How to travel from Cologne to Leipzig

Tue, May 26
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Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for Cologne to Leipzig

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Leipzig among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $24. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 5m. 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 $24, and a flight costs an average of $392.

Distance: 236 miles (381 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Flight
Driving

$92

Average price

$40

Average price

Cheapest

$763

Average price

$85

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

6h 30m

Average total duration

6h 0m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

7h 11m

Average total duration

6h 41m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

6h 5m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 5m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

5h 27m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.3kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.4 - 0.9kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Deutsche Bahn

Most popular train company

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Eurowings

Most popular airline

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Cologne to Leipzig is a bus with an average price of $40 (€32).

This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Leipzig:

A bus is $52 (€42) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Leipzig costing on average $92 (€74).

A bus is $723 (€583) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Leipzig costing on average $763 (€616).

The fastest way to travel from Cologne to Leipzig is by flight with an average journey time of 3h 5m.

Other travel options to Leipzig take longer:

Train takes on average 6h 0m.

Bus takes on average 6h 41m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Cologne and Leipzig including taking a train, bus, and flight.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Cologne to Leipzig among Omio's users.

Travel options
from Cologne to Leipzig

How to get from Cologne to Leipzig by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

train

The best way to travel from Cologne to Leipzig is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • Deutsche BahnICE 1883 · ICE 590
    8:34 PM4h35
    Cologne Messe/Deutz
    1:09 AMLeipzig Hbf
    $451One-way
    1 transfer

Cheapest

  • Deutsche BahnICE 1883 · ICE 590
    8:34 PM4h35
    Cologne Messe/Deutz
    1:09 AMLeipzig Hbf
    $451One-way
    1 transfer

Fastest

  • Deutsche BahnICE 527 · ICE 932 · ICE 600
    7:45 AM4h19
    Cologne Messe/Deutz
    12:04 PMLeipzig Hbf
    $1491One-way
    2 transfers

Other options

  • Deutsche BahnICE 317 · ICE 889
    7:25 PM5h06
    Cologne Hbf
    12:31 AMLeipzig Hbf
    $451One-way
    1 transfer
  • Deutsche BahnICE 1640 · ICE 590
    6:53 PM6h16
    Cologne Hbf
    1:09 AMLeipzig Hbf
    $451One-way
    1 transfer
  • Deutsche BahnIC 2242 · ICE 1272 · IC 60409
    8:53 PM7h56
    Cologne Hbf
    4:49 AMLeipzig Hbf
    $451One-way
    2 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    10:10 PM8h10
    Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)
    6:20 AMLeipzig, Hbf
    $461One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    9:20 AM8h00
    Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)
    5:20 PMLeipzig, Hbf
    $511One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    6:35 PM10h50
    Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)
    5:25 AMLeipzig, Hbf
    $591One-way
    1 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 Leipzig

Travel to Leipzig 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 Leipzig.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Cologne and Leipzig including taking a train, bus, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Cologne to Leipzig is a bus with an average price of $40 (€32).

This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Leipzig:

A bus is $52 (€42) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Leipzig costing on average $92 (€74).

A bus is $723 (€583) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Leipzig costing on average $763 (€616).

The fastest way to travel from Cologne to Leipzig is by flight with an average journey time of 3h 5m.

Other travel options to Leipzig take longer:

Train takes on average 6h 0m.

Bus takes on average 6h 41m.

The distance from Cologne to Leipzig is approximately 236 miles (381 km).
The average frequency per day from Cologne to Leipzig is:
  • Around 12 trains per day.
  • Around 6 buses per day.
  • Around 2 flights per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cologne and Leipzig as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Cologne to Leipzig:
  • Flights mostly depart from Cologne Bonn Airport and arrive in Leipzig/Halle Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from Cologne Hbf and arrive in Leipzig Hbf.
  • Buses mostly depart from Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) and arrive in Leipzig, Hbf.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Cologne to Leipzig, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Eurowings to go to Leipzig by flight.
  • Travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) to go to Leipzig by train.
  • Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar to go to Leipzig by bus.
Yes, there are direct services available from Cologne to Leipzig with the following travel companies:
  • 1 direct trains per day with FlixTrain, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC).
  • 3 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
Omio customers who travel from Cologne to Leipzig often also extend their vacation to go to Berlin, Mühlhausen (Thür), Prague, Paris, Frankfurt am Main. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Leipzig and these popular destinations at a great price.
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