Travel options
from Amsterdam to Cologne

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

Our recommendation

To get from Amsterdam to Cologne on Jan 23 we recommend taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

02:00PMAmsterdam5h40 07:40PMKöln, Köln Bonn Airport
0 changes
$241One-way
Cheapest
02:00PMAmsterdam5h40 07:40PMKöln, Köln Bonn Airport
0 changes
$241One-way
Other options
07:35AMAmsterdam10h00 05:35PMKöln, Köln Bonn Airport
1 changes
$611One-way

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

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Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights

Sun
Jan 23
$23Deutsche Bahn
$24STUDENT AGENCY k.s.
Mon
Jan 24
$23Deutsche Bahn
$20STUDENT AGENCY k.s.
Tue
Jan 25
$23Deutsche Bahn
$20STUDENT AGENCY k.s.
Wed
Jan 26
$23Deutsche Bahn
$24STUDENT AGENCY k.s.
Thu
Jan 27
$23Deutsche Bahn
$24STUDENT AGENCY k.s.
Fri
Jan 28
$23Deutsche Bahn
$20Flixbus
Sat
Jan 29
$23Deutsche Bahn
$24Flixbus
Sun
Jan 30
$23Deutsche Bahn
$24STUDENT AGENCY k.s.
Mon
Jan 31
$23Deutsche Bahn
$18Flixbus
Tue
Feb 1
$23Deutsche Bahn
$18Flixbus
Wed
Feb 2
$23Deutsche Bahn
$24Flixbus
Thu
Feb 3
$23Deutsche Bahn
$24Flixbus
Fri
Feb 4
$23Deutsche Bahn
$20Flixbus
Sat
Feb 5
$23Deutsche Bahn
$24Flixbus
Sun
Feb 6
$23Deutsche Bahn
$16STUDENT AGENCY k.s.
Mon
Feb 7
$23Deutsche Bahn
$16STUDENT AGENCY k.s.
Tue
Feb 8
$23Deutsche Bahn
$16STUDENT AGENCY k.s.
Wed
Feb 9
$23Deutsche Bahn
$24Flixbus
Thu
Feb 10
$23Deutsche Bahn
$16STUDENT AGENCY k.s.
Fri
Feb 11
$23Deutsche Bahn
$16STUDENT AGENCY k.s.

Travel Information to Cologne from Amsterdam

distanceDistance133 miles (214 km)
modeAvailable travel modesBus or train
priceTicket price range$16 - $23
cheapestCheapest modeBus • $16 (€13) • 5 h 40 min
fastestFastest modeTrain • $23 (€19) • 2 h 59 min
carriersPopular travel companiesSTUDENT AGENCY k. S. Or Deutsche Bahn

Travel 133 miles (214 km) by bus or train between Amsterdam and Cologne. If speed is a priority, then a train is the best option with an average duration of 2 h 59 min; whereas, if saving money is more important, then a bus is the best option with prices starting as low as $16 (€13). The most popular travel companies which serve this journey are STUDENT AGENCY k. S. Or Deutsche Bahn among others. Travelers can even take a direct bus or train from Amsterdam to Cologne.

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.


Buses from Amsterdam to Cologne

Eurolines, Megabus, Semitimes and Regiojet all provide daily direct buses from Amsterdam to Cologne. Every day, there are 4 direct buses, and all of them leave in early afternoon between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The fastest buses take 5 hours 15 minutes, while some services take 7 hours, so there is quite a lot of variation. There are also indirect Flixbus buses that take 4 hours to reach Cologne with a stop in Leverkusen.

Trains from Amsterdam to Cologne

Deutsche Bahn operates frequent trains from Amsterdam to Cologne. Trains start departing as early as 5:20 a.m. and continue to leave almost every hour until a final departure at 8:30 p.m. There are no direct services to Cologne from Amsterdam and a change in Arnhem is usually required. Even then, the journey time is only around 3 hours with the change included.

Flights from Amsterdam to Cologne

KLM operates direct flights from Amsterdam to Cologne. The earliest flight leaves Amsterdam at 6:50 a.m. and there are four other departures throughout the day, concluding with a 4:50 p.m. take off time. All flights take 50 minutes to reach their destination, but when transit times are factored in, this can rise to around 4 hours, door to door.

Travel Tips: 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

What COVID-19 safety information and travel restrictions should I be aware of before I go to Cologne, Germany from Amsterdam, Netherlands?

Travel from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Cologne, Germany is: Partially open.

Is international entry into Cologne from Amsterdam restricted?

International entry is currently allowed for: Entry is partially open for citizens and permanent residents of Netherlands.

Do I need to self-quarantine upon arrival to Cologne, Germany from Amsterdam?

