 26
Dec 27
Dec 28
Dec 29
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Dec 31
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Jan 08
Why should you book Salzburg to Cologne trains with Omio?
Deutsche Bahn (ICE,IC,EC,RB) as well as ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB Nightjet and ÖBB | Euro City (EC) offer trains services from Salzburg to Cologne. Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Salzburg to Cologne.
Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn (ICE,IC,EC,RB)?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn (ICE,IC,EC,RB), but also compare tickets for the likes of ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB Nightjet and ÖBB | Euro City (EC) to find the best option for your trip from Salzburg to Cologne.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Deutsche Bahn (ICE,IC,EC,RB) with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Salzburg to Cologne.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Multiple travel company options: While Deutsche Bahn (ICE,IC,EC,RB) tickets can be bought on Deutsche Bahn (ICE,IC,EC,RB)'s website or third party sellers, Omio allows you to compare with the likes of ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB Nightjet and ÖBB | Euro City (EC) to help you choose the right option for your journey from Salzburg to Cologne.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Salzburg to Cologne.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Salzburg to Cologne?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Salzburg to Cologne
Trains from Salzburg to Cologne run on average 8 times per day, taking around 8h 11m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $68 (€55) but you can travel from only $34 (€27) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 349 miles (562 km) distance in 6h 5m.
Distance 349 miles (562 km) |
Average train duration 8h 11m |
Cheapest ticket price $68 (€55) |
Trains per day 8 |
Fastest train 6h 5m |
First train 00:01 |
Last train 23:58 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB Nightjet, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), Meridian, BOB & BRB, Hungarian Railways (MÁV), Transdev GmbH, ÖBB | Railjet, Westbahn from Salzburg to Cologne trainsDeutsche Bahn, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB Nightjet, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), Meridian, BOB & BRB, Hungarian Railways (MÁV), Transdev GmbH, ÖBB | Railjet, Westbahn trains will get you between Salzburg and Cologne from $34 (€27). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Deutsche Bahn
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.
ÖBB | ICE
ÖBB Nightjet
ÖBB | Euro City (EC)
ÖBB | Railjet
Westbahn
Meridian, BOB & BRB
Hungarian Railways (MÁV)
Transdev GmbH
FAQs: Trains from Salzburg to Cologne
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Salzburg 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.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Salzburg to Cologne
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, accessible from Südtiroler Platz.
- Restaurant Imlauer
- Stieglitz
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- €1
- Hotel Europa Salzburg
- Wyndham Grand Salzburg Conference Centre
- H+ Hotel Salzburg
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-5 for ÖBB and Westbahn trains
- Hall 2: platforms 6-11 for regional and international trains
- Bus: Lines 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 25
- S-Bahn: Line S3
- Trolleybus: Lines 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
- Mon - Fri: 06:00 - 21:00
- Sat - Sun: 07:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only.
- There are luggage lockers in the station.
- asiagourmet
- Coffee Fellows
- dean&david
- Dunkin' Donuts
- KFC
- McDonald's
- Pizza Hut
- Nordsee
- Starbucks
- Schweinske
- & more
- Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
- Wyndham Koeln
- Hilton Cologne
- Excelsior Hotel Ernst
- One near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5.
- Monday: 06:00 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Thursday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Saturday: 08:00 - 17:00
- Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00
- Imbiss Athena
- Arena Grill
- Cafe Especial
- Joe Champs
- Pension Helenenwall
- Zur guten Quelle
- Zum Goldenen Hut
- Merlin
- Monday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Tuesday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Wednesday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Thursday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Friday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Saturday: 09:00 13:30 - 13:00 16:00
- Sunday: 12:00 16:00 - 15:30 20:00
- Café Bistro Leysieffer
- Mishba
- Ständige Vertretung
- Kamps
Most popular train connections from Salzburg
More options for your journey from Salzburg to Cologne
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