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 - €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 49m and costs €90 - €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 SBB and arriving at Köln Hbf. Services depart every three hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 3h 49m.

How far is it from Basel to Cologne?

The distance between Basel and Cologne is 493 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 49m and costs €90 - €550.

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

The train from Basel SBB to Köln Hbf takes 3h 49m 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 SBB station.

Train, bus or fly from Basel to Cologne?

The best way to get from Basel to Cologne is to train which takes 3h 49m and costs €90 - €550. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs and takes 5h 53m, you could also fly, which costs €100 - €320 and takes 6h.

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 1843+ 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

How to get fromBasel to Cologne

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There are 12 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 SBB to Köln Hbftrain 43 / ...
3h 49m
€90–550
Rideshare
cheapest
1. Take the rideshare from Basel to Colognerideshare 490.4 km
4h 57m
€24–35
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 Hbfnighttrain Nj
6h 17m
€30–103
Drive 490.5 km
1. Drive from Basel to Colognecar 490.5 km
4h 10m
€86–124
Train via Mannheim
1. Take the train from Basel Bad Bf to Mannheim, Hauptbahnhoftrain 12 / ...
2. Take the train from Mannheim, Hauptbahnhof to Köln Messe/Deutz Bftrain 47 / ...
3h 55m
€86–366
Train via Bonn Hbf
1. Take the train from Basel SBB to Bonn Hbftrain 43N
7h 5m
€100–393
Fly Basel to Düsseldorf International Airport
1. Fly from Basel (BSL) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane BSL - DUS
6h
€108–317
Fly Basel to Cologne Bonn Airport
1. Fly from Basel (BSL) to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)plane BSL - CGN
6h 27m
€60–256
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 56m
€113–311
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 21m
€143–424
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 34m
€116–342

Basel to Cologne by train

77Weekly Trains

3h 49mAverage Duration

€90Cheapest Price

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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Basel to Cologne.

Launch map view

Distance: 493.3 km
Duration: 3h 49m

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

Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) operates a train from Basel SBB to Köln Hbf every 3 hours. Tickets cost €90–370 and the journey takes 3h 49m. 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.

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