How to travel from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main

Sat, Jan 24
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Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight 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 €7. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 13m. 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 €7, and a train costs an average of €10.

Distance: 153 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus

€57

Average price

€11

Average price

Cheapest

2h 48m

Average total duration

2h 18m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 43m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 13m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.2 - 0.4kg

CO2 emissions

Deutsche Bahn

Most popular train company

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Direct Options

Direct Options

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

Travel options
from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main

How to get from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

bus

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.

FlixBusFlixBus
10:35AM2h10
Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen)
12:45PMFrankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof)
171One-way
0 transfers

Cheapest

Regiojet(Amsterdam -> Prague)
07:40PM2h50
Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
10:30PMFrankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof)
91One-way
0 transfers

Fastest

Deutsche BahnICE 1013
05:32PM0h47
Cologne Messe/Deutz
06:19PMFrankfurt Airport long-distance station
701One-way
0 transfers

Other options

Deutsche BahnIC 60403
11:42PM2h42
Cologne Hbf
02:24AMFrankfurt West station
181One-way
0 transfers
Deutsche BahnICE 219
09:58AM0h57
Cologne Messe/Deutz
10:55AMFrankfurt Airport long-distance station
501One-way
0 transfers
Deutsche BahnICE 617
09:54PM0h55
Cologne Hbf
10:49PMFrankfurt Airport long-distance station
361One-way
0 transfers
FlixBusFlixBus
08:35AM2h25
Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen)
11:00AMFrankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof)
151One-way
0 transfers
FlixBusFlixBus
08:15AM2h50
Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen)
11:05AMFrankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof)
161One-way
0 transfers
FlixBusFlixBus
08:35AM2h00
Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen)
10:35AMFrankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36)
171One-way
0 transfers

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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.

Find and Book with Omio the Best Tickets from Cologne to Frankfurt

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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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HomeTravelTravel to Frankfurt am MainHow to travel from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main

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