Munich to Cologne train with Deutsche Bahn (ICE,IC,EC,RB,RE)

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The cheapest and fastest trains from Munich to Cologne

Showing times and prices for Jun 19

Cheapest price

€100

Average price

€125

Fastest journey

4 h 19 m

Average duration

4 h 27 m

Trains per day

Distance

456 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Munich to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Munich to Cologne will cost around €125 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €100.

Fast trains

Of the 6 trains that leave Munich for Cologne on Thu, Jun 19, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Thu, Jun 19 the direct trains cover the 456 km distance in an average of 4 h 27 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 19 m .

On Thu, Jun 19 the slowest trains will take 4 h 38 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.

ICE 610 · IC 2045

09:27AM5h39

Munich Hbf

03:06PMCologne Hbf

€1001One-way

1 transfer

ICE 690 · ICE 200

08:46AM4h19

Munich Hbf

01:05PMCologne Hbf

€1281One-way

1 transfer

ICE 568 · ICE 578 · ICE 314

09:02AM4h31

Munich Hbf

01:33PMCologne Hbf

€1281One-way

2 transfers

ICE 610

09:27AM4h38

Munich Hbf

02:05PMCologne Hbf

€1281One-way

0 transfers

ICE 1010

08:27AM4h21

Munich Hbf

12:48PMCologne Messe/Deutz

€1341One-way

0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for Munich to Cologne

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Munich to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €25. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 43m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg.

Compare train with

Most popular Train	Bus	Flight
€90 Average price	€60 Average price Cheapest	€206 Average price
6h 52m Average duration 6h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	12h 20m Average duration 11h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	4h 43m Average duration Fastest 1h 43m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time*
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest	0.5 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions	1.4 - 2.7kg CO2 emissions
Direct Options	Direct Options	Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Munich to Cologne train times

Showing trains for tomorrow, Thursday, June 19

Last updated at 9:54 PM

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Transfers
ICE 1010	On time 6:27 AM Munich Hbf	4h21	10:48 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz	0 transfersDirect
ICE 690 · ICE 200	On time 6:46 AM Munich Hbf	4h19	11:05 AM Cologne Hbf	1 transfer
ICE 724	On time 6:47 AM Munich Hbf	4h27	11:14 AM Cologne Messe/Deutz	0 transfersDirect
ICE 568 · ICE 578 · ICE 314	On time 7:02 AM Munich Hbf	4h31	11:33 AM Cologne Hbf	2 transfers
ICE 610	On time 7:27 AM Munich Hbf	4h38	12:05 PM Cologne Hbf	0 transfersDirect
ICE 610 · IC 2045	On time 7:27 AM Munich Hbf	5h39	1:06 PM Cologne Hbf	1 transfer
This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Munich to Cologne by train, bus, or flight

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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Munich to Cologne?

The best time to book your train from Munich to Cologne is 84 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Munich to Cologne route.

Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Munich to Cologne per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Munich to Cologne.

Trains

from €40

Buses

from €25

Flights

from €96

Journey information

Overview: Train from Munich to Cologne

Germany

Trains from Munich to Cologne run on average 10 times per day, taking around 6h 22m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €20 if you book in advance.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.

Price information

Distance

455 km

Average train duration

6h 22m

Cheapest ticket price

€20

Trains per day

Direct trains

Fastest train

3h 57m

First train

07:27

Last train

20:51

Price information

Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain and TGV trains Munich to Cologne

You can travel by train between Munich and Cologne with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain and TGV for as low as €36. When you search for timetables and tickets, Omio will show you the best trip.

Deutsche Bahn (DB) is the main operator of train services in Germany, making on average 40,000 journeys per day. A special feature of Deutsche Bahn is its wide range of ticket types, savings offers including Super Saver, Saver, and Flexible fares and discount cards like the BahnCard 25, 50 and 100, which you can also use for your train from Munich to Cologne. DB uses different types of trains such as the ICE (Intercity Express), IC (Intercity), EC (Eurocity), IRE (Interregio-Express), RE (Regional Express) and RB (Regionalbahn) on its routes, which differ in terms of comfort and the time required to travel. For example, while toilets are standard amenities, services like an onboard restaurant or free WiFi are only available on certain trains.

Munich to Cologne train information with Deutsche Bahn:

Average Duration: 4 h 20 min
Cheapest Price: €36
Deutsche Bahn frequency: 1 a day

FlixTrain is a German train company which is part of FlixMobility, the company who own FlixBus. Since 2018, FlixMobility has also offered the option of train travel to some of the largest German cities like Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart and Berlin including trains between Munich and Cologne. FlixTrain has high speed comfortable trains with a guaranteed seat, foot space, reading lamp and a luggage rack to store your belongings as well as sockets on most trains and free Wi-Fi for all passengers. The most popualr routes in Germany for FlixTrain are from Berlin to Hamburg, Frankfurt to Stuttgart and Cologne to Hamburg. They also offer trains on the Sotckholm to Gothenburg route in Sweden.

FlixTrain from Munich to Cologne train information:

Average Duration: 15 h
Cheapest Price: €110

TGV is a high-speed train company based in France with trains to Cologne from Munich. It operates a fleet of modern, high-speed trains that can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h. The TGV offers a variety of train types, including the TGV Duplex, TGV Lyria, TGV InOui, and TGV OuiGo. Each train type offers different amenities, such as Wi-Fi, power outlets, and comfortable seating. The TGV also offers a variety of ticket types, including Standard, Flexi, and Prem's. Onboard facilities include a bar, restaurant, and luggage storage. The most popular routes for TGV are Paris to Lyon, Paris to Marseille, and Paris to Lille.

FAQs: Trains from Munich to Cologne

FAQs: Travel by train from Munich to Cologne easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Munich to Cologne.

Cheap train tickets from Munich to Cologne can start from as little as €18 when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Munich to Cologne is €77; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.

On average the Munich to Cologne train travel time is 4 h 24 min for the 455 km long journey, but the duration can vary if you travel on weekends and holidays.

The first train from Munich to Cologne leaves at 00: 01. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.

The last train from Munich to Cologne leaves at 23: 58.

Yes, there are 6 direct trains a day from Munich to Cologne with Deutsche Bahn. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct trains.

For the journey from Munich to Cologne you can take a train with Deutsche Bahn or FlixTrain. Be sure to check out all possible train companies that offer services between Munich and Cologne on Omio to compare what amenities they may have.

No, there are no night trains, the latest train for this route is 23: 58.

When departing from Munich, you have various train station options to start your journey from including Munich Hbf and Munich Ost. When arriving in Cologne, you can end your journey in train stations like Cologne Hbf, Cologne Messe/Deutz, Cologne/Bonn Flughafen and Cologne-Ehrenfeld.

Passengers board the train most frequently from Munich Hbf, which is located around 1.3 miles (2.1 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.

A trip to Cologne from Munich is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 4 h 24 min each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.

The cheapest month for a train from Munich to Cologne is August.

You have options as you can travel to Cologne from Munich 3 different ways: train, coach or flight.

popular train stations

Popular train stations from Munich to Cologne

Munich

Cologne

The major train station for departures in Munich is München Hbf. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at München Hbf for your trip from Munich to Cologne.

München Hbf Wifi