4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Zurich to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Zurich to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $30. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 20m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $30, and a flight costs an average of $102.
Distance: 256 miles (413 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$181 Average price | $268 Average price | $58 Average price Cheapest | $172 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 57m Average total duration 6h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 20m Average total duration Fastest 1h 20m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 9h 58m Average total duration 9h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 32m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.2 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular airline |  Most popular bus company | 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 Zurich to Cologne:
A bus is $123 (€101) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Zurich to Cologne costing on average $181 (€149).
A bus is $209 (€172) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Zurich to Cologne costing on average $268 (€220).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 27m.
Bus takes on average 9h 28m.
Travel optionsfrom Zurich to Cologne
How to get from Zurich to Cologne by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Zurich to Cologne is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- FlixBus9:25 PM9h20Kloten, Zürich Flughafen (Bahnhof)6:45 AMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)$561One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus9:25 PM9h20Kloten, Zürich Flughafen (Bahnhof)6:45 AMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)$561One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- EW7656:05 PM1h05Zurich Airport7:10 PMCologne Bonn Airport$1581One-way0 transfers
Other options
- RE 4936 · 3073 · 4826 · ICE 6988:05 PM9h39Zurich HB5:44 AMCologne Hbf$611One-way4 transfers
- S 9 · 17791 · 4822 · ICE 6188:07 PM9h47Zurich HB5:54 AMCologne Hbf$861One-way5 transfers
- RE 4936 · 3073 · 4826 · ICE 6188:05 PM9h49Zurich HB5:54 AMCologne Hbf$861One-way3 transfers
- FlixBus · FlixBus5:25 PM10h10Kloten, Zürich Flughafen (Bahnhof)3:35 AMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)$611One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus · FlixBus6:20 PM11h40Kloten, Zürich Flughafen (Bahnhof)6:00 AMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)$951One-way1 transfer
4739 · 5211911:59 PM14h26Zürich, Sihlquai Bus Terminal (Carparkplatz Sihlquai)2:25 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$1101One-way1 transfer
- LX44266:05 PM1h05Zurich Airport7:10 PMCologne Bonn Airport$4731One-way0 transfers
LH5763+
LH19769:30 AM2h55Zurich Airport12:25 PMCologne Bonn Airport$5071One-way1 transfer- LH5765+
LH19821:15 PM4h05Zurich Airport5:20 PMCologne Bonn Airport$5071One-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 Zürich to Cologne
The Best Way According to our Users
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FAQs: Travel from Zurich 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 Zurich to Cologne.
This is compared to other travel options from Zurich to Cologne:
A bus is $123 (€101) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Zurich to Cologne costing on average $181 (€149).
A bus is $209 (€172) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Zurich to Cologne costing on average $268 (€220).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 27m.
Bus takes on average 9h 28m.
- Around 13 trains per day.
- Around 7 flights per day.
- Around 4 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Zurich and Cologne as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Zurich Airport and arrive in Cologne Bonn Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Zurich HB and arrive in Cologne Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Kloten, Zürich Flughafen (Bahnhof) and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
- Travel with Eurowings, Smartwings, Tuifly, Lufthansa, Edelweiss Air to go to Cologne by flight.
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus to go to Cologne by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | Nightjet, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB | InterCity, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) to go to Cologne by train.
- 3 direct flights per day with Eurowings, Smartwings.
- 1 direct buses per day with BlaBlaCar.
- 1 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | Nightjet, ÖBB | Euro City (EC).
Travelling from Zurich to Cologne: related information
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