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Compare train and bus for Frankfurt am Main to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $12. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 7m. 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 $12, and a train costs an average of $12.
Distance: 95 miles (153 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$39 Average price | $26 Average price Cheapest | $34 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 45m Average total duration 2h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 37m Average total duration Fastest 2h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 10m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.4kg 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 Frankfurt am Main to Cologne:
A bus is $13 (€10) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne costing on average $39 (€31).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 15m.
Travel optionsfrom Frankfurt am Main to Cologne
How to get from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
(Prague -> Amsterdam)5:55 AM2h10Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36)8:05 AMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$121One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
(Prague -> Amsterdam)5:55 AM2h10Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36)8:05 AMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$121One-way0 transfers
Fastest
ICE 10129:41 AM0h48Frankfurt Airport long-distance station10:29 AMCologne Messe/Deutz$741One-way0 transfers
Other options
ICE 6167:10 AM0h55Frankfurt Airport long-distance station8:05 AMCologne Hbf$211One-way0 transfers
ICE 2225:47 AM0h56Frankfurt Airport long-distance station6:43 AMCologne Hbf$211One-way0 transfers
ICE 3167:34 AM0h56Frankfurt Airport long-distance station8:30 AMCologne Hbf$211One-way0 transfers
(Prague -> Amsterdam)5:25 AM2h40Frankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof)8:05 AMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$141One-way0 transfers
FlixBus4:30 PM2h10Frankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof)6:40 PMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)$151One-way0 transfers
FlixBus10:00 AM2h10Frankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof)12:10 PMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)$151One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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Travel from Frankfurt to Cologne: Journey Details
There are no practical or economical methods of flying between the cities of Frankfurt am Main and Cologne; however, the journey can be made by either bus and train. Making the journey by train is slightly quicker than by bus for travelers in Germany, but both have direct routes leaving and arriving in the city centers of Frankfurt and Cologne.
Return trips from Cologne to Frankfurt are also available.
How to get from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne
The Best Way According to our Users
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FAQs: Travel from Frankfurt am Main 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 Frankfurt am Main to Cologne.

This is compared to other travel options from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne:
A bus is $13 (€10) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne costing on average $39 (€31).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 15m.
- Around 38 trains per day.
- Around 29 buses per day.
- Around 1 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Frankfurt am Main and Cologne as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Frankfurt am Main Airport and arrive in Cologne Bonn Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Frankfurt Airport long-distance station and arrive in Cologne Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Frankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof) and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, Hessische Landesbahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) to go to Cologne by train.
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus to go to Cologne by bus.
- 32 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS).
- 29 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus.
Travelling from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne: related information
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