What is the cheapest way to get from Basel to Cologne?

The cheapest way to get from Basel to Cologne is to rideshare which costs €24 - €30 and takes 4h 57m.

What is the fastest way to get from Basel to Cologne?

The fastest way to get from Basel to Cologne is to train which takes 3h 40m and costs €85 - €550.

Is there a direct bus between Basel and Cologne?

Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Basel, Bahnhof and arriving at Köln. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 5h 53m.

Is there a direct train between Basel and Cologne?

Yes, there is a direct train departing from Basel Bad Bf and arriving at Köln Hbf. Services depart every two hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 3h 40m.

How far is it from Basel to Cologne?

The distance between Basel and Cologne is 489 km. The road distance is 490.5 km.

How do I travel from Basel to Cologne without a car?

The best way to get from Basel to Cologne without a car is to train which takes 3h 40m and costs €85 - €550.

How long does it take to get from Basel to Cologne?

The train from Basel Bad Bf to Köln Hbf takes 3h 40m including transfers and departs every two hours.

Where do I catch the Basel to Cologne bus from?

Basel to Cologne bus services, operated by GrandBus, depart from Basel, Bahnhof station.

Where do I catch the Basel to Cologne train from?

Basel to Cologne train services, operated by Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), depart from Basel Bad Bf station.

Train, bus or fly from Basel to Cologne?

The best way to get from Basel to Cologne is to train which takes 3h 40m and costs €85 - €550. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs and takes 5h 53m, you could also fly, which costs €110 - €340 and takes 6h 6m.

Where does the Basel to Cologne bus arrive?

Basel to Cologne bus services, operated by GrandBus, arrive at Köln station.

Where does the Basel to Cologne train arrive?

Basel to Cologne train services, operated by Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), arrive at Köln Hbf station.

Can I drive from Basel to Cologne?

Yes, the driving distance between Basel to Cologne is 490 km. It takes approximately 4h 10m to drive from Basel to Cologne.

How do I get a train ticket from Basel to Cologne?

Book your Basel to Cologne train tickets online with Omio.

How do I get a bus ticket from Basel to Cologne?

Book your Basel to Cologne bus tickets online with Omio.

Where can I stay near Cologne?

There are 887+ hotels available in Cologne.

Can I share a ride from Basel to Cologne?

Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between Basel and Cologne. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.

Basel to Cologne - 12 ways to travel via train, bus, night train, and car

There are 12 ways to get from Basel to Cologne by train, bus, night train, car, rideshare, or plane

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

Train
best
1. Take the train from Basel Bad Bf to Köln Hbftrain 43 / ...
3h 40m
€85–550
Rideshare
cheapest
1. Take the rideshare from Basel to Colognerideshare 490.4 km
4h 57m
€24–30
Bus
1. Take the bus from Basel, Bahnhof to Kölnbus Ivano-Frankivsk
5h 53m
Night train
1. Take the night train from Basel Bad Bf to Koeln Messe/Deutz Gl.11-12nighttrain Nj
6h 17m
€30–102
Drive 490.5 km
1. Drive from Basel to Colognecar 490.5 km
4h 10m
€88–126
Bus via Bonn UN Campus
1. Take the bus from Basel SBB to Bonn UN Campusbus FlixBus N11
8h 48m
€38–62
Fly Basel to Düsseldorf International Airport
1. Fly from Basel (BSL) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane BSL - DUS
6h 6m
€118–338
Train to Zurich Airport, fly to Cologne Bonn Airport
1. Take the train from Basel SBB to Zürich HBtrain
2. Fly from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)plane ZRH - CGN
5h 1m
€109–319
Fly Basel to Cologne Bonn Airport
1. Fly from Basel (BSL) to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)plane BSL - CGN
6h 32m
€166–320
Train to Zurich Airport, fly to Düsseldorf International Airport
1. Take the train from Basel SBB to Zürich HBtrain
2. Fly from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane ZRH - DUS
5h 40m
€116–347
Fly Basel to Frankfurt, train
1. Fly from Basel (BSL) to Frankfurt (FRA)plane BSL - FRA
2. Take the train from Frankfurt to Köln Messe/Deutz Bftrain
4h 32m
€153–419
Train to Frankfurt, fly to Düsseldorf International Airport
1. Take the train from Basel Bad Bf to Frankfurttrain
2. Fly from Frankfurt (FRA) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane FRA - DUS
5h 26m
€158–353

Basel to Cologne by train

89Weekly Trains

3h 40mAverage Duration

€85Cheapest Price

See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Basel to Cologne.

Launch map view

Distance: 488.7 km
Duration: 3h 40m

What companies run services between Basel, Switzerland and Cologne, Germany?

Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) operates a train from Basel Bad Bf to Köln Hbf every 2 hours. Tickets cost €85–250 and the journey takes 3h 40m. Two other operators also service this route. Alternatively, GrandBus operates a bus from Basel, Bahnhof to Köln once daily, and the journey takes 5h 53m.

Airlines

Train operators

Bus operators

Other operators

Want to know more about travelling around Germany

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.