The cheapest and fastest trains from Kraków to Cologne
Cheapest price
€50
Average price
€80
Fastest journey
11 h 45 m
Average duration
15 h 33 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
923 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Kraków to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Kraków to Cologne will cost around €80 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €50.
It's difficult to get from Kraków to Cologne without transferring at least once.
IC 3828 · EC 42 · ICE 699 · ICE 618
EC 58 · ICE 852
IC 3828 · EC 42 · ICE 540+
95788
EC 58 · RJ 179 · EC 458+
15160
IC 134 · IC 2174 · ICE 1154
IC 134 · IC 2174 · ICE 1154
EC 58 · ICE 852
IC 3828 · EC 42 · ICE 540+
95788
IC 3828 · EC 42 · ICE 699 · ICE 618
EC 58 · RJ 179 · EC 458+
15160Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Kraków to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Kraków to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €44. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 19m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.3 - 0.8kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €44, and a flight costs an average of €165.
Distance: 923 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€105 Average price | €74 Average price Cheapest | €471 Average price |
14h 7m Average total duration 13h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 19h 21m Average total duration 18h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 19m Average total duration Fastest 2h 19m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.9 - 2.3kg CO2 emissions | 2.8 - 5.5kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Kraków to Cologne train times
The table below shows live departures for Kraków to Cologne trains for today, Wednesday, January 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EC 58 · RJ 179 · EC 458+ 15160 | On time 10:50 AM Kraków Główny | 18h14 | 5:04 AM Cologne Hbf | 4 transfers | |
EC 58 · ICE 842 · ICE 209 | On time 10:50 AM Kraków Główny | 12h58 | 11:48 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3828 · EC 42 · ICE 699 · ICE 618 | On time 10:55 AM Kraków Główny | 18h09 | 5:04 AM Cologne Hbf | 3 transfers | |
TLK 38106 · EC 40 · ICE 1540 | On time 1:13 PM Kraków Główny | 16h02 | 5:15 AM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
| Thursday, January 22 | |||||
IC 134 · IC 2174 · ICE 1154 | 8:55 AM Kraków Główny | 11h45 | 8:40 PM Cologne Hbf | 2 transfers | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Kraków to Cologne by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, and flight 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.
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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Kraków to Cologne?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Kraków to Cologne
Trains from Kraków to Cologne run on average 10 times per day, taking around 13h 37m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €45 but you can travel from only €44 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 923 km distance in 11h 49m.
Distance 923 km |
Average train duration 13h 37m |
Cheapest ticket price €45 |
Trains per day 10 |
Fastest train 11h 49m |
First train 00:01 |
Last train 23:58 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, PKP Intercity from Kraków to Cologne trainsDeutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, PKP Intercity trains will get you between Kraków and Cologne from €44. 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.
FlixTrain
PKP Intercity
FAQs: Trains from Kraków to Cologne
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Kraków to Cologne 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 Cologne, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

When departing from Kraków, you have various train station options to start your trip from including Kraków Główny and Krakow Glowny (Dworzec autobusowy Bosacka 18). When arriving in Cologne, you can end your trip in train stations like Cologne Hbf, Cologne Messe/Deutz and Cologne/Bonn Flughafen.
Passengers board the train most frequently from Kraków Główny, which is located around 1.6 miles (2.6 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Cologne Hbf, located 1.6 miles (2.5 km) away from the city centre.
popular train stations
Popular train stations from Kraków to Cologne
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7. Access via Pawia Street.
- Restauracja Browar Lubicz
- Bistro Bene by Tomasz Leśniak
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, restrooms.
- PLN 2
- Hotel Mercure Krakow Stare Miasto
- PURO Kraków Stare Miasto
- Vienna House Andel's Cracow
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms 1-5 for regional trains
- Hall 2: platforms 6-10 for long-distance and international trains
- Tram: Lines 3, 5, 19, 50
- Bus: Several lines available
- 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.
- 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
- 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
Most popular train connections from Kraków
More options for your journey from Kraków to Cologne
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