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Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cologne to Heidelberg
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Heidelberg among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $23 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 3h 30m. 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 $23, while a train costs an average of $40.
Distance: 130 miles (210 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$40 Average price | $23 Average price Cheapest | $47 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 35m Average total duration 3h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 30m Average total duration Fastest 3h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 44m 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 Heidelberg:
A bus is $17 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Heidelberg costing on average $40.
Other travel options to Heidelberg take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 35m.
Tickets start at around $40 compared to roughly $47 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $7. The journey takes 3h 5m versus 2h 44m 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 Heidelberg
How to get from Cologne to Heidelberg by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cologne to Heidelberg is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- FlixBus6:35 PM3h30Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)10:05 PMHeidelberg, Hauptbahnhof$171One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus6:35 PM3h30Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)10:05 PMHeidelberg, Hauptbahnhof$171One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- ICE 915 · S39:32 AM1h44Cologne Messe/Deutz11:16 AMHeidelberg Hbf$721One-way1 transfer
Other options
- IC 60403 · ICE 69911:53 PM3h45Cologne Hbf3:38 AMHeidelberg Hbf$251One-way1 transfer
- IC 24406:53 PM2h41Cologne Hbf9:34 PMHeidelberg Hbf$281One-way0 transfers
- ICE 1021 · S6 · S37:53 PM4h01Cologne Hbf11:54 PMHeidelberg Hbf$311One-way2 transfers
- FlixBus1:35 PM3h35Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)5:10 PMHeidelberg, Hauptbahnhof$211One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus2:40 PM4h05Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)6:45 PMHeidelberg, Hauptbahnhof$211One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus8:15 AM4h45Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)1:00 PMHeidelberg, Hauptbahnhof$221One-way0 transfers
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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FAQs: Travel from Cologne to Heidelberg
Travel to Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg.
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Heidelberg:
A bus is $17 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Heidelberg costing on average $40.
Other travel options to Heidelberg take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 35m.
- Around 10 trains per day.
- Around 9 buses per day.
- Around 2 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cologne and Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) and arrive in Heidelberg, Hauptbahnhof.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) to go to Heidelberg by train.
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar to go to Heidelberg by bus.
- 1 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC).
- 8 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
Travelling from Cologne to Heidelberg: related information
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