4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Dresden to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Dresden to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $44 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 19m. 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 $44, while a flight costs an average of $535.
Distance: 295 miles (475 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$112 Average price | $44 Average price Cheapest | $535 Average price | $103 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 43m Average total duration 6h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 50m Average total duration 9h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 19m Average total duration Fastest 2h 19m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 6h 15m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | 1.4 - 2.9kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |  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.
This is compared to other travel options from Dresden to Cologne:
A bus is $69 (€57) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Dresden to Cologne costing on average $112 (€94).
A bus is $492 (€411) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Dresden to Cologne costing on average $535 (€448).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 43m.
Bus takes on average 9h 50m.
You'll arrive about 2m sooner (6h 13m by train vs 6h 15m by car). Tickets start at around $112 (€94) compared to roughly $103 (€86) in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
Travel optionsfrom Dresden to Cologne
How to get from Dresden to Cologne by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Dresden to Cologne is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- 16536 · S5 · ICE 273 · IC 224110:12 PM10h54Dresden Hbf9:06 AMCologne Hbf$421One-way3 transfers
Cheapest
- 16536 · S5 · ICE 273 · IC 224110:12 PM10h54Dresden Hbf9:06 AMCologne Hbf$421One-way3 transfers
Fastest
- ICE 1558 · ICE 51612:11 PM5h54Dresden Hbf6:05 PMCologne Hbf$1391One-way1 transfer
Other options
- STR 7 · 16536 · S5 · ICE 27310:02 PM11h04Dresden9:06 AMCologne Hbf$461One-way4 transfers
- FlixBus+
FlixTrain3:30 AM10h25Dresden, Bf Neustadt1:55 PMCologne Hbf$501One-way1 transfer - FlixBus+FlixTrain3:15 AM10h40Dresden, Bayrische Straße (Hauptbahnhof)1:55 PMCologne Hbf$501One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus · FlixBus6:00 PM10h40Dresden, Bayrische Straße (Hauptbahnhof)4:40 AMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$471One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus11:45 AM9h35Dresden, Bayrische Straße (Hauptbahnhof)9:20 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$581One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus10:15 PM9h50Dresden, Bayrische Straße (Hauptbahnhof)8:05 AMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$581One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Dresden 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 Dresden to Cologne.
This is compared to other travel options from Dresden to Cologne:
A bus is $69 (€57) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Dresden to Cologne costing on average $112 (€94).
A bus is $492 (€411) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Dresden to Cologne costing on average $535 (€448).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 43m.
Bus takes on average 9h 50m.
- Around 8 trains per day.
- Around 3 buses per day.
- Around 2 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Dresden and Cologne as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Dresden Airport and arrive in Cologne Bonn Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Dresden Hbf and arrive in Cologne Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Dresden, Bayrische Straße (Hauptbahnhof) and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
- Travel with FlixBus to go to Cologne by bus.
- Travel with Lufthansa City Airlines, Lufthansa Cityline, Lufthansa, Air Baltic, Eurowings to go to Cologne by flight.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain to go to Cologne by train.
- 2 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
- 1 direct trains per day with FlixTrain.
Travelling from Dresden to Cologne: related information
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