4.9
4.6Travel 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, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)8:40 AMKloten, Zürich Flughafen (Bahnhof)$841One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus11:05 PM9h35Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)8:40 AMKloten, Zürich Flughafen (Bahnhof)$841One-way0 transfers
Fastest
EW7644:15 PM1h10Cologne Bonn Airport5:25 PMZurich Airport$2531One-way0 transfers
Other options
ICE 2013 · ICE 371+
IC 77910:53 AM6h07Cologne Hbf5:00 PMZurich HB$2291One-way2 transfers- IC 2544+ICE 37312:53 PM6h07Cologne Hbf7:00 PMZurich HB$2291One-way1 transfer
- IC 2040 · IC 775+ICE 2798:53 AM6h07Cologne Hbf3:00 PMZurich HB$2291One-way2 transfers
52120 · 47403:35 PM13h50Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)5:25 AMZürich, Sihlquai Bus Terminal (Carparkplatz Sihlquai)$1471One-way1 transfer- 50429 · 799111:55 AM20h50Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)8:45 AMKloten, Zürich Flughafen (Bahnhof)$1721One-way1 transfer
LH1983+
LH57506:05 PM3h45Cologne Bonn Airport9:50 PMZurich Airport$5101One-way1 transfer- LH1973+LH57648:30 AM3h45Cologne Bonn Airport12:15 PMZurich Airport$5471One-way1 transfer
LH1977+LH57661:05 PM3h05Cologne Bonn Airport4:10 PMZurich Airport$6801One-way1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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 prices starting from $29. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 20m. 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 $29, and a flight costs an average of $80.
Distance: 256 miles (413 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$177 Average price | $267 Average price | $57 Average price Cheapest | $173 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 33m Average total duration 7h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 20m Average total duration Fastest 1h 20m Onboard + 3h 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 $120 (€98) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Zurich costing on average $177 (€144).
A bus is $210 (€171) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Zurich costing on average $267 (€218).
Other travel options to Zurich take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 3m.
Bus takes on average 8h 23m.
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.
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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 $120 (€98) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Zurich costing on average $177 (€144).
A bus is $210 (€171) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Zurich costing on average $267 (€218).
Other travel options to Zurich take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 3m.
Bus takes on average 8h 23m.
- Around 13 trains per day.
- Around 7 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 Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | Nightjet, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), ÖBB | InterCity, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) to go to Zurich by train.
- Travel with Eurowings, Smartwings, Tuifly, Lufthansa, Helvetic Airways to go to Zurich by flight.
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus to go to Zurich by bus.
- 0 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | Nightjet, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS).
- 3 direct flights per day with Eurowings, Smartwings.
- 1 direct buses per day with BlaBlaCar.
Travelling from Cologne to Zurich: related information
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