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Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Heidelberg to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Heidelberg to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $25 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 4m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $25, while a train costs an average of $74.
Distance: 130 miles (210 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$74 Average price | $25 Average price Cheapest | $46 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 4m Average total duration Fastest 2h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 28m Average total duration 3h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 48m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg 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.
Compare ways to travel from Heidelberg to Cologne
Compare the available ways to get from Heidelberg to Cologne, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Heidelberg to Cologne:
A bus is $49 (€41) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Heidelberg to Cologne costing on average $74 (€62).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 28m.
You'll arrive about 14m sooner (2h 34m by train vs 2h 48m by car). Tickets start at around $74 (€62) compared to roughly $46 (€39) 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 Heidelberg to Cologne
How to get from Heidelberg to Cologne by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Heidelberg to Cologne is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- FlixBus9:15 AM3h45Heidelberg, Hauptbahnhof1:00 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$211One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus9:15 AM3h45Heidelberg, Hauptbahnhof1:00 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$211One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- S3 · ICE 9108:44 PM1h46Heidelberg Hbf10:30 PMCologne Hbf$481One-way1 transfer
Other options
- IC 23478:25 PM2h41Heidelberg Hbf11:06 PMCologne Hbf$221One-way0 transfers
- ICE 116+
24530+ICE 246:46 PM3h20Heidelberg Hbf10:06 PMCologne Hbf$221One-way2 transfers - ICE 7103:20 PM2h48Heidelberg Hbf6:08 PMCologne Hbf$281One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus5:35 PM4h35Heidelberg, Hauptbahnhof10:10 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$291One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus1:15 PM3h30Heidelberg, Hauptbahnhof4:45 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$341One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus3:00 PM4h40Heidelberg, Hauptbahnhof7:40 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$361One-way0 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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FAQs: Travel from Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg to Cologne.
This is compared to other travel options from Heidelberg to Cologne:
A bus is $49 (€41) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Heidelberg to Cologne costing on average $74 (€62).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 28m.
- Around 8 trains per day.
- Around 6 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg Hbf and arrive in Cologne Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Heidelberg, Hauptbahnhof and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
- Travel with FlixBus to go to Cologne by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain to go to Cologne by train.
- 5 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
- 1 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn.
Travelling from Heidelberg to Cologne: related information
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