  • Negative COVID-19 test issued at most 2 days before arrival and 10 day mandatory self quarantine
  • Travellers with a certificate of vaccination are exempt from compulsory quarantine
  • Travellers who have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months are exempt from compulsory quarantine (certificate needed)
  • Negative COVID-19 test is required to end quarantine early. This test occurs on day 5 in quarantine
  • Digital entry registration is required prior to arrival
  • The exact quarantine requirements depend on the regulations in each federal state

What are the COVID-19 safety measures to follow in Cologne, Germany?

The government of Germany has imposed the following measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • Social distance requirement: 1.5 metre (s) (5 feet)
  • Face mask requirement: Mandatory

The above information was last verified on 1/21/22. Remember to check the latest COVID-19 travel safety regulations for your trip from Amsterdam to Cologne closer to your planned date of departure here.

Are there restrictions on my return trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands from Cologne, Germany due to COVID-19?

The current restriction level for returning to Amsterdam, Netherlands from Germany is: Partially open.

Am I allowed to reenter Amsterdam, Netherlands from Cologne, Germany?

Reentering Netherlands is currently allowed for: Entry is partially open for citizens and permanent residents of Germany

Do I need to self-quarantine when I arrive back to Amsterdam from Cologne?

  • Negative COVID-19 test issued at most 3 days before arrival
  • Travellers issued with the EU Digital COVID Certificate are exempt from quarantine and COVID-19 testing
  • Health declaration required

Which rules do I need to follow in Amsterdam, Netherlands regarding COVID-19?

All travelers returning to Netherlands must observe the following safety measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the country:

  • Physical distance: 1.5 metre (s) (5 feet)
  • Face masks: Mandatory

The information above was last checked on 1/20/22. We do our best to keep this information up-to-date, but regulations can change due to the nature of the coronavirus pandemic, so please double check the latest COVID-19 travel safety regulations ahead of your trip back to Amsterdam from Cologne here.

How do I go from Amsterdam to Cologne?

There are 2 ways that you can travel from Amsterdam to Cologne. You can take a bus or train.

What is the cheapest way to get from Amsterdam to Cologne?

The cheapest way to get from Amsterdam to Cologne is by taking a bus. You can find average ticket prices around $16 (€13) compared to other travel options to Cologne:

A bus is $7 (€6) less than a train for this journey with tickets for a train from Amsterdam to Cologne costing on average $23 (€19).

What is the quickest way from Amsterdam to Cologne?

The fastest way from Amsterdam to Cologne is by train with an average journey time of 2 h 59 min.

There are alternative travel options to Cologne that can usually take longer:

In comparison, getting to Cologne by bus can take on average 5 h 40 min.

How many miles from Amsterdam to Cologne would I travel?

The distance is approximately 133 miles (214 km) from Amsterdam to Cologne.

How many scheduled departures are there a day from Amsterdam to Cologne?

The average frequency per day from Amsterdam to Cologne is:

  • 6 trains per day.

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

When traveling to Cologne from Amsterdam, where do I depart from Amsterdam and where do I arrive in Cologne?

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Amsterdam to Cologne:

  • Buses most often depart from Amsterdam at Amsterdam, Radarweg (Sloterdijk) and arrive in Cologne at Köln, Köln Bonn Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from Amsterdam Centraal and arrive in Köln Hbf.

Which travel operators can get me to Cologne from Amsterdam?

Omio works with many trusted partners that can help you travel the best way from Amsterdam to Cologne:

  • You can travel by bus between Amsterdam and Cologne with STUDENT AGENCY k. S. And you can find STUDENT AGENCY k. S. Amsterdam to Cologne tickets for $16 (€13) on Omio.
  • You can go to Cologne from Amsterdam by train with Deutsche Bahn. You'll see cheap train tickets for $23 (€19) with Deutsche Bahn from Amsterdam to Cologne on Omio.

Is there a way to travel directly from Amsterdam to Cologne?

Yes, there are direct services available from Amsterdam to Cologne with the following travel companies:

  • You can find around 6 direct trains per day and travel with Deutsche Bahn.

Direct services tend to save you time and add more convenience in getting you to Cologne as you won't need to transfer at another stop in between, so it's worth paying attention to before booking your tickets between Amsterdam and Cologne.

Where should I go next after I travel from Amsterdam to Cologne?

Looking to extend your trip from Amsterdam to Cologne? Many Omio customers who go from Amsterdam to Cologne usually extend their vacation to explore other popular destinations like Berlin, Brussels or Paris. If you're looking to explore Berlin, Brussels or Paris from Cologne, let Omio find you the best connections available at an affordable price.

How far in advance should I buy my Amsterdam to Cologne one way ticket online to get the best deals?

When planning your trip from Amsterdam to Cologne, it’s good to keep in mind what tickets to buy and their prices in the next 7 days:

  • Bus tickets cost on average $16 (€13) one way.
  • Train tickets cost $23 (€19) one way on average.

However, we recommend buying tickets from Amsterdam to Cologne online a few months in advance to get the best deals and save money on your upcoming journey.