How to travel from Amsterdam to Cologne

Wed, Sep 16
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Lufthansa
VIAS Rail GmbH
Union Ivkoni International
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for Amsterdam to Cologne

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Amsterdam to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $26 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 58m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $26, while a flight costs an average of $494.

Distance: 132 miles (214 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Flight
Driving

$74

Average price

$26

Average price

Cheapest

$494

Average price

$60

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

4h 54m

Average total duration

4h 24m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

6h 23m

Average total duration

5h 53m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 58m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 58m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

3h 14m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.2 - 0.5kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Deutsche Bahn

Most popular train company

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Lufthansa

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.

The cheapest way to travel from Amsterdam to Cologne is a bus with an average price of $26 (€21).

This is compared to other travel options from Amsterdam to Cologne:

A bus is $47 (€39) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Amsterdam to Cologne costing on average $74 (€60).

A bus is $467 (€380) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Amsterdam to Cologne costing on average $494 (€402).

The fastest way to travel from Amsterdam to Cologne is by flight with an average journey time of 3h 58m.

Other travel options to Cologne take longer:

Train takes on average 4h 54m.

Bus takes on average 6h 23m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Amsterdam and Cologne including taking a train, bus, and flight.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Amsterdam to Cologne among Omio's users.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.

Tickets start at around $74 (€60) compared to roughly $60 (€49) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-13.86 (€-11.28). The journey takes 4h 24m versus 3h 14m 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.

Travel options
from Amsterdam to Cologne

How to get from Amsterdam to Cologne by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

bus

The best way to travel from Amsterdam to Cologne is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • FlixBusFlixBus+FlixTrainFlixTrain
    6:00 PM3h55
    Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk)
    9:55 PMCologne Hbf
    $171One-way
    1 transfer

Cheapest

  • FlixBusFlixBus+FlixTrainFlixTrain
    6:00 PM3h55
    Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk)
    9:55 PMCologne Hbf
    $171One-way
    1 transfer

Fastest

  • Deutsche BahnICE 221
    6:38 PM2h35
    Amsterdam Centraal
    9:13 PMCologne Hbf
    $741One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • Deutsche BahnIC 60403
    9:01 PM2h49
    Amsterdam Centraal
    11:50 PMCologne Hbf
    $321One-way
    0 transfers
  • Deutsche BahnIC 3579 · IC 3079 · ICE 209+VIAS Rail GmbH20043
    9:26 PM3h50
    Amsterdam Zuid
    1:16 AMCologne Hbf
    $321One-way
    3 transfers
  • Deutsche BahnIC 3079 · ICE 209+VIAS Rail GmbH20043
    9:24 PM3h52
    Amsterdam Centraal
    1:16 AMCologne Hbf
    $321One-way
    2 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus+FlixTrainFlixTrain
    9:00 AM4h41
    Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk)
    1:41 PMCologne Hbf
    $171One-way
    1 transfer
  • RegioJet a.s.(Amsterdam -> Prague)
    2:00 PM5h40
    Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk)
    7:40 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    $181One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    9:00 AM4h25
    Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk)
    1:25 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    $221One-way
    0 transfers
  • LufthansaLH2311 · LH1976
    8:15 AM4h10
    Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
    12:25 PMCologne Bonn Airport
    $4021One-way
    1 transfer
  • SwissLX729+EurowingsLX4428
    3:10 PM6h25
    Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
    9:35 PMCologne Bonn Airport
    $7361One-way
    1 transfer
  • Air BalticLX725+EurowingsLX4426
    9:50 AM7h15
    Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
    5:05 PMCologne Bonn Airport
    $7361One-way
    1 transfer

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Itineraries from Amsterdam to Cologne

Paris

Paris, Belgium, Amsterdam & Germany Itinerary: A 7-Day European Rail Adventure

Embark on a 7-day journey through four iconic European countries, traveling seamlessly by train. This itinerary takes you from the romantic streets of Paris to the historic canals of Bruges and Amsterdam, concluding in the vibrant German city of Cologne.

  1. 1Paris
  2. 2Bruges
  3. 3Amsterdam
  4. 4Cologne
Plan this itinerary
Paris

Paris Belgium Amsterdam Germany Itinerary: A Week of European Capitals and Charming Towns

Embark on a 7-day train journey through Western Europe, connecting the iconic cities of Paris, Bruges, Ghent, Amsterdam, and Cologne, experiencing diverse cultures and landscapes.

