4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Cologne to Zurich
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Zurich among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $52 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 23m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $52, while a flight costs an average of $203.
Distance: 256 miles (413 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$148 Average price | $203 Average price | $52 Average price Cheapest | $175 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 33m Average total duration 7h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 23m Average total duration Fastest 1h 23m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 8h 53m Average total duration 8h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 21m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.2 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular airline |  Most popular bus company | 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.
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Zurich:
A bus is $96 (€78) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Zurich costing on average $148 (€121).
A bus is $150 (€122) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Zurich costing on average $203 (€165).
Other travel options to Zurich take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 33m.
Bus takes on average 8h 53m.
Tickets start at around $148 (€121) compared to roughly $175 (€142) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $26 (€21). The journey takes 7h 3m versus 6h 21m 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 Zurich
How to get from Cologne to Zurich by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cologne to Zurich is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- FlixBus11:05 PM9h35Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)8:40 AMKloten, Zürich Flughafen (Bahnhof)$491One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus11:05 PM9h35Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)8:40 AMKloten, Zürich Flughafen (Bahnhof)$491One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- EW7626:20 AM1h05Cologne Bonn Airport7:25 AMZurich Airport$2851One-way0 transfers
Other options
- ICE 619 · IC 60403 · IC 55911:56 PM7h30Cologne Hbf7:26 AMZurich HB$691One-way2 transfers
- ICE 619 · IC 6040311:56 PM8h09Cologne Hbf8:05 AMZurich HB$691One-way1 transfer
- ICE 205 · ICE 77 · IR 20558:54 PM8h55Cologne Hbf5:49 AMZurich HB$691One-way2 transfers
EW7642:15 PM1h05Cologne Bonn Airport3:20 PMZurich Airport$2851One-way0 transfers- EW7666:40 PM1h05Cologne Bonn Airport7:45 PMZurich Airport$3731One-way0 transfers
- LX44256:20 AM1h05Cologne Bonn Airport7:25 AMZurich Airport$5711One-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
Compare train, bus, 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.
Sep 15
Sep 16
Sep 17
Sep 18
Sep 19
Sep 20
Sep 21
Sep 22
Sep 23
Sep 24
Sep 25
Sep 26
Sep 27
Sep 28
Sep 29
Sep 30
Oct 01
Oct 02
Oct 03
Oct 04
Oct 05
How to get from Cologne to Zürich
The Best Way According to our Users
More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.
FAQs: Travel from Cologne to Zurich
Travel to Zurich 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 Zurich.
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Zurich:
A bus is $96 (€78) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Zurich costing on average $148 (€121).
A bus is $150 (€122) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Zurich costing on average $203 (€165).
Other travel options to Zurich take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 33m.
Bus takes on average 8h 53m.
- Around 13 trains per day.
- Around 8 flights per day.
- Around 3 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cologne and Zurich as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Cologne Bonn Airport and arrive in Zurich Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Cologne Hbf and arrive in Zurich HB.
- Buses mostly depart from Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) and arrive in Zürich, Sihlquai Bus Terminal (Carparkplatz Sihlquai).
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus to go to Zurich by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | Nightjet, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), ÖBB | InterCity, SNCF | TGV Lyria, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) to go to Zurich by train.
- Travel with Eurowings, Smartwings, Lufthansa, Helvetic Airways to go to Zurich by flight.
- 1 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
- 0 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | Nightjet, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS).
- 4 direct flights per day with Eurowings, Smartwings.
Travelling from Cologne to Zurich: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Travel to popular destinations by train, bus or flight
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
