Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Cologne to Hamburg
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Hamburg among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €20. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 29m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €20, and a flight costs an average of €245.
Distance: 360 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€54 Average price | €33 Average price Cheapest | €632 Average price |
5h 38m Average total duration 5h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 30m Average total duration 5h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 29m Average total duration Fastest 1h 29m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 1.1 - 2.2kg 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.
Travel optionsfrom Cologne to Hamburg
How to get from Cologne to Hamburg by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cologne to Hamburg is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus4:05 PM7h30Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)11:35 PMHamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof€271One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
FlixBus4:05 PM7h30Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)11:35 PMHamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof€271One-way0 transfers
Fastest
LH4051+
LH20621:05 PM3h25Cologne Bonn Airport4:30 PMHamburg Airport€5491One-way1 transfer
Other options
26835 · IC 2349 · 4446+
819068:49 PM9h36Cologne Hbf6:25 AMHamburg Hbf€301One-way3 transfers
FlixTrain3:01 PM4h15Cologne Hbf7:16 PMHamburg Harburg€361One-way0 transfers
FlixTrain3:01 PM4h27Cologne Hbf7:28 PMHamburg Hbf€361One-way0 transfers
FlixBus11:35 PM7h05Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)6:40 AMHamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof€301One-way0 transfers
FlixBus4:05 AM6h40Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)10:45 AMHamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof€311One-way0 transfers
LH1973 · LH20588:30 AM4h00Cologne Bonn Airport12:30 PMHamburg Airport€5491One-way1 transfer
Find 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, 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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FAQs: Travel from Cologne to Hamburg
Travel to Hamburg 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 Hamburg.

This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Hamburg:
A bus is €21 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Hamburg costing on average €54.
A bus is €598 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Hamburg costing on average €632.
Other travel options to Hamburg take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 0m.
Train takes on average 5h 8m.
- Around 16 trains per day.
- Around 5 buses per day.
- Around 3 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cologne and Hamburg as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Cologne Bonn Airport and arrive in Hamburg Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Cologne Hbf and arrive in Hamburg Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) and arrive in Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) to go to Hamburg by train.
- Travel with Eurowings, Lufthansa, Tuifly to go to Hamburg by flight.
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar to go to Hamburg by bus.
- 12 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC).
- 0 direct flights per day with Eurowings.
- 4 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
Travelling from Cologne to Hamburg: related information
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