The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne to Basel
Cheapest price
€55
Average price
€110
Fastest journey
3 h 53 m
Average duration
4 h 13 m
Trains per day
7
Distance
378 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne to Basel is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Basel will cost around €110 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €55.
Of the 7 trains that leave Cologne for Basel on Wed, Nov 05, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Nov 05 the direct trains cover the 378 km distance in an average of 4 h 13 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 53 m .
On Wed, Nov 05 the slowest trains will take 4 h 40 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.
EC 7
ICE 103
ICE 515 · ICE 277
ICE 27 · ICE 225 · ICE 73
ICE 915 · ICE 71
ICE 103
ICE 515 · ICE 277
ICE 915 · ICE 71
EC 7
EC 7Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cologne to Basel
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Basel 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 10m. 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 €52.
Distance: 378 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€100 Average price | €38 Average price Cheapest |
5h 40m Average total duration Fastest 5h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 40m Average total duration 8h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Cologne to Basel train times
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:55 PM Cologne | 6h25 | 4:20 AM Basel | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:58 PM Cologne | 6h22 | 4:20 AM Basel | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, November 5 | |||||
EC 7 | Delayed 8:13 AM 7:53 AMCologne Hbf | 4h40 | 1:00 PM 1:00 PMBasel SBB | 0 transfersDirect | |
EC 7 | Delayed 8:13 AM 7:53 AMCologne Hbf | 4h40 | 1:00 PM 1:00 PMBasel SBB | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 103 | Delayed 8:03 AM 7:55 AMCologne Hbf | 3h53 | 11:48 AM Basel SBB | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 915 · ICE 71 | On time 8:10 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz | 4h00 | 12:10 PM Basel SBB | 1 transfer | |
ICE 27 · ICE 225 · ICE 73 | On time 8:53 AM Cologne Hbf | 5h02 | 1:55 PM Basel SBB | 2 transfers | |
ICE 27 · ICE 225 · ICE 73 | On time 8:53 AM Cologne Hbf | 5h02 | 1:55 PM Basel SBB | 2 transfers | |
ICE 515 · ICE 277 | Delayed 9:22 AM 8:55 AMCologne Hbf | 3h53 | 12:48 PM Basel SBB | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cologne to Basel by train or bus
Nov 05
Nov 06
Nov 07
Nov 08
Nov 09
Nov 10
Nov 11
Nov 12
Nov 13
Nov 14
Nov 15
Nov 16
Nov 17
Nov 18
Nov 19
Nov 20
Nov 21
Nov 22
Nov 23
Nov 24
Nov 25
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Cologne to Basel?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Cologne to Basel
Distance 378 km |
Average train duration 5h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price €52 |
Trains per day 11 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 3h 53m |
First train 00:01 |
Last train 23:57 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB Nightjet, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), ÖBB | InterCity, FlixTrain, Österreichische Bundesbahnen from Cologne to Basel trainsDeutsche Bahn, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB Nightjet, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), ÖBB | InterCity, FlixTrain, Österreichische Bundesbahnen trains will get you between Cologne and Basel from €23. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Deutsche Bahn
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.
ÖBB | ICE
ÖBB Nightjet
ÖBB | Euro City (EC)
ÖBB | InterCity
FlixTrain
Österreichische Bundesbahnen
FAQs: Trains from Cologne to Basel

When departing from Cologne, you have various train station options to start your trip from including Cologne Hbf, Cologne Messe/Deutz and Cologne-Ehrenfeld. When arriving in Basel, you can end your route in train stations like Basel SBB and Basel Bad Bhf.
Passengers board the train most frequently from Cologne Hbf, which is located around 1.6 miles (2.5 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Basel SBB, located 1.3 miles (2.1 km) away from the city centre.
popular train stations
Popular train stations from Cologne to Basel
- Mon - Fri: 06:00 - 21:00
- Sat - Sun: 07:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only.
- There are luggage lockers in the station.
- asiagourmet
- Coffee Fellows
- dean&david
- Dunkin' Donuts
- KFC
- McDonald's
- Pizza Hut
- Nordsee
- Starbucks
- Schweinske
- & more
- Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
- Wyndham Koeln
- Hilton Cologne
- Excelsior Hotel Ernst
- One near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5.
- I Siciliani-Dolce&Salato
- Burger King
- Café Franck
- Eichendorf
- Kölnotel
- Black Hotels
- Monday: 07:30 12:45 - 12:00 16:30
- Tuesday: 08:30 12:45 - 12:00 16:30
- Wednesday: 08:30 12:45 - 12:00 16:30
- Thursday: 08:30 12:45 - 12:00 16:30
- Friday: 08:30 12:45 - 12:00 16:30
- Zum Piccolo
- Kolpinghaus
- Pizzeria Marco Polo
- Grill Stube
- Pension Europa
- Hotel Geisler
- The niu Mill
- Monday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Tuesday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Wednesday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Thursday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Friday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Saturday: 09:00 13:30 - 13:00 16:00
- Sunday: 12:00 16:00 - 15:30 20:00
- Café Bistro Leysieffer
- Mishba
- Ständige Vertretung
- Kamps
- Subway
- Ganesha
- Magnus
- Borsalino
- Hotel Chelsea
- Hotel Mado
- Elite Hotel
- Blacksheep Hostel
- Couchsnacks
- Secco
- Bistro Lotus
- Ganesha
- Flandrischer Hof
- Lasthaus am Ring
- The Ascot Hotel
- Lindner Hotel City Plaza Cologne
- Weiler Kebap
- Başak Grill
- Le'zzet
- Seniorencafé Treffpunkt
- Haus Wester
- Monday: 06:00 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Thursday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Saturday: 08:00 - 17:00
- Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00
- Imbiss Athena
- Arena Grill
- Cafe Especial
- Joe Champs
- Pension Helenenwall
- Zur guten Quelle
- Zum Goldenen Hut
- Merlin
- Hanoi46
- Aida
- Vasco da Gama
- Alforat Grill & Pizza
- Stammhaus
- Hofcafé Gut Clarenhof
- GolfCity Bistro
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week. Access via Schwarzwaldallee.
- Restaurant Les Gareçons
- Restaurant Bahn Kantine
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- CHF 1
- Hotel Alexander
- Hotel Wettstein
- Hotel Balade
- Located in the main hall
- 330 places, covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms 1-4 for trains to Germany
- Hall 2: platforms 5-8 for regional trains within Switzerland
- Tram: Line 2, Line 6
- Bus: Several lines available
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, accessible via Centralbahnstrasse.
- Restaurant Da Roberto
- Brasserie Bahnhof Basel
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- CHF 2
- Hotel Victoria
- Hotel Schweizerhof Basel
- GAIA Hotel
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- 800 places, covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-5 for Swiss domestic trains
- Hall 2: platform 6-10 for international trains
- Hall 3: shopping and services area
- Tram: Line 1, Line 2, Line 8, Line 10, Line 11
- Bus: Several lines available
Most popular train connections from Cologne
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