How to travel from Cologne to Munich

Fri, Aug 21
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Travel Information

Compare bus, train, and flight for Cologne to Munich

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Munich among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €25. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 33m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €25, and a flight costs an average of €89.

Distance: 283 miles (456 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Flight
Driving

€74

Average price

€41

Average price

Cheapest

€165

Average price

€85

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

5h 23m

Average total duration

4h 53m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

7h 29m

Average total duration

6h 59m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 33m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 33m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

6h 13m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.4kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.5 - 1.1kg

CO2 emissions

1.4 - 2.7kg

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 Munich is a bus with an average price of €41.

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

A bus is €34 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Munich costing on average €74.

A bus is €125 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Munich costing on average €165.

The fastest way to travel from Cologne to Munich is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 33m.

Other travel options to Munich take longer:

Train takes on average 4h 53m.

Bus takes on average 6h 59m.

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

Travel options
from Cologne to Munich

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

Our recommendation

bus

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

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    11:20 AM7h40
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    7:00 PMMunich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)
    481One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    11:20 AM7h40
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    7:00 PMMunich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)
    481One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • LufthansaLH1985
    8:10 PM1h05
    Cologne Bonn Airport
    9:15 PMMunich Airport
    1471One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • Deutsche BahnICE 911
    5:25 AM4h15
    Cologne Hbf
    9:40 AMMunich Hbf
    801One-way
    0 transfers
  • Deutsche BahnICE 511
    5:48 AM4h44
    Cologne Hbf
    10:32 AMMunich Hbf
    801One-way
    0 transfers
  • Deutsche BahnICE 23 · ICE 711 · ICE 591
    5:53 AM5h22
    Cologne Hbf
    11:15 AMMunich Hbf
    801One-way
    2 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    10:40 AM7h55
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    6:35 PMMunich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)
    481One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    3:35 PM8h20
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    11:55 PMMunich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)
    481One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    1:35 PM8h25
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    10:00 PMMunich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)
    481One-way
    0 transfers
  • EurowingsEW84
    5:40 PM1h05
    Cologne Bonn Airport
    6:45 PMMunich Airport
    1761One-way
    0 transfers
  • Lufthansa City AirlinesLH4105
    8:30 AM1h05
    Cologne Bonn Airport
    9:35 AMMunich Airport
    2931One-way
    0 transfers
  • LufthansaLH1983
    6:25 PM1h05
    Cologne Bonn Airport
    7:30 PMMunich Airport
    2931One-way
    0 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

Compare bus, train, and flight 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 get from Cologne to Munich

The Best Way According to our Users

Whether it is for business or leisure, in order to travel from Cologne to Munich, 84,83% of our customers choose the train as their preferred mode of transportation. By traveling by train on this route, you can enjoy the comfort of spacious seats, spectacular views—and in some cases free Wi-Fi—in both second and first class. Our customers have decided that the train is the best way to get from Cologne to Munich and have chosen to enjoy this fast, safe and efficient way to arrive at their destination. Taking the train also avoids long lines or potential expenses for transfers to/from the station—especially since most main railway stations are located in the city center. Train companies in Europe vary from country to country, but most of them offer high-speed train routes, therefore when you add up at the end-to-end journey time, the train is often also the fastest way to get to your destination.

Search on Omio to find cheap tickets from Cologne to Munich. It’s easy to find the most attractive prices and choose your preferred route for your journey. Book on web or app, and travel with your mobile ticket —without the stress of printing your ticket.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

FAQs: Travel from Cologne to Munich

Travel to Munich 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 Munich.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Cologne and Munich including taking a bus, train, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Cologne to Munich is a bus with an average price of €41.

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

A bus is €34 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Munich costing on average €74.

A bus is €125 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Munich costing on average €165.

The fastest way to travel from Cologne to Munich is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 33m.

Other travel options to Munich take longer:

Train takes on average 4h 53m.

Bus takes on average 6h 59m.

The distance from Cologne to Munich is approximately 283 miles (456 km).
The average frequency per day from Cologne to Munich is:
  • Around 23 trains per day.
  • Around 13 buses per day.
  • Around 6 flights per day.

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

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Cologne to Munich:
  • Flights mostly depart from Cologne Bonn Airport and arrive in Munich Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from Cologne Hbf and arrive in Munich Hbf.
  • Buses mostly depart from Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) and arrive in Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB).
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Cologne to Munich, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, Wupsi to go to Munich by bus.
  • Travel with Eurowings, Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cityline, Lufthansa City Airlines, Smartwings, Cityjet, Air Dolomiti, Air Baltic to go to Munich by flight.
  • Travel with Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) to go to Munich by train.
Yes, there are direct services available from Cologne to Munich with the following travel companies:
  • 9 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
  • 6 direct flights per day with Eurowings, Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cityline, Lufthansa City Airlines, Smartwings, Air Dolomiti, Air Baltic.
  • 15 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS).
Omio customers who travel from Cologne to Munich often also extend their vacation to go to Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Zurich. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Munich and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Munich to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Munich, you can visit the Hofbräuhaus for traditional Bavarian food and live music, explore BMW Welt for the latest BMW models and interactive experiences, and catch a game or admire the architecture at Allianz Arena. Discover history at the Munich Residenz, enjoy sports and views at Olympiapark, and marvel at the Glockenspiel show at Marienplatz. Wander through the opulent Nymphenburg Palace and its gardens, relax in the expansive English Garden, learn at the Deutsches Museum, and savor local delicacies at Viktualienmarkt.
To fully experience Munich's main attractions, such as Marienplatz, the English Garden, Nymphenburg Palace, and the BMW Museum, a stay of 3 to 4 days is recommended.
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