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 prices starting from $19. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 40m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $19, and a train costs an average of $32.
Distance: 132 miles (214 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$80 Average price | $33 Average price Cheapest | $59 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 10m Average total duration Fastest 3h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 15m Average total duration 5h 45m Onboard + 30m 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 |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Amsterdam:
A bus is $47 (€39) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Amsterdam costing on average $80 (€66).
A bus is $512 (€421) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Amsterdam costing on average $545 (€449).
Other travel options to Amsterdam take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 45m.
Flight takes on average 12h 1m.
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.
(Prague -> Amsterdam)8:05 AM5h25Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)1:30 PMAmsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk)$181One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
(Prague -> Amsterdam)8:05 AM5h25Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)1:30 PMAmsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk)$181One-way0 transfers
Fastest
ICE 2246:49 PM2h40Cologne Hbf9:29 PMAmsterdam Centraal$851One-way0 transfers
Other options
IC 5107+
20016+
IC 32409:49 AM3h35Cologne Hbf1:24 PMAmsterdam Zuid$321One-way2 transfers
10608 · 20070 · IC 35409:25 AM3h39Cologne Hbf1:04 PMAmsterdam Zuid$721One-way2 transfers
10612 · 20074 · IC 354811:25 AM3h39Cologne Hbf3:04 PMAmsterdam Zuid$721One-way2 transfers
2:30 PM8h45Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)11:15 PMAmsterdam, De Ruijterkade$181One-way0 transfers
FlixTrain+
FlixBus12:14 PM4h51Cologne Hbf5:05 PMAmsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk)$241One-way1 transfer
FlixBus6:30 AM4h00Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)10:30 AMAmsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk)$241One-way0 transfers
OS8918+
OS3196:00 PM4h15Cologne Bonn Airport10:15 PMAmsterdam Airport Schiphol$7071One-way1 transfer
LH1983 · LH23106:05 PM3h50Cologne Bonn Airport9:55 PMAmsterdam Airport Schiphol$7671One-way1 transfer
LX4429+
LX7366:30 PM3h45Cologne Bonn Airport10:15 PMAmsterdam Airport Schiphol$8071One-way1 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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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
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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
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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 $47 (€39) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Amsterdam costing on average $80 (€66).
A bus is $512 (€421) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Amsterdam costing on average $545 (€449).
Other travel options to Amsterdam take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 45m.
Flight takes on average 12h 1m.
- Around 15 buses per day.
- Around 8 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.
- Flights mostly depart from Cologne Bonn Airport and arrive in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
- 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).
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, VIAS Rail GmbH, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB | InterCity, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Eurostar, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) to go to Amsterdam by train.
- Travel with FlixBus, Union Ivkoni International, BlaBlaCar Bus to go to Amsterdam by bus.
- 2 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB | InterCity, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS).
- 12 direct buses per day with FlixBus, Union Ivkoni International.
Travelling from Cologne to Amsterdam: related information
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