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 prices starting from $29. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 5h 11m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $29, and a train costs an average of $35.
Distance: 234 miles (378 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
$117 Average price | $47 Average price Cheapest |
5h 41m Average total duration Fastest 5h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 10m Average total duration 6h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
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.
FlixBusCheapest
FlixBusFastest
ICE 74 · ICE 1010Other options
ICE 374 · IC 1947
ICE 74 · ICE 1010 · ICE 926
ICE 200
FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
BA755 · BA998
BA765 · BA998Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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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 $6 (€5) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Basel to Cologne costing on average $35 (€28).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 20m.
- Around 11 trains per day.
- Around 8 buses 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 EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg and arrive in Cologne Bonn Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Basel SBB and arrive in Cologne Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Basel, Meret Oppenheim-Strasse (Bahnhof SBB) and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar to go to Cologne by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB | InterCity, ÖBB Nightjet, FlixTrain, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) to go to Cologne by train.
- 3 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
- 1 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC).
Travelling from Basel to Cologne: related information
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