4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cologne to Dortmund
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Dortmund among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of RM 38 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 48m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of RM 38, while a train costs an average of RM 126.
Distance: 45 miles (74 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
RM 126 Average price | RM 38 Average price Cheapest | RM 63 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 48m Average total duration Fastest 1h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 8m Average total duration 2h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 17m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.2kg 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.
Compare ways to travel from Cologne to Dortmund
Compare the available ways to get from Cologne to Dortmund, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Dortmund:
A bus is RM 89 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Dortmund costing on average RM 126.
Other travel options to Dortmund take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 8m.
Tickets start at around RM 126 compared to roughly RM 63 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about -RM 63. The journey takes 1h 18m versus 1h 17m 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 Dortmund
How to get from Cologne to Dortmund by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cologne to Dortmund is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- FlixBus
8:50 AM 2h00 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) 10:50 AM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf RM 50 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus
8:50 AM 2h00 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) 10:50 AM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf RM 50 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
- ICE 106
5:15 PM 1h06 Cologne Messe/Deutz 6:21 PM Dortmund Hbf RM 123 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
FlixTrain4:14 PM 1h15 Cologne Hbf 5:29 PM Dortmund Hbf RM 55 1 One-way 0 transfers- FlixTrain
8:14 AM 1h13 Cologne Hbf 9:27 AM Dortmund Hbf RM 57 1 One-way 0 transfers - FlixTrain
12:14 PM 1h15 Cologne Hbf 1:29 PM Dortmund Hbf RM 57 1 One-way 0 transfers
- FlixBus
5:10 AM 3h10 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) 8:20 AM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf RM 50 1 One-way 0 transfers - FlixBus
10:10 PM 2h55 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) 1:05 AM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf RM 53 1 One-way 0 transfers - FlixBus
9:20 AM 1h45 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) 11:05 AM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf RM 55 1 One-way 0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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How to get from Cologne to Dortmund
The Best Way According to our Users
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FAQs: Travel from Cologne to Dortmund
Travel to Dortmund 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 Dortmund.
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Dortmund:
A bus is RM 89 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Dortmund costing on average RM 126.
Other travel options to Dortmund take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 8m.
- Around 12 trains per day.
- Around 8 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cologne and Dortmund as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Cologne Hbf and arrive in Dortmund Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) and arrive in Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf.
- Travel with FlixBus to go to Dortmund by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain to go to Dortmund by train.
- 8 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
- 10 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain.
Travelling from Cologne to Dortmund: related information
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