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Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Karlsruhe to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Karlsruhe to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €28 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 2m. 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 €28, while a train costs an average of €67.
Distance: 147 miles (238 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€67 Average price | €28 Average price Cheapest | €46 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 2m Average total duration Fastest 2h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 53m Average total duration 5h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 17m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
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 Karlsruhe to Cologne:
A bus is €14 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Karlsruhe to Cologne costing on average €36.
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 13m.
Tickets start at around €36 compared to roughly €46 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €10. The journey takes 3h 43m versus 3h 17m 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 Karlsruhe to Cologne
How to get from Karlsruhe to Cologne by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Karlsruhe to Cologne is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus8:25 AM4h35Karlsruhe Hbf1:00 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)€221One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus8:25 AM4h35Karlsruhe Hbf1:00 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)€221One-way0 transfers
Fastest
ICE 70 · ICE 9126:37 PM1h52Karlsruhe Hbf8:29 PMCologne Messe/Deutz€451One-way1 transfer
Other options
- ICE 2552 · IC 23478:01 PM3h05Karlsruhe Hbf11:06 PMCologne Hbf€301One-way1 transfer
- S6 · ICE 6182:13 AM3h51Karlsruhe Hbf6:04 AMCologne Hbf€331One-way1 transfer
- ICE 70 · ICE 912 · ICE 246:37 PM3h29Karlsruhe Hbf10:06 PMCologne Hbf€341One-way2 transfers
FlixTrain+FlixBus10:26 AM5h09Karlsruhe Hbf3:35 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)€221One-way1 transfer- FlixBus12:20 PM4h25Karlsruhe Hbf4:45 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)€221One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus10:55 AM4h40Karlsruhe Hbf3:35 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)€221One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Karlsruhe 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 Karlsruhe to Cologne.
This is compared to other travel options from Karlsruhe to Cologne:
A bus is €14 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Karlsruhe to Cologne costing on average €36.
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 13m.
- Around 11 buses per day.
- Around 9 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Karlsruhe and Cologne as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Karlsruhe Hbf and arrive in Cologne Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Karlsruhe Hbf and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
- Travel with BlaBlaCar Bus, FlixBus to go to Cologne by bus.
- Travel with TGV, Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain to go to Cologne by train.
- 10 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
- 2 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn.
Travelling from Karlsruhe to Cologne: related information
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