4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Cologne to Amsterdam
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Amsterdam among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $27 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 50m. 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 $27, while a flight costs an average of $530.
Distance: 132 miles (214 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$68 Average price | $27 Average price Cheapest | $530 Average price | $59 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 50m Average total duration Fastest 3h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 37m Average total duration 5h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 13m Average total duration 3h 13m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 19m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg 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 Cologne to Amsterdam
Compare the available ways to get from Cologne to Amsterdam, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Amsterdam:
A bus is $41 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Amsterdam costing on average $68.
A bus is $503 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Amsterdam costing on average $530.
Other travel options to Amsterdam take longer:
Flight takes on average 5h 13m.
Bus takes on average 5h 37m.
Tickets start at around $68 compared to roughly $59 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about -$9. The journey takes 3h 20m versus 3h 19m 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 Cologne to Amsterdam
How to get from Cologne to Amsterdam by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- FlixBus
3:40 PM 4h35 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) 8:15 PM Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) $23 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus
3:40 PM 4h35 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) 8:15 PM Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) $23 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
- ICE 1254
6:50 PM 3h04 Cologne Hbf 9:54 PM Amsterdam Centraal $59 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
- IC 60402
5:46 AM 3h58 Cologne-Ehrenfeld 9:44 AM Amsterdam Centraal $33 1 One-way 0 transfers - ICE 1252
8:50 PM 3h04 Cologne Hbf 11:54 PM Amsterdam Centraal $59 1 One-way 0 transfers - ICE 154
2:50 PM 3h08 Cologne Hbf 5:58 PM Amsterdam Centraal $59 1 One-way 0 transfers
- FlixBus
6:25 PM 4h20 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) 10:45 PM Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) $25 1 One-way 0 transfers - FlixBus
4:55 PM 4h35 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) 9:30 PM Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) $25 1 One-way 0 transfers - FlixBus
3:15 PM 4h55 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) 8:10 PM Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk) $25 1 One-way 0 transfers
OS311+
OS89148:05 AM 25h05 Cologne Bonn Airport 9:10 AM Amsterdam Airport Schiphol $513 1 One-way 1 transfer- OS315+OS8914
8:05 AM 8h40 Cologne Bonn Airport 4:45 PM Amsterdam Airport Schiphol $664 1 One-way 1 transfer - OS319+OS8914
8:05 AM 14h10 Cologne Bonn Airport 10:15 PM Amsterdam Airport Schiphol $664 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, 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.
How to Travel from Cologne to Amsterdam
The distance between Cologne and Amsterdam is 263 kilometers. Numerous transport options will ensure a safe and quick trip between the two cities. Public transportation options include train, city bus, and air travel. Bus travel is an affordable and fast option. High-speed trains will arrive at your destination in under 3 hours, and are also affordable.
Trains from Cologne to Amsterdam | Buses from Cologne to Amsterdam | Flights from Cologne to Amsterdam
Cologne to Amsterdam Travel Comparison
Average Price |
Travel Time |
Cheapest Time to Book |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
€23 |
3:55 h |
1 Day Ahead |
|
€29 |
2:50 h |
2 Months Ahead |
|
€262 |
0:50 h |
2 Months Ahead |
What is the best way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam?
Cheapest way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam
Taking the bus is the cheapest way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam. Buses traveling from Cologne to Amsterdam depart from either Köln ZOB (central bus station) or Köln Flughafen (airport) and take at least 4 hours to arrive at Amsterdam's Sloterdijk bus station. Over 10 buses travel from Berlin to Amsterdam per day, with the first bus departing Cologne at 2:50 a.m. Bus companies that travel from Cologne to Amsterdam include Flixbus, RegioJet, and Eurolines.
Fastest way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam
Taking a flight is technically the fastest way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam; however, when travel time to and from Cologne and Amsterdam's airporst is taken into consideration, taking a high-speed train is actually the fastest way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam. Flights depart from either Cologne/Bonn airport or Düsseldorf airport and arrive at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport after approximately 50 minutes of flight time. Usually 5 direct flights travel from Cologne to Amsterdam per day, with the first flight departing Cologne at 11:30 a.m. KLM is the main airline that offers direct flights from Cologne to Amsterdam.
Most popular way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam
Taking a train is the most popular way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam. Taking a train is at least an hour faster than traveling from Cologne to Amsterdam by bus and approximately 1½ hours faster than taking a flight when travel time to and from Cologne and Amsterdam's airports is taken into consideration. Rrains traveling from Cologne to Amsterdam depart from Köln Haupbahnhof and take at least 2:50 h tro arrive at Amsterdam's Centraal train station. Approximately 8 direct Deutsche Bahn trains travel from Cologne to Amsterdam per day, with the first train departing Cologne at approximately 6:30 a.m.
How to get from Cologne to Amsterdam
The Best Way According to our Users
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FAQs: Travel from Cologne to Amsterdam
Travel to Amsterdam 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 Cologne to Amsterdam.
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Amsterdam:
A bus is $41 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Amsterdam costing on average $68.
A bus is $503 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Amsterdam costing on average $530.
Other travel options to Amsterdam take longer:
Flight takes on average 5h 13m.
Bus takes on average 5h 37m.
- Around 12 buses per day.
- Around 9 trains per day.
- Around 6 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cologne and Amsterdam as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Cologne Hbf and arrive in Amsterdam Centraal.
- Buses mostly depart from Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) and arrive in Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk).
- Flights mostly depart from Cologne Bonn Airport and arrive in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, Union Ivkoni International to go to Amsterdam by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, VIAS Rail GmbH, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB | InterCity to go to Amsterdam by train.
- Travel with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Air Baltic, Swiss, Lufthansa Cityline, Turkish Airlines, Helvetic Airways, Lufthansa City Airlines, Air Dolomiti, British Airways, Edelweiss Air to go to Amsterdam by flight.
- 11 direct buses per day with FlixBus, Union Ivkoni International.
- 3 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB | InterCity.
Travelling from Cologne to Amsterdam: related information
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