4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Leipzig to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Leipzig 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 5h 5m. 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 $614.
Distance: 236 miles (381 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$112 Average price | $38 Average price Cheapest | $614 Average price | $84 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 30m Average total duration 5h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 42m Average total duration 8h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 5m Average total duration Fastest 3h 5m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 5h 33m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | - 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.
Compare ways to travel from Leipzig to Cologne
Compare the available ways to get from Leipzig to Cologne, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Leipzig to Cologne:
A bus is $74 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Leipzig to Cologne costing on average $112.
A bus is $576 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Leipzig to Cologne costing on average $614.
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 30m.
Bus takes on average 8h 42m.
You'll arrive about 33m sooner (5h 0m by train vs 5h 33m by car). Tickets start at around $112 compared to roughly $84 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 Leipzig to Cologne
How to get from Leipzig to Cologne by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Leipzig to Cologne is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- IC 2044
6:23 AM 6h22 Leipzig Hbf 12:45 PM Cologne Hbf $35 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
- IC 2044
6:23 AM 6h22 Leipzig Hbf 12:45 PM Cologne Hbf $35 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
- ICE 503 · ICE 750 · ICE 726
7:55 AM 4h19 Leipzig Hbf 12:14 PM Cologne Messe/Deutz $59 1 One-way 2 transfers
Other options
- FlixBus+
FlixTrain11:45 AM 9h56 Leipzig, Hbf 9:41 PM Cologne Hbf $36 1 One-way 1 transfer - FlixBus+FlixTrain
4:05 AM 9h40 Leipzig, Hbf 1:45 PM Cologne Hbf $36 1 One-way 1 transfer - S3 · IC 2044
6:09 AM 6h36 Leipzig Markt 12:45 PM Cologne Hbf $39 1 One-way 1 transfer
- FlixBus
1:25 PM 7h55 Leipzig, Hbf 9:20 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) $52 1 One-way 0 transfers - FlixBus+FlixTrain
7:20 AM 10h27 Leipzig, Hbf 5:47 PM Cologne Hbf $60 1 One-way 1 transfer - FlixBus · FlixBus
9:55 AM 9h50 Leipzig, Hbf 7:45 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) $61 1 One-way 1 transfer
- LH159 · LH96+
LH40506:10 AM 6h15 Leipzig/Halle Airport 12:25 PM Cologne Bonn Airport $823 1 One-way 2 transfers 
LH153+LH108 · LH198410:30 AM 6h25 Leipzig/Halle Airport 4:55 PM Cologne Bonn Airport $899 1 One-way 2 transfers- LH153+LH106 · LH1984
10:30 AM 6h25 Leipzig/Halle Airport 4:55 PM Cologne Bonn Airport $899 1 One-way 2 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, 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.
More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.
FAQs: Travel from Leipzig 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 Leipzig to Cologne.
This is compared to other travel options from Leipzig to Cologne:
A bus is $74 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Leipzig to Cologne costing on average $112.
A bus is $576 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Leipzig to Cologne costing on average $614.
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 30m.
Bus takes on average 8h 42m.
- Around 9 trains per day.
- Around 4 flights per day.
- Around 3 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Leipzig and Cologne as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Leipzig/Halle Airport and arrive in Cologne Bonn Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Leipzig Hbf and arrive in Cologne Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Leipzig, Hbf and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
- Travel with FlixBus to go to Cologne by bus.
- Travel with Lufthansa, Air Baltic, Eurowings, Lufthansa City Airlines, Lufthansa Cityline to go to Cologne by flight.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain to go to Cologne by train.
- 2 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
- 1 direct trains per day with FlixTrain.
Travelling from Leipzig to Cologne: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Travel to popular destinations by train, bus or flight
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
