The cheapest and fastest buses from Cologne to Dortmund
Cheapest price
€5
Average price
€8
Fastest journey
40 m
Average duration
1 h 35 m
Buses per day
9
Distance
74 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cologne to Dortmund is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Dortmund will cost around €8 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €5.
Of the 9 buses that leave Cologne for Dortmund on Tue, Nov 18, 9 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Nov 18 the direct buses cover the 74 km distance in an average of 1 h 35 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 40 m .
On Tue, Nov 18 the slowest buses will take 2 h 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.


FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus

FlixBus
FlixBusTravel Information
Compare train and bus for Cologne to Dortmund
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Dortmund among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €5. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 18m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €5, and a train costs an average of €7.
Distance: 74 km
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
€8 Average price Cheapest | €14 Average price |
2h 6m Average total duration 1h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 48m Average total duration Fastest 1h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg 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
Cologne to Dortmund bus times
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Dortmund buses for today, Monday, November 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 4:10 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 3h10 | 7:20 AM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:30 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 2h50 | 7:20 AM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 6:50 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 2h00 | 8:50 AM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:20 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 1h45 | 11:05 AM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:45 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 3h25 | 8:10 PM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 7:40 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 2h55 | 10:35 PM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, November 18 | |||||
![]() | 3:30 AM Cologne | 2h50 | 6:20 AM Dortmund | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cologne to Dortmund 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.
Nov 17
Nov 18
Nov 19
Nov 20
Nov 21
Nov 22
Nov 23
Nov 24
Nov 25
Nov 26
Nov 27
Nov 28
Nov 29
Nov 30
Dec 01
Dec 02
Dec 03
Dec 04
Dec 05
Dec 06
Dec 07
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Cologne to Dortmund
Buses from Cologne to Dortmund run on average 9 times per day, taking around 1h 36m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €5 if you book in advance.
There are 9 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 02:25, the last at 23:40. The fastest bus covers the 74 km distance in 1h 45m.
Distance 74 km |
Average bus duration 1h 36m |
Cheapest ticket price €5 |
Buses per day 9 |
Direct buses 9 |
Fastest bus 1h 45m |
First bus 02:25 |
Last bus 23:40 |
Bus providers: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar from Cologne to DortmundYou can travel by bus between Cologne to Dortmund with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar for as low as €5. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
BlaBlaCar
FAQs: Bus from Cologne to Dortmund
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Dortmund 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 Dortmund, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Cologne to Dortmund, follow these tips:
Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Cologne to Dortmund
- Free Wi-Fi
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- 00:00-23:59
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cafeteria Köln Hbf (in the station)
- Local Cuisine Express (in the station)
- Fast Food Corner (in the station).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 132, 133, 250, 260 Metro: U5, U16, U18 Train: S6, S11, S12, S13
- 00:00-23:59
- Free Wi-Fi
- Available outside Terminal 2 arrivals area.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: SB60 Train: S13, S19
- 06:00-22:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cafeteria Express (in the station)
- Bistro Central (0.2 km)
- Restaurant Heimatliebe (0.5 km).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 452, 453, 460 Metro: U41, U45, U47, U49 Train: S1, S2, S5
Most popular bus connections from Cologne
More options for your journey from Cologne to Dortmund
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

