Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Cologne to Basel
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Basel among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $31. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 5h 8m. 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 $31, and a train costs an average of $54.
Distance: 234 miles (378 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$156 Average price | $44 Average price Cheapest | $161 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 38m Average total duration Fastest 5h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 44m Average total duration 8h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 9m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 0.9kg 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 Basel:
A bus is $112 (€93) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Basel costing on average $156 (€129).
A bus is $715 (€591) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Basel costing on average $758 (€627).
Other travel options to Basel take longer:
Flight takes on average 5h 20m.
Bus takes on average 8h 14m.
Travel optionsfrom Cologne to Basel
How to get from Cologne to Basel by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cologne to Basel is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus4:50 AM7h35Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)12:25 PMBasel, Bahnhof$451One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
FlixBus4:50 AM7h35Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)12:25 PMBasel, Bahnhof$451One-way0 transfers
Fastest
ICE 1015 · ECE 97:30 PM3h40Cologne Messe/Deutz11:10 PMBasel SBB$1211One-way1 transfer
Other options
ICE 511 · ICE 2755:48 AM4h00Cologne Hbf9:48 AMBasel SBB$601One-way1 transfer
ICE 827 · ICE 2733:21 AM5h27Cologne Hbf8:48 AMBasel SBB$681One-way1 transfer
ICE 205 · ICE 778:54 PM4h31Cologne Hbf1:25 AMBasel SBB$731One-way1 transfer
FlixBus2:40 PM8h10Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)10:50 PMBasel, Bahnhof$451One-way0 transfers
FlixBus11:05 PM8h20Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)7:25 AMBasel, Bahnhof$451One-way0 transfers
FlixBus · FlixBus6:35 PM8h10Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)2:45 AMBasel, Bahnhof$531One-way1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Cologne to Basel
Travel to Basel 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 Basel.

This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Basel:
A bus is $112 (€93) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Basel costing on average $156 (€129).
A bus is $715 (€591) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Basel costing on average $758 (€627).
Other travel options to Basel take longer:
Flight takes on average 5h 20m.
Bus takes on average 8h 14m.
- Around 9 trains per day.
- Around 6 buses per day.
- Around 1 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cologne and Basel 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 EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg.
- Trains mostly depart from Cologne Hbf and arrive in Basel SBB.
- Buses mostly depart from Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) and arrive in Basel, Meret Oppenheim-Strasse (Bahnhof SBB).
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus to go to Basel by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB | Nightjet, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), ÖBB | InterCity, FlixTrain, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) to go to Basel by train.
- 3 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
- 3 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | Nightjet, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC).
Travelling from Cologne to Basel: related information
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