  1. 1Paris
  2. 2Bruges
  3. 3Amsterdam
  4. 4Cologne
Plan this itinerary
Amsterdam

Amsterdam and Germany Itinerary 10 Days: Canals, Cathedrals & Capital Cities

This 10-day itinerary takes you from the charming canals of Amsterdam to the historic grandeur of Cologne, culminating in the vibrant capital of Berlin. Travel efficiently by train between these iconic European destinations.

  1. 1Amsterdam
  2. 2Cologne
  3. 3Berlin
Plan this itinerary

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights

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.

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Travel from Amsterdam to Cologne: Journey Details

People traveling from Amsterdam to Cologne can take a bus, catch a Deutsche Bahn train or take a quick flight straight to Cologne. The fastest way to travel is probably flying, although taking a train can get you there in just 4 hours, and buses aren't that much slower, while car pooling services from Bla Bla Car can be quicker still.

Return trips from Cologne to Amsterdam are also available.

How to get from Amsterdam to Cologne

The Best Way According to our Users

Whether it is for business or leisure, in order to travel from Amsterdam to Cologne, 89,73% of our customers choose the train as their preferred mode of transportation. By traveling by train on this route, you can enjoy the comfort of spacious seats, spectacular views—and in some cases free Wi-Fi—in both second and first class. Our customers have decided that the train is the best way to get from Amsterdam to Cologne and have chosen to enjoy this fast, safe and efficient way to arrive at their destination. Taking the train also avoids long lines or potential expenses for transfers to/from the station—especially since most main railway stations are located in the city center. Train companies in Europe vary from country to country, but most of them offer high-speed train routes, therefore when you add up at the end-to-end journey time, the train is often also the fastest way to get to your destination.

Search on Omio to find cheap tickets from Amsterdam to Cologne. It’s easy to find the most attractive prices and choose your preferred route for your journey. Book on web or app, and travel with your mobile ticket —without the stress of printing your ticket.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

FAQs: Travel from Amsterdam to Cologne

Travel to Cologne easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Amsterdam to Cologne.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Amsterdam and Cologne including taking a train, bus, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Amsterdam to Cologne is a bus with an average price of $26 (€21).

This is compared to other travel options from Amsterdam to Cologne:

A bus is $47 (€39) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Amsterdam to Cologne costing on average $74 (€60).

A bus is $467 (€380) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Amsterdam to Cologne costing on average $494 (€402).

The fastest way to travel from Amsterdam to Cologne is by flight with an average journey time of 3h 58m.

Other travel options to Cologne take longer:

Train takes on average 4h 54m.

Bus takes on average 6h 23m.

The distance from Amsterdam to Cologne is approximately 132 miles (214 km).
The average frequency per day from Amsterdam to Cologne is:
  • Around 16 buses per day.
  • Around 8 trains per day.
  • Around 5 flights per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Amsterdam and Cologne as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Amsterdam to Cologne:
  • Flights mostly depart from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and arrive in Cologne Bonn Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from Amsterdam Centraal and arrive in Cologne Hbf.
  • Buses mostly depart from Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Amsterdam to Cologne, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Lufthansa, Swiss, KLM Cityhopper to go to Cologne by flight.
  • Travel with FlixBus, Union Ivkoni International, BlaBlaCar Bus, Infobus to go to Cologne by bus.
  • Travel with Deutsche Bahn, VIAS Rail GmbH, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) to go to Cologne by train.
Yes, there are direct services available from Amsterdam to Cologne with the following travel companies:
  • 0 direct flights per day with KLM Cityhopper.
  • 12 direct buses per day with FlixBus, Union Ivkoni International, Infobus.
  • 2 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS).
Omio customers who travel from Amsterdam to Cologne often also extend their vacation to go to Paris, Berlin, Brussels, London, Munich. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Cologne and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Cologne to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Cologne, you can explore the Cologne Chocolate Museum to learn about chocolate history and production, enjoy a scenic Rhine River Cruise, and visit the Botanical Gardens Flora for stunning floral displays. Discover trendy boutiques and vibrant street art in the Belgian Quarter, or attend a concert at the renowned Cologne Philharmonic Hall. Don't miss the iconic Cologne Cathedral, the modern art collection at Museum Ludwig, and the love lock-adorned Hohenzollern Bridge. Wander through the charming Old Town (Altstadt) and visit the diverse Cologne Zoo.
Three days are generally recommended to explore Cologne's main attractions, including the Cologne Cathedral, Old Town, and museums.
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