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Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cologne to Frankfurt am Main
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $11. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 8m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $11, and a train costs an average of $12.
Distance: 95 miles (153 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
$34 Average price | $15 Average price Cheapest |
2h 47m Average total duration 2h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 38m Average total duration Fastest 2h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Travel optionsfrom Cologne to Frankfurt am Main
How to get from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBusCheapest
(Amsterdam -> Prague)Fastest
ICE 1013Other options
ICE 1225ICE 1229ICE 921FlixBusFlixBusFlixBusFind 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 and bus 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.
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How to Travel from Cologne to Frankfurt?
Trains and buses are the most popular means of transportation between Cologne and Frankfurt. A number of service providers operate daily connections between the two cities, and it takes an average of 1 hour 30 minutes to cover the journey by train, or 3 hours by a direct bus.
What is the Cheapest Way To Get from Cologne to Frankfurt?
The cheapest way to travel from Cologne to Frankfurt is by bus. Several operators such as Karat-S, FlixBus and Blablacar offer coach services along this route, with most running direct connections between the two destinations. Out of the 20 connections made daily, 16 are provided by FlixBus, 3 by Blablacar and 1 by Karat-S. It takes about three hours to cover the journey. The three main departure points for buses leaving Cologne for Frankfurt are Cologne Central Bus Station, Cologne Bonn Airport and Breslauer Platz. Most bus connections arriving in Frankfurt arrive into the Frankfurt Central Station.
What is the Fastest Way to Travel from Cologne to Frankfurt?
A train ride provides the quickest option to travel from Cologne to Frankfurt, with the journey lasting an average of 1 hour 30 minutes, although some trips take less time, about one hour. Deutsche Bahn (DB) is the main train operator along this route. Cologne Central Station is the main departure point for trains leaving Cologne, and Frankfurt Central Station is the main arrival station. On average, 33 trains leave Cologne for Frankfurt every day, with a departure scheduled once every 35 minutes.
Find and Book with Omio the Best Tickets from Cologne to Frankfurt
Whether you want to travel from Cologne to Frankfurt via train or bus, the Omio website and app help you to compare and choose the best routes, departure times, and ticket prices for your travel preferences.
Travel from Cologne to Frankfurt by Train
It will take you approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to travel from Cologne to Frankfurt by train. Deutsche Bahn offers all the services on this route, most of which are direct trips. On average, there are 33 trains that travel the Cologne to Frankfurt route daily, with at least one transfer connection per day, mostly via Mainz or Frankfurt Airport. The main departure point for trains leaving Cologne for Frankfurt is Cologne Central Station, while Frankfurt Central Station is the arrival Station. From there, you can easily access the city center via taxi.
Travel from Cologne to Frankfurt by Bus
Coach providers like FlixBus, Blablacar and Karat-S offer reliable transport services between Cologne and Frankfurt, a journey that lasts three hours. There is an average of 20 direct connections per day between the two cities. FlixBus is the most popular service provider, making at least 16 trips daily. Blablacar makes three trips per day, while Karat-S offers at least one trip per day. The main departure point in Cologne is the Cologne Central Bus Station, with Frankfurt Central Station as the arrival point. Passengers can access the city center via taxi or a 20 minute walk on foot.
How to get from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main
The Best Way According to our Users
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FAQs: Travel from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main
Travel to Frankfurt am Main 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 Frankfurt am Main.
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main:
A bus is $2 (€2) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main costing on average $12 (€10).
Other travel options to Frankfurt am Main take longer:
Train takes on average 54m.
- Around 30 trains per day.
- Around 28 buses per day.
- Around 1 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cologne and Frankfurt am Main as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Cologne Bonn Airport and arrive in Frankfurt am Main Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Cologne Hbf and arrive in Frankfurt Airport long-distance station.
- Buses mostly depart from Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) and arrive in Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36).
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus to go to Frankfurt am Main by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, Hessische Landesbahn, Intercity, ÖBB Nightjet to go to Frankfurt am Main by train.
- 28 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
- 25 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, Intercity, ÖBB Nightjet.
Travelling from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main: related information
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