4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Budapest to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Budapest to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $91 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 18m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.3 - 0.9kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $91, while a flight costs an average of $529.
Distance: 594 miles (956 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$176 Average price | $529 Average price | $91 Average price Cheapest | $243 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
12h 27m Average total duration 11h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 18m Average total duration Fastest 3h 18m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 17h 50m Average total duration 17h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 35m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.9 - 5.7kg CO2 emissions | 1.0 - 2.4kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular airline |  Most popular bus company | 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 Budapest to Cologne
Compare the available ways to get from Budapest to Cologne, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Budapest to Cologne:
A bus is $86 (€72) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Budapest to Cologne costing on average $176 (€148).
A bus is $439 (€370) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Budapest to Cologne costing on average $529 (€446).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 12h 27m.
Bus takes on average 17h 50m.
Tickets start at around $176 (€148) compared to roughly $243 (€205) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $67 (€57). The journey takes 11h 57m versus 11h 35m 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 Budapest to Cologne
How to get from Budapest to Cologne by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Budapest to Cologne is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- R 4636 · EC 148 · RJX 19972 · Bus RE5
4:40 PM 15h49 Budapest-Deli 8:29 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz $79 1 One-way 5 transfers
Cheapest
- R 4636 · EC 148 · RJX 19972 · Bus RE5
4:40 PM 15h49 Budapest-Deli 8:29 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz $79 1 One-way 5 transfers
Fastest
EW7899:25 PM 1h50 Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport 11:15 PM Cologne Bonn Airport $169 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
- EC 148 · RJX 19972 · Bus RE5 · S1
4:30 PM 15h59 Budapest Keleti 8:29 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz $79 1 One-way 4 transfers - R 4626 · RJX 68 · ICE 618
3:40 PM 14h24 Budapest-Deli 6:04 AM Cologne Hbf $107 1 One-way 2 transfers - RJX 68 · ICE 618
3:30 PM 14h34 Budapest Keleti 6:04 AM Cologne Hbf $107 1 One-way 1 transfer
(Budapest -> Prague) · (Prague -> Amsterdam)11:15 AM 20h50 Budapest, Kelenföld Vasútállomás 8:05 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) $126 1 One-way 1 transfer- (Budapest -> Prague) · (Prague -> Amsterdam)
10:50 AM 21h15 Budapest, Népliget Autóbusz-Pályaudvar 8:05 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) $126 1 One-way 1 transfer - FlixBus
11:20 PM 18h05 Budapest, Krisztina körút / Kosciuszkó Tádé utca 5:25 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) $133 1 One-way 0 transfers
OS634 · OS2492:55 PM 5h05 Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport 8:00 PM Cologne Bonn Airport $408 1 One-way 1 transfer- LH1677 · LH1984
1:30 PM 3h25 Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport 4:55 PM Cologne Bonn Airport $411 1 One-way 1 transfer - LH1683+
LH40507:50 AM 4h35 Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport 12:25 PM Cologne Bonn Airport $411 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
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FAQs: Travel from Budapest 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 Budapest to Cologne.
This is compared to other travel options from Budapest to Cologne:
A bus is $86 (€72) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Budapest to Cologne costing on average $176 (€148).
A bus is $439 (€370) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Budapest to Cologne costing on average $529 (€446).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 12h 27m.
Bus takes on average 17h 50m.
- Around 21 buses per day.
- Around 11 trains per day.
- Around 8 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Budapest and Cologne as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport and arrive in Cologne Bonn Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Budapest Keleti and arrive in Cologne Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Budapest, Kelenföld Vasútállomás and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB, EuroNight, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), ÖBB | InterCity, ÖBB | Nightjet to go to Cologne by train.
- Travel with Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Eurowings, Austrian Airlines, Ryanair, Swiss, Lufthansa City Airlines, Helvetic Airways, Air Baltic, Lufthansa Cityline, British Airways, Smartwings, Edelweiss Air to go to Cologne by flight.
- Travel with FlixBus, Infobus to go to Cologne by bus.
- 0 direct flights per day with Smartwings.
- 2 direct buses per day with FlixBus, Infobus.
Travelling from Budapest to Cologne: related information
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