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Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Erfurt to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Erfurt to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $41 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 54m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $41, while a train costs an average of $111.
Distance: 177 miles (286 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$111 Average price | $41 Average price Cheapest | $65 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 54m Average total duration Fastest 4h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 54m Average total duration 5h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 11m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  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.
This is compared to other travel options from Erfurt to Cologne:
A bus is $73 (€61) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Erfurt to Cologne costing on average $111 (€93).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 52m.
Tickets start at around $111 (€93) compared to roughly $65 (€54) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about -$46 (-€38). The journey takes 4h 24m versus 4h 11m 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 Erfurt to Cologne
How to get from Erfurt to Cologne by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Erfurt to Cologne is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- FlixBus · FlixBus9:15 PM7h25Erfurt, Busbahnhof 24:40 AMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$331One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
- FlixBus · FlixBus9:15 PM7h25Erfurt, Busbahnhof 24:40 AMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$331One-way1 transfer
Fastest
- ICE 750 · ICE 7268:50 AM3h24Erfurt Hbf12:14 PMCologne Messe/Deutz$891One-way1 transfer
Other options
- ICE 750 · ICE 9268:50 AM5h16Erfurt Hbf2:06 PMCologne Hbf$721One-way1 transfer
- 18664 · ICE 684 · IC 2046 · ICE 1099:07 AM5h40Erfurt Hbf2:47 PMCologne Hbf$881One-way3 transfers
- ICE 1654 · ICE 6128:16 AM3h49Erfurt Hbf12:05 PMCologne Hbf$891One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus · FlixBus2:10 AM7h05Erfurt, Busbahnhof 29:15 AMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$341One-way1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Erfurt 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 Erfurt to Cologne.
This is compared to other travel options from Erfurt to Cologne:
A bus is $70 (€59) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Erfurt to Cologne costing on average $111 (€93).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 54m.
- Around 9 trains per day.
- Around 2 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Erfurt and Cologne as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Erfurt Hbf and arrive in Cologne Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Erfurt, Busbahnhof 2 and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Regional to go to Cologne by train.
- Travel with FlixBus to go to Cologne by bus.
Travelling from Erfurt to Cologne: related information
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