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4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Hamburg to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Hamburg to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $38 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 7m. 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 $38, while a flight costs an average of $644.
Distance: 223 miles (360 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$45 Average price | $38 Average price Cheapest | $644 Average price | $78 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 57m Average total duration 5h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 50m Average total duration 5h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 7m Average total duration Fastest 2h 7m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 59m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 1.1 - 2.2kg 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 Hamburg to Cologne:
A bus is $7 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Hamburg to Cologne costing on average $45.
A bus is $606 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Hamburg to Cologne costing on average $644.
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 50m.
Train takes on average 5h 57m.
Tickets start at around $45 compared to roughly $78 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $33. The journey takes 5h 27m versus 4h 59m 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 Hamburg to Cologne
How to get from Hamburg to Cologne by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Hamburg to Cologne is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixTrain3:01 PM4h42Hamburg Harburg7:43 PMCologne Hbf$211One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixTrain3:01 PM4h42Hamburg Harburg7:43 PMCologne Hbf$211One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- LH5375 · LH53496:25 AM3h45Hamburg Airport10:10 AMCologne Bonn Airport$8301One-way1 transfer
Other options
- FlixTrain2:50 PM4h53Hamburg Hbf7:43 PMCologne Hbf$211One-way0 transfers
- FlixTrain+FlixBus3:01 PM6h04Hamburg Harburg9:05 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$281One-way1 transfer
- FlixTrain+FlixBus2:50 PM6h15Hamburg Hbf9:05 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$281One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus6:45 PM6h50Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof1:35 AMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$331One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus6:00 AM7h20Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof1:20 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$331One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus12:10 AM7h30Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof7:40 AMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$461One-way0 transfers
LH2075+LH53496:10 AM4h00Hamburg Airport10:10 AMCologne Bonn Airport$8301One-way1 transfer
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, 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 Hamburg to Cologne
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 Hamburg 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 Hamburg to Cologne.
This is compared to other travel options from Hamburg to Cologne:
A bus is $7 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Hamburg to Cologne costing on average $45.
A bus is $606 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Hamburg to Cologne costing on average $644.
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 50m.
Train takes on average 5h 57m.
- Around 18 trains per day.
- Around 5 buses per day.
- Around 3 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Hamburg and Cologne as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Hamburg Airport and arrive in Cologne Bonn Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Hamburg Hbf and arrive in Cologne Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar to go to Cologne by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, metronom, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) to go to Cologne by train.
- Travel with Eurowings, Lufthansa, Avion Express Malta to go to Cologne by flight.
- 4 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
- 13 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC).
- 0 direct flights per day with Eurowings.
Travelling from Hamburg to Cologne: related information
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