Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cologne to Rotterdam
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Rotterdam among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €12. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 48m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €12, and a train costs an average of €21.
Distance: 204 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€62 Average price | €19 Average price Cheapest |
4h 18m Average total duration Fastest 3h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 23m Average total duration 4h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg 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 Rotterdam
How to get from Cologne to Rotterdam by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cologne to Rotterdam is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
(Prague -> Amsterdam)8:05 AM4h10Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)12:15 PMRotterdam, Conradstraat (Centraal Station)€151One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
(Prague -> Amsterdam)8:05 AM4h10Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)12:15 PMRotterdam, Conradstraat (Centraal Station)€151One-way0 transfers
Fastest
ICE 222 · IC 28246:49 AM2h51Cologne Hbf9:40 AMRotterdam Centraal€601One-way1 transfer
Other options
IC 60402 · IC 20225:47 AM3h38Cologne Hbf9:25 AMRotterdam Centraal€401One-way1 transfer
ICE 206 · ICE 242 · IC 20287:11 AM3h44Cologne Hbf10:55 AMRotterdam Centraal€441One-way2 transfers
10612 · 20074 · IC 3548 · IC 114611:25 AM3h19Cologne Hbf2:44 PMRotterdam Centraal€521One-way3 transfers
FlixBus12:45 PM6h05Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)6:50 PMRotterdam, Conradstraat (Centraal Station)€211One-way0 transfers
FlixBus+
FlixTrain4:14 PM4h41Cologne Hbf8:55 PMRotterdam, Conradstraat (Centraal Station)€241One-way1 transfer
FlixBus+
FlixTrain12:14 PM6h36Cologne Hbf6:50 PMRotterdam, Conradstraat (Centraal Station)€241One-way1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Cologne to Rotterdam
Travel to Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam.

This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Rotterdam:
A bus is €44 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Rotterdam costing on average €62.
Other travel options to Rotterdam take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 53m.
- Around 10 buses per day.
- Around 8 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cologne and Rotterdam as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Cologne Hbf and arrive in Rotterdam Centraal.
- Buses mostly depart from Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) and arrive in Rotterdam, Conradstraat (Centraal Station).
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, VIAS Rail GmbH, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) to go to Rotterdam by train.
- Travel with FlixBus, Union Ivkoni International, Union Ivkoni to go to Rotterdam by bus.
- 0 direct trains per day with Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS).
- 5 direct buses per day with FlixBus, Union Ivkoni International, Union Ivkoni.
Travelling from Cologne to Rotterdam: related information
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