The cheapest and fastest buses from Dortmund to Cologne
Cheapest price
€2
Average price
€8
Fastest journey
30 m
Average duration
40 m
Buses per day
13
Distance
74 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Dortmund to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Dortmund to Cologne will cost around €8 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €2.
Of the 13 buses that leave Dortmund for Cologne on Fri, Mar 20, 13 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Mar 20 the direct buses cover the 74 km distance in an average of 40 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 30 m .
On Fri, Mar 20 the slowest buses will take 1 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.










Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Dortmund to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Dortmund to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €6. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 19m. 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 €6, and a train costs an average of €7.
Distance: 74 km
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
€9 Average price Cheapest | €12 Average price |
2h 15m Average total duration 1h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 49m Average total duration Fastest 1h 19m 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
Dortmund to Cologne bus times
The table below shows live departures for Dortmund to Cologne buses for today, Thursday, March 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 4:00 PM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf | 2h45 | 6:45 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 5:25 PM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf | 1h55 | 7:20 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 6:35 PM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf | 1h45 | 8:20 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 7:40 PM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf | 3h05 | 10:45 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, March 20 | |||||
FlixBus | 4:05 AM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf | 2h35 | 6:40 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:15 AM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf | 2h50 | 7:05 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 7:15 AM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf | 2h55 | 10:10 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 8:45 AM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf | 3h20 | 12:05 PM 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 Dortmund 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 19
Mar 20
Mar 21
Mar 22
Mar 23
Mar 24
Mar 25
Mar 26
Mar 27
Mar 28
Mar 29
Mar 30
Mar 31
Apr 01
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Apr 03
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Apr 05
Apr 06
Apr 07
Apr 08
Why should you book Dortmund to Cologne buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for FlixBus, but also compare tickets for the likes of Ecolines to find the best option for your trip from Dortmund to Cologne.
- 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 Dortmund to Cologne.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu, Trainline or Checkmybus?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Ecolines to find the best option for your trip from Dortmund to Cologne.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Dortmund to Cologne.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Dortmund to Cologne
Buses from Dortmund to Cologne run on average 9 times per day, taking around 1h 45m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €6 if you book in advance.
There are 9 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 03:25, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 74 km distance in 1h 45m.
Distance 74 km |
Average bus duration 1h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price €6 |
Buses per day 9 |
Direct buses 9 |
Fastest bus 1h 45m |
First bus 03:25 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Bus providers: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, Ecolines from Dortmund to CologneYou can travel by bus between Dortmund to Cologne with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, Ecolines for as low as €6. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
Ecolines
BlaBlaCar
FAQs: Bus from Dortmund to Cologne
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Dortmund 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.

- Ecolines
- Assistance
- Designated seating
- Assistance with luggage.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Ecolines
- You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a partial refund. Changes allowed for a fee.
- 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.
- Ecolines
- One carry-on bag up to 5kg and one checked bag up to 30kg.
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- Ecolines
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- Ecolines
- Small pets allowed in carriers
- additional fee may apply.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Dortmund to Cologne
- 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
- 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 Dortmund
More options for your journey from Dortmund to Cologne
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need


