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

The cheapest way to get from Cologne to Basel is to rideshare which costs SFr 29 and takes 5h 49m.

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

The fastest way to get from Cologne to Basel is to train and fly which takes 3h 8m and costs SFr 130 - SFr 390.

Is there a direct bus between Cologne and Basel?

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

Is there a direct train between Cologne and Basel?

Yes, there is a direct train departing from Köln Hbf and arriving at Basel Bad Bf. Services depart every three hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 3h 42m.

How far is it from Cologne to Basel?

The distance between Cologne and Basel is 489 km. The road distance is 490.1 km.

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

The best way to get from Cologne to Basel without a car is to train which takes 3h 42m and costs SFr 50 - SFr 230.

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

The train from Köln Hbf to Basel Bad Bf takes 3h 42m including transfers and departs every three hours.

Where do I catch the Cologne to Basel bus from?

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

Where do I catch the Cologne to Basel train from?

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

Train, bus or fly from Cologne to Basel?

The best way to get from Cologne to Basel is to train which takes 3h 42m and costs SFr 50 - SFr 230. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs and takes 5h 53m, you could also fly, which costs SFr 150 - SFr 300 and takes 6h 28m.

Where does the Cologne to Basel bus arrive?

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

Where does the Cologne to Basel train arrive?

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

Can I drive from Cologne to Basel?

Yes, the driving distance between Cologne to Basel is 490 km. It takes approximately 4h 8m to drive from Cologne to Basel.

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

Book your Cologne to Basel train tickets online with Omio.

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

Book your Cologne to Basel bus tickets online with Omio.

Where can I stay near Basel?

There are 1337+ hotels available in Basel.

Can I share a ride from Cologne to Basel?

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

Cologne to Basel - 11 ways to travel via train, bus, night train, and car

There are 11 ways to get from Cologne to Basel 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 Köln Hbf to Basel Bad Bftrain