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 €25 - €35 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 - €290.

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 three 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 - €290.

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 three 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 - €290. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €48 - €52 and takes 5h 53m, you could also fly, which costs €100 - €320 and takes 6h 4m.

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 491 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 1842+ 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 - 13 ways to travel via train, bus, night train, and car

How to get fromBasel to Cologne

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There are 13 ways to get from Basel to Cologne by train, bus, night train, car, train (Trenitalia), 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 43N / ...
3h 40m
€85–290
Rideshare
cheapest
1. Take the rideshare from Basel to Colognerideshare 490.5 km
4h 57m
€25–35
Bus
1. Take the bus from Basel, Bahnhof to Kölnbus Ivano-Frankivsk
5h 53m
€48–52
Night train
1. Take the nighttrain from Basel Bad Bf to Koeln Hbfnighttrain Nj
6h 17m
€30–103
Drive 490.5 km
1. Drive from Basel to Colognecar 490.5 km
4h 10m
€89–128
Train via Mannheim
1. Take the train from Basel Bad Bf to Mannheim, Hauptbahnhoftrain 12 / ...
2. Take the train from Mannheim, Hauptbahnhof to Köln Hbftrain 42 / ...
3h 59m
€84–193
Train via Bonn Hbf
1. Take the train from Basel SBB to Bonn Hbftrain 43N
7h
€95–200
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
4h 57m
€113–273
Fly Basel to Düsseldorf International Airport
1. Fly from Basel (BSL) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane BSL - DUS
6h 4m
€108–316
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 33m
€121–323
Train to Zurich Airport, fly to Frankfurt, train
1. Take the train from Basel SBB to Zürich HBtrain
2. Fly from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Frankfurt (FRA)plane ZRH - FRA
3. Take the train from Frankfurt to Köln Messe/Deutz Bftrain
5h 9m
€160–346
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 24m
€156–282
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
5h 5m
€152–429

Basel to Cologne by train

72Weekly Trains

3h 40mAverage Duration

€85Cheapest Price

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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Basel to Cologne.

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Distance: 488.8 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 4 hours. Tickets cost €85–190 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. Tickets cost €48–52 and the journey takes 5h 53m.

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