4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Basel to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Basel to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of ₫1,126,741 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 55m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of ₫1,126,741, while a flight costs an average of ₫16,655,478.
Distance: 234 miles (378 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
₫3,030,844 Average price | ₫1,126,741 Average price Cheapest | ₫16,655,478 Average price | ₫3,868,314 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 54m Average total duration 5h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 47m Average total duration 8h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 55m Average total duration Fastest 2h 55m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 36m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |  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.
Compare ways to travel from Basel to Cologne
Compare the available ways to get from Basel to Cologne, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Basel to Cologne:
A bus is ₫1,904,103 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Basel to Cologne costing on average ₫3,030,844.
A bus is ₫15,528,737 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Basel to Cologne costing on average ₫16,655,478.
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 54m.
Bus takes on average 8h 47m.
Tickets start at around ₫3,030,844 compared to roughly ₫3,868,314 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about ₫837,470. The journey takes 5h 24m versus 4h 36m 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 optionsfrom Basel to Cologne
How to get from Basel to Cologne by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Basel to Cologne is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- FlixBus
10:40 PM 8h05 Basel, Bahnhof 6:45 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) ₫1,097,554 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus
10:40 PM 8h05 Basel, Bahnhof 6:45 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) ₫1,097,554 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
ICE 376 · ICE 6146:16 AM 3h49 Basel SBB 10:05 AM Cologne Hbf ₫2,889,532 1 One-way 1 transfer
Other options
- IC 60402
9:19 PM 8h25 Basel SBB 5:44 AM Cologne Hbf ₫1,560,214 1 One-way 0 transfers - ICE 376 · IC 2049
6:16 AM 4h50 Basel SBB 11:06 AM Cologne Hbf ₫1,964,789 1 One-way 1 transfer - ICE 102 · IC 2347
5:16 PM 5h50 Basel SBB 11:06 PM Cologne Hbf ₫2,766,425 1 One-way 1 transfer
- FlixBus
1:05 AM 7h20 Basel, Bahnhof 8:25 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) ₫1,184,249 1 One-way 0 transfers - FlixBus
8:05 AM 8h15 Basel, Bahnhof 4:20 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) ₫1,473,231 1 One-way 0 transfers - FlixBus · FlixBus
5:40 PM 9h15 Basel, Bahnhof 2:55 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) ₫1,704,127 1 One-way 1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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.
More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.
FAQs: Travel from Basel 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 Basel to Cologne.
This is compared to other travel options from Basel to Cologne:
A bus is ₫1,904,103 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Basel to Cologne costing on average ₫3,030,844.
A bus is ₫15,528,737 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Basel to Cologne costing on average ₫16,655,478.
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 54m.
Bus takes on average 8h 47m.
- Around 15 trains per day.
- Around 6 buses per day.
- Around 2 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Basel and Cologne as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Zurich Airport and arrive in Dusseldorf Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Basel SBB and arrive in Cologne Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Basel, Bahnhof and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus to go to Cologne by bus.
- Travel with Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | InterCity, ÖBB | ICE, SNCF | TGV Lyria, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), FlixTrain, ÖBB | Nightjet to go to Cologne by train.
- Travel with British Airways, Eurowings to go to Cologne by flight.
- 3 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
- 1 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | Nightjet.
- 0 direct flights per day with Eurowings.
Travelling from Basel to Cologne: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Travel to popular destinations by train, bus or flight
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
