How to travel from Dortmund to Cologne

Wed, Jun 10
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Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Dortmund to Cologne

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Dortmund to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $7. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 18m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $7, and a train costs an average of $8.

Distance: 45 miles (74 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

$17

Average price

$10

Average price

Cheapest

$17

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

1h 48m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 18m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 16m

Average total duration

1h 46m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 16m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Deutsche Bahn

Most popular train company

FlixBus

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.

The cheapest way to travel from Dortmund to Cologne is a bus with an average price of $10 (€8).

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

A bus is $7 (€6) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Dortmund to Cologne costing on average $17 (€14).

The fastest way to travel from Dortmund to Cologne is by train with an average journey time of 1h 18m.

Other travel options to Cologne take longer:

Bus takes on average 1h 46m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Dortmund and Cologne including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Dortmund to Cologne among Omio's users.

Travel options
from Dortmund to Cologne

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

Our recommendation

bus

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

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    6:25 PM1h55
    Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf
    8:20 PMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)
    $91One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    6:25 PM1h55
    Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf
    8:20 PMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)
    $91One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • Deutsche BahnICE 519
    12:36 PM1h12
    Dortmund Hbf
    1:48 PMCologne Hbf
    $201One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • FlixTrainFlixTrain
    8:27 PM1h13
    Dortmund Hbf
    9:40 PMCologne Hbf
    $111One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixTrainFlixTrain
    12:27 PM1h14
    Dortmund Hbf
    1:41 PMCologne Hbf
    $111One-way
    0 transfers
  • Deutsche BahnICE 921
    1:44 AM1h18
    Dortmund Hbf
    3:02 AMCologne Hbf
    $121One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    8:40 PM3h05
    Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf
    11:45 PMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)
    $91One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    7:35 PM1h45
    Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf
    9:20 PMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)
    $91One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    10:55 AM2h25
    Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf
    1:20 PMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)
    $91One-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 train and bus 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 Dortmund to Cologne

The Best Way According to our Users

Whether it is for business or leisure, in order to travel from Dortmund to Cologne, 79,25% 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 Dortmund to Cologne 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 Dortmund to Cologne. 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.

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SNCF

FAQs: Travel from Dortmund to Cologne

Travel to Cologne 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 Dortmund to Cologne.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Dortmund and Cologne including taking a train and bus.
The cheapest way to travel from Dortmund to Cologne is a bus with an average price of $10 (€8).

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

A bus is $7 (€6) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Dortmund to Cologne costing on average $17 (€14).

The fastest way to travel from Dortmund to Cologne is by train with an average journey time of 1h 18m.

Other travel options to Cologne take longer:

Bus takes on average 1h 46m.

The distance from Dortmund to Cologne is approximately 45 miles (74 km).
The average frequency per day from Dortmund to Cologne is:
  • Around 11 trains per day.
  • Around 9 buses per day.

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

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

Travelling from Dortmund to Cologne: related information

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeTravelTravel to GermanyTravel to CologneHow to travel from Dortmund to Cologne

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