The cheapest and fastest trains from Zurich to Cologne
Cheapest price
$181
Average price
$181
Fastest journey
7 h 54 m
Average duration
7 h 54 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
225 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Zurich to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Zurich to Cologne will cost around $181 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $181.
Of the 1 trains that leave Zurich for Cologne on Sun, Dec 21, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Dec 21 the direct trains cover the 225 km distance in an average of 7 h 54 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 7 h 54 m .
On Sun, Dec 21 the slowest trains will take 7 h 54 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.


Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Zurich to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Zurich to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €26. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 4h 53m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €26, and a flight costs an average of €103.
Distance: 139 miles (225 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
€75 Average price | €208 Average price | €38 Average price Cheapest |
5h 23m Average total duration Fastest 4h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 8m Average total duration 9h 8m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 20m Average total duration 6h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Zurich to Cologne train times
The table below shows live departures for Zurich to Cologne trains for today, Saturday, December 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:59 PM Zurich | 7h54 | 5:53 AM Koeln Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Zurich 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 21
Dec 22
Dec 23
Dec 24
Dec 25
Dec 26
Dec 27
Why should you book Zurich to Cologne trains with Omio?
ÖBB Nightjet operates all train services from Zurich to Cologne. Omio is the only official third party seller for ÖBB Nightjet tickets.
Why book with Omio vs ÖBB Nightjet?
- 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 ÖBB Nightjet with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Zurich to Cologne.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Official reseller: ÖBB Nightjet tickets can only be bought on Omio or ÖBB Nightjet's website as Omio is the only official third party seller for ÖBB Nightjet tickets. Trainline, RailEurope, and Rail.Ninja do not sell ÖBB Nightjet tickets as they are not official sellers.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Zurich to Cologne.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Zurich to Cologne
Trains from Zurich to Cologne run on average 9 times per day, taking around 4h 53m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $57 (€45) but you can travel from only $33 (€26) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:20, the last at 18:20. The fastest train covers the 139 miles (225 km) distance in 4h 46m.
Distance 139 miles (225 km) |
Average train duration 4h 53m |
Cheapest ticket price $57 (€45) |
Trains per day 9 |
Fastest train 4h 46m |
First train 00:20 |
Last train 18:20 |
Train companies: ÖBB Nightjet from Zurich to Cologne trainsÖBB Nightjet trains will get you between Zurich and Cologne from $33 (€26). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
ÖBB Nightjet
FAQs: Trains from Zurich to Cologne
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Zurich 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 Zurich to Cologne
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7. Access via Gessnerallee and Sihlquai.
- Restaurant Au Premier
- Brasserie Federal
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- CHF 2
- Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
- Hotel St. Gotthard
- Central Plaza Hotel
- Cost CHF 12
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- 1,300 places, mostly covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms 3-18 for long-distance trains
- Hall 2: S-Bahn platforms 21-24
- Hall 3: underground S-Bahn platforms 41-44
- Tram: Lines 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 13, 14
- Bus: Several lines available
- S-Bahn: Lines S2, S3, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S11, S12, S15, S16, S24
More options for your journey from Zurich to Cologne
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