The cheapest and fastest buses from Basel to Cologne
Cheapest price
€37
Average price
€59
Fastest journey
4 h 40 m
Average duration
6 h 30 m
Buses per day
10
Distance
378 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Basel to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Basel to Cologne will cost around €59 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €37.
Of the 10 buses that leave Basel for Cologne on Sat, Mar 28, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Mar 28 the direct buses cover the 378 km distance in an average of 6 h 30 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 40 m .
On Sat, Mar 28 the slowest buses will take 8 h 5 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
05:00PM4h50Basel09:50PMCologne€371One-way0 transfers
FlixBus · FlixBus06:40PM8h55Basel, Bahnhof04:35AMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)€531One-way1 transfer
FlixTrain+
FlixBus08:44AM7h36Basel Bad Bhf04:20PMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)€541One-way1 transfer
FlixBus01:05AM7h20Basel, Bahnhof08:25AMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)€541One-way0 transfers
FlixBus08:05AM8h15Basel, Bahnhof04:20PMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)€541One-way0 transfers
07:30PM4h40Basel12:10AMCologne€551One-way0 transfers
05:00PM4h50Basel09:50PMCologne€371One-way0 transfers
FlixBus01:05AM7h20Basel, Bahnhof08:25AMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)€541One-way0 transfers
FlixTrain+
FlixBus08:44AM7h36Basel Bad Bhf04:20PMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)€541One-way1 transfer
FlixBus10:40PM8h05Basel, Bahnhof07:45AMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)€551One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Basel to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Basel to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €23. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 5h 11m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €23, and a train costs an average of €28.
Distance: 378 km
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
€38 Average price Cheapest | €95 Average price |
7h 10m Average total duration 6h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 41m Average total duration Fastest 5h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Basel to Cologne bus times
The table below shows live departures for Basel to Cologne buses for tomorrow, Friday, March 27. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 12:05 AM Basel, Bahnhof | 7h20 | 7:25 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
4739 · 52119 | 12:05 AM Basel, Meret Oppenheim-Strasse (Bahnhof SBB) | 13h20 | 1:25 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 3:50 AM Basel, Bahnhof | 10h15 | 2:05 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 7:05 AM Basel, Bahnhof | 8h15 | 3:20 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixTrain+ FlixBus | 7:44 AM Basel Bad Bhf | 7h36 | 3:20 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:40 PM Basel, Bahnhof | 9h15 | 1:55 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 5:40 PM Basel, Bahnhof | 8h55 | 2:35 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 9:40 PM Basel, Bahnhof | 8h05 | 5:45 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Basel to Cologne by train or bus
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.
Mar 28
Mar 29
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Mar 31
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Why should you book Basel to Cologne buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare FlixBus with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Basel to Cologne.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Basel to Cologne.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Basel to Cologne
Buses from Basel to Cologne run on average 8 times per day, taking around 6h 40m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €23 if you book in advance.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 378 km distance in 7h 20m.
Distance 378 km |
Average bus duration 6h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price €23 |
Buses per day 8 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 7h 20m |
First bus 00:05 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Bus providers: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar from Basel to CologneYou can travel by bus between Basel to Cologne with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar for as low as €23. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
BlaBlaCar
FAQs: Bus from Basel to Cologne
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Basel to Cologne by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cologne, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Basel to Cologne
- 05:30-23:30
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cafeteria Swiss (in the station)
- Italian Bistro (in the station)
- Café Express (in the station).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available on the concourse.
- Bus: 30, 50 Tram: 8, 10, 11 Train: S3, S6
- Free Wi-Fi
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- 00:00-23:59
- Free Wi-Fi
- Available outside Terminal 2 arrivals area.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: SB60 Train: S13, S19
Most popular bus connections from Basel
More options for your journey from Basel to Cologne
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need


