4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Rotterdam to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Rotterdam to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of DKK 202 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 41m. 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 DKK 202, while a flight costs an average of DKK 4,205.
Distance: 126 miles (204 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
DKK 536 Average price | DKK 202 Average price Cheapest | DKK 4,205 Average price | DKK 374 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 41m Average total duration Fastest 3h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 51m Average total duration 5h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 20m Average total duration 2h 20m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 2h 59m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg 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 Rotterdam to Cologne
Compare the available ways to get from Rotterdam to Cologne, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Rotterdam to Cologne:
A bus is DKK 335 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Rotterdam to Cologne costing on average DKK 536.
A bus is DKK 4,004 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Rotterdam to Cologne costing on average DKK 4,205.
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Flight takes on average 4h 20m.
Bus takes on average 5h 51m.
Tickets start at around DKK 536 compared to roughly DKK 374 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about -DKK 162. The journey takes 3h 11m versus 2h 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 Rotterdam to Cologne
How to get from Rotterdam to Cologne by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Rotterdam to Cologne is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
(Amsterdam -> Prague)3:15 PM4h25Rotterdam, Conradstraat (Centraal Station)7:40 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)DKK 1111One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- (Amsterdam -> Prague)3:15 PM4h25Rotterdam, Conradstraat (Centraal Station)7:40 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)DKK 1111One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- IC 2059 · ICE 1294:05 PM3h13Rotterdam Centraal7:18 PMCologne HbfDKK 3981One-way1 transfer
Other options
- IC 2877 · IC 604038:50 PM3h19Rotterdam Centraal12:09 AMCologne HbfDKK 1601One-way1 transfer
- RE 4074 · IC 579 · IC 3079 · ICE 5508:54 PM5h25Rotterdam Centraal2:19 AMCologne HbfDKK 2311One-way4 transfers
- IC 2067 · ICE 2216:05 PM3h15Rotterdam Centraal9:20 PMCologne HbfDKK 3511One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus1:05 PM6h00Rotterdam, Conradstraat (Centraal Station)7:05 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)DKK 1721One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus9:35 AM4h50Rotterdam, Conradstraat (Centraal Station)2:25 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)DKK 1911One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus6:30 PM4h50Rotterdam, Conradstraat (Centraal Station)11:20 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)DKK 2031One-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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How to get from Rotterdam to Cologne
The Best Way According to our Users
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FAQs: Travel from Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam to Cologne.
This is compared to other travel options from Rotterdam to Cologne:
A bus is DKK 335 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Rotterdam to Cologne costing on average DKK 536.
A bus is DKK 4,004 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Rotterdam to Cologne costing on average DKK 4,205.
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Flight takes on average 4h 20m.
Bus takes on average 5h 51m.
- Around 7 buses per day.
- Around 4 trains per day.
- Around 1 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Rotterdam and Cologne as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Rotterdam The Hague Airport and arrive in Cologne Bonn Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Rotterdam Centraal and arrive in Cologne Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Rotterdam, Conradstraat (Centraal Station) and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
- Travel with British Airways to go to Cologne by flight.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, VIAS Rail GmbH to go to Cologne by train.
- Travel with FlixBus, Union Ivkoni International, BlaBlaCar Bus to go to Cologne by bus.
- 4 direct buses per day with FlixBus, Union Ivkoni International.
Travelling from Rotterdam to Cologne: related information
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