- 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
$41
Average price
$58
Fastest journey
1 h 58 m
Average duration
2 h 16 m
Trains per day
10
Distance
127 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Nijmegen to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Nijmegen to Cologne will cost around $58 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $41.
It's difficult to get from Nijmegen to Cologne without transferring at least once.
IC 3016 · ICE 141 · 21331 · ICE 529
IC 3016 · ICE 141 · ICE 103
32225 · 20073 · 10617
32289 · 20065 · 10609
IC 3024 · ICE 143 · 21333 · ICE 623
IC 3028 · ICE 225
IC 3020 · ICE 121
32225 · 20073 · 10617
IC 3024 · ICE 143 · 21333 · ICE 623
IC 3016 · ICE 141 · 21331 · ICE 529Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Nijmegen to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $15. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 16m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $15, and a train costs an average of $26.
Distance: 78 miles (127 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$57 Average price | $26 Average price Cheapest | $34 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 46m Average total duration Fastest 2h 16m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 35m Average total duration 3h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 57m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Nijmegen to Cologne:
A bus is $31 (€25) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Nijmegen to Cologne costing on average $57 (€47).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 5m.
Tickets start at around $57 (€47) compared to roughly $34 (€28) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-23.01 (€-18.85). The journey takes 2h 16m versus 1h 57m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Nijmegen to Cologne trains for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IC 3020 · ICE 121 | On time 7:13 AM Nijmegen station | 1h58 | 9:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 3122+ 20013+ 26810 | 7:28 AM Nijmegen station | 2h43 | 10:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
32225 · 20073 · 10617 | 8:08 AM Nijmegen station | 2h27 | 10:35 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3024 · ICE 143 · ICE 105 | On time 8:13 AM Nijmegen station | 2h35 | 10:48 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3024 · ICE 143 · 21333 · ICE 623 | On time 8:13 AM Nijmegen station | 2h29 | 10:42 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 3 transfers | |
IC 3028 · ICE 225 | On time 9:13 AM Nijmegen station | 1h58 | 11:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 3130+ 20017+ 26814 | 9:28 AM Nijmegen station | 2h43 | 12:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
32233 · 20077 · 10621 | 10:08 AM Nijmegen station | 2h27 | 12:35 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3032 · ICE 145 · ICE 107 | On time 10:13 AM Nijmegen station | 2h35 | 12:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3036 · ICE 123 | On time 11:13 AM Nijmegen station | 1h58 | 1:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 3138+ 20021+ IC 5106 | On time 11:28 AM Nijmegen station | 2h42 | 2:10 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
32241 · 20081 · 10625 | 12:08 PM Nijmegen station | 2h27 | 2:35 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3040 · ICE 147 · 89882 · ICE 721 | On time 12:13 PM Nijmegen station | 2h29 | 2:42 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 3 transfers | |
IC 3040 · ICE 147 · ICE 109 | On time 12:13 PM Nijmegen station | 2h35 | 2:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3044 · ICE 125 | On time 1:13 PM Nijmegen station | 1h58 | 3:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 3146+ 20025+ 26822 | 1:28 PM Nijmegen station | 2h43 | 4:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
32249 · 20085 · 10629 | 2:08 PM Nijmegen station | 2h27 | 4:35 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3048 · ICE 149 · 89886 · ICE 725 | On time 2:13 PM Nijmegen station | 2h29 | 4:42 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 3 transfers | |
IC 3048 · ICE 149 · ICE 201 | 2:13 PM Nijmegen station | 2h35 | 4:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3052 · ICE 127 | 3:13 PM Nijmegen station | 1h58 | 5:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 3154+ 20029+ 26826 | 3:28 PM Nijmegen station | 2h43 | 6:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
32257 · 20089 · 10633 | 4:08 PM Nijmegen station | 2h27 | 6:35 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3056 · ICE 241 · ICE 203 | On time 4:13 PM Nijmegen station | 2h35 | 6:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3056 · ICE 241 · 89890 · ICE 729 | On time 4:13 PM Nijmegen station | 2h29 | 6:42 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 3 transfers | |
IC 3056 · ICE 241 · 21339 · ICE 729 | On time 4:13 PM Nijmegen station | 2h29 | 6:42 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 3 transfers | |
IC 3060 · ICE 129 | 5:13 PM Nijmegen station | 1h58 | 7:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 3162+ 20033+ 26830 | 5:28 PM Nijmegen station | 2h43 | 8:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
32265 · 20093 · 10637 | 6:08 PM Nijmegen station | 2h27 | 8:35 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3064 · ICE 243 · ICE 205 | On time 6:13 PM Nijmegen station | 2h35 | 8:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3064 · ICE 243 · 21341 · ICE 823 | 6:13 PM Nijmegen station | 2h18 | 8:31 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 3 transfers | |
IC 3068 · ICE 221 | On time 7:13 PM Nijmegen station | 1h58 | 9:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 3170+ 20037+ 26834 | 7:28 PM Nijmegen station | 2h43 | 10:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
32273 · 20097 · 10641 | 8:08 PM Nijmegen station | 2h27 | 10:35 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
32277 · 20099 · 10643 | 9:08 PM Nijmegen station | 2h27 | 11:35 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3078 · IC 60403 | 9:43 PM Nijmegen station | 2h10 | 11:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 3672+ 20043+ 26840 | 10:24 PM Nijmegen station | 2h58 | 1:22 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
| Saturday, June 20 | |||||
32289 · 20065 · 10609 | 12:08 AM Nijmegen station | 6h27 | 6:35 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 21436 · 26852+ 20009 | 2:12 AM Nijmegen station | 5h59 | 8:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3016 · ICE 141 · ICE 103 | On time 6:13 AM Nijmegen station | 2h35 | 8:48 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3016 · ICE 141 · 21331 · ICE 529 | On time 6:13 AM Nijmegen station | 2h29 | 8:42 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 3 transfers | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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 Nijmegen to Cologne run on average 5 times per day, taking around 2h 16m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $26 (€21) but you can travel from only $15 (€12) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:08, the last at 22:25. The fastest train covers the 78 miles (127 km) distance in 2h 5m.
Distance 78 miles (127 km) |
Average train duration 2h 16m |
Cheapest ticket price $26 (€21) |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 2h 5m |
First train 12:08 AM |
Last train 10:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 49 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 Nijmegen 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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