4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne to Brussels
Cheapest price
€35
Average price
€71
Fastest journey
1 h 51 m
Average duration
1 h 53 m
Trains per day
8
Distance
183 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne to Brussels is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Brussels will cost around €71 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €35.
Of the 8 trains that leave Cologne for Brussels on Mon, Dec 15, 8 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Dec 15 the direct trains cover the 183 km distance in an average of 1 h 53 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 51 m .
On Mon, Dec 15 the slowest trains will take 1 h 56 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.
9414
ICE 316ICE 16943894749486ICE 169474ICE 3169414
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Cologne to Brussels
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Brussels among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €13. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 11m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €13, and a flight costs an average of €369.
Distance: 183 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€67 Average price | €22 Average price Cheapest | €671 Average price |
2h 41m Average total duration Fastest 2h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 58m Average total duration 3h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 4m Average total duration 9h 4m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Cologne to Brussels train times
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Brussels trains for today, Sunday, December 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9438 | 9:39 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h56 | 11:35 AM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
| ICE 16 | Delayed 10:57 AM 10:43 AMCologne Hbf | 1h52 | 12:44 PM 12:44 PMBrussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 9450 | 11:39 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h56 | 1:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
| ICE 314 | On time 12:42 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h53 | 2:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 9462 | 1:43 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h52 | 3:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
| ICE 14 | On time 2:41 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h54 | 4:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 9474 | 3:43 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h52 | 5:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
| ICE 12 | On time 4:43 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h52 | 6:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 9486 | 5:44 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h51 | 7:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
| ICE 10 | On time 6:43 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h52 | 8:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
| ICE 318 | On time 8:42 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h53 | 10:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Monday, December 15 | |||||
| 9414 | 5:39 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h56 | 7:35 AM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 9426 | 7:39 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h56 | 9:35 AM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
| ICE 316 | 8:41 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h54 | 10:35 AM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cologne to Brussels by train, bus, or flight
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Journey information
Overview: Train from Cologne to Brussels
Germany
Belgium
Trains from Cologne to Brussels run on average 8 times per day, taking around 2h 11m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €19 but you can travel from only €13 by bus.
There are 7 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:10, the last at 23:01. The fastest train covers the 183 km distance in 1h 49m.
Distance 183 km |
Average train duration 2h 11m |
Cheapest ticket price €19 |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 7 |
Fastest train 1h 49m |
First train 00:10 |
Last train 23:01 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar, Österreichische Bundesbahnen from Cologne to Brussels trainsDeutsche Bahn, Eurostar, Österreichische Bundesbahnen trains will get you between Cologne and Brussels from €13. 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.
Eurostar
Österreichische Bundesbahnen
Trains from Cologne to Brussels
Passengers wishing to visit the Belgian capital from Cologne will find rail travel a great choice. Frequent, direct departures leave the German city, heading for Brussels, with journey times of under two hours. Passengers can expect 11 direct departures, with over a dozen indirect services, though these can take closer to 9 hours. All trains depart from Cologne Hbf and arrive at Brussels-Midi Station, with departures spread throughout the day giving travelers flexibility when making plans.
Which train companies travel from Cologne to Brussels?
Two main providers offer routes from Cologne to Brussels. German-owned Deutsche Bahn (DB) and high-speed service Thalys share the route. Both companies provide modern carriages with comfortable seating, luggage space, power sockets, wifi access, and onboard dining options.
How long is the train from Cologne to Brussels?
The route from Cologne to Brussels is not a long one. The fastest direct trains from Cologne to Brussels take just one hour 50 minutes to complete the journey. Connecting services can take significantly longer, with some routes taking up to nine hours depending on the number of connections required and transfer times. Connecting routes require from one to three connections at stations such as Cologne-Ehrenfeld, Aachen, and Welkenraedt.
How many trains are there from Cologne to Brussels?
Whenever passengers decide to travel, they can expect 11 direct trains a day to Brussels from Cologne with a further range of connecting services. Departures are spread throughout the day, beginning in the early hours of the morning, with at least one departure an hour until mid-evening. Some evening departures travel overnight to arrive in Brussels the following morning.
What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Cologne to Brussels?
Departure train station: Trains between the two cities all depart from Cologne Hbf. This is the city's main station and it is conveniently located close to Cologne's historic and cultural attractions. To arrive at the airport, passengers can use S-Bahn trains, local buses, and taxis. Facilities at Cologne Hbf include car parking, wifi, left luggage lockers, toilets, cafes, restaurants, and food kiosks.
Arrival train station: All trains to Brussels from Cologne arrive at Brussels-Midi Station. Centrally located in the city the station is a large and busy hub for international train services, including high-speed Eurostar services. Onward travel is easy, thanks to the great links to metro trains, local buses, and taxis as well as a frequent shuttle service to Brussels South Charleroi Airport. Station facilities include car parking, wifi, left luggage storage, toilets shops, cafes, and restaurants.
FAQs: Trains from Cologne to Brussels
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Brussels by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Brussels, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
When departing from Cologne, you have various train station options to start your journey from including Cologne Hbf, Cologne Messe/Deutz and Cologne-Ehrenfeld. When arriving in Brussels, you can end your route in train stations like Brussels-Midi and Brussels-North.
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 Brussels-Midi, located 2 miles (3.2 km) away from the city centre.
popular train stations
Popular train stations from Cologne to Brussels
Wifi
Lockers
Shopping
Parking
Dining
ATM
Taxis
Accessibility
WC
Hotel
Lounge
Lost and Found Office
Ticket Office
Bike Parking
Bike Rental
Car Rental
Information Desk
- 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.
WifiLockersShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation Desk- I Siciliani-Dolce&Salato
- Burger King
- Café Franck
- Eichendorf
- Kölnotel
- Black Hotels
WifiLockersShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation Desk- 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
WifiLockersParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation DeskLuggage Carts- 6:30 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week. Access is available via Rue du Progrès.
- Chabrol Brasserie
- Winok Café
- Félix Wine Bar
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- €0.50
- Hotel Progress
- Hilton Brussels City
- Hotel Siru
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-6 for international and intercity trains
- Hall 2: platform 7-12 for regional and local trains
- Metro: Line 3, Line 4
- Tram: Line 25, Line 55
- Bus: Several lines available
WifiLockersParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation Desk
- Mon - Sun: 06:15 - 22:00
- Free Wi-Fi available in Starbucks.
- Luggage lockers are located on Level 0 near Platforms 1 and 2.
- Starbucks
- Brasserie 28 Brewery
- Panos
- Delitraiteur Eat & Go
- Station has a wide range of facilities for passengers with limited mobility: elevators and escalators to platforms, wheelchair lifts and mobile ramps, barrier-free toilets and accessible parking spaces. Additional assistance can be contacted via the SNCB Mobility Call Center.
- Hilton Brussels Grand Palace
- Hotel NH Brussels Carrefour de l'Europe
- Hôtel The Moon
- Mon - Sun: 06:15 - 22:00
- Travel Center / information desk is located on the left side from the main entrance.
- Metro lines: 1, 5
- Train lines: IC, Intercity Direct 9200, RER (S1, S2, S3, S6, S8, S10)
WifiLockersParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation Desk- Mon - Sun: 05:45 - 21:30
- Wi-Fi is available for a fee.
- Baggage storage facility is located across from the Thalys business lounge.
- Pullman Hotel Bar
- Quick Gare du Midi
- Subway
- EXKi Zuid
- Starbucks
- Häagen-Dazs
- Sbarro
- The Coffee Club
- The Belgian Chocolate House
- PAUL
- & many more
- Station has a wide range of facilities for passengers with reduced mobility: elevators and escalators to all platforms, wheelchair lifts and mobile ramps, disabled toilet and parking spaces. Additional assistance can be contacted via the SNCB Mobility Call Center.
- Les Lofts De Styliste
- Park Inn by Radisson Brussels Midi
- Pullman Brussels Centre Midi
- Located in the main concourse and next to the international platforms.
Most popular train connections from Cologne
More options for your journey from Cologne to Brussels
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Brussels and Cologne
Most popular train connections to Brussels
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