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Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cologne to Frankfurt am Main
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €8. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 8m. 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 €8, and a train costs an average of €10.
Distance: 153 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€27 Average price | €12 Average price Cheapest |
2h 47m Average total duration 2h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 38m Average total duration Fastest 2h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.4kg 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.
Travel optionsfrom Cologne to Frankfurt am Main
How to get from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBusCheapest
(Amsterdam -> Prague)Fastest
ICE 1013Other options
ICE 1225ICE 617ICE 1229FlixBusFlixBusFlixBusFind all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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.
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How to Travel from Cologne to Frankfurt?
There are two direct methods of transport when travelling between the German cities of Cologne and Frankfurt: train and bus. Train journeys take from just over one hour to 2.5 hours, while bus routes range from a little more than two hours to around 3.5 hours. As this is a popular route, there are multiple departures of both trains and buses every day of the week.
What is the Cheapest Way To Get from Cologne to Frankfurt?
Travelling from Cologne to Frankfurt by bus is considerably cheaper than making the journey by train. Flixbus operates between a dozen and nearly two dozen departures, seven days a week with overall journey times of between two and 3.5 hours. All routes are direct. Departures start in the early hours of the morning and continue at regular intervals until late at night. Coaches leave from the Flughafen Transfer Point on Frankfurterstrasse in Cologne and arrive at the bus station adjacent to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof.
What is the Fastest Way to Travel from Cologne to Frankfurt?
Deutsche Bahn (DB) operates a regular schedule of train departures to Frankfurt from Cologne. With direct or connecting routes taking between one and 2.5 hours, this is the fastest way of travelling between the two cities. Departures start in the early hours of the morning, and then there are up to five departures an hour until late at night. Where connections are required, they are made at Koblenz, Mainz, or Frankfurt Flughafen (Airport). A similar timetable operates seven days a week. Departures are mainly from Cologne Hauptbahnhof with a few trains leaving from Cologne Messe/Deutz. Journeys terminate at Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof.
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Travel from Cologne to Frankfurt by Train
Deutsche Bahn (DB) trains depart Cologne for Frankfurt regularly throughout the day on a schedule that operates seven days a week. Departures start in the early hours, and there are then up to five departures an hour until the last train leaves late at night. The overall journey time is between one and 2.5 hours with some routes being direct and others requiring a connection at Frankfurt Flughafen, Mainz, or Koblenz. Departures are from either Cologne Hauptbahnhof or Cologne Messe/Deutz Station with trains arriving into Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof. This is one of the busiest stations in Germany and is located in the city centre within walking distance of shops and attractions. It is part of an extensive transport network of taxis, U and S-Bahn trains (local metro), and local buses.
Travel from Cologne to Frankfurt by Bus
The route from Cologne to Frankfurt by coach is operated by Flixbus. Its weekly schedule has between a dozen and almost two dozen departures a day. These are all direct and start in the early hours of the morning, continuing until late at night. The journey time is between two and 3.5 hours. Coaches leave from Frankfurterstrasse in Cologne where there is a coach transfer point and arrive at Frankfurt's international bus terminal. This is part of its main train station. The station can be found in the heart of the city and is connected to local buses and U and S-Bahn services as well as having a taxi bank.
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FAQs: Travel from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main
Travel to Frankfurt am Main 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 Cologne to Frankfurt am Main.
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main:
A bus is €2 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main costing on average €10.
Other travel options to Frankfurt am Main take longer:
Train takes on average 54m.
- Around 30 trains per day.
- Around 28 buses per day.
- Around 1 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cologne and Frankfurt am Main as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Cologne Bonn Airport and arrive in Frankfurt am Main Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Cologne Hbf and arrive in Frankfurt Airport long-distance station.
- Buses mostly depart from Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) and arrive in Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36).
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus to go to Frankfurt am Main by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, Hessische Landesbahn, Intercity, ÖBB Nightjet to go to Frankfurt am Main by train.
- 28 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
- 25 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, Intercity, ÖBB Nightjet.
Travelling from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main: related information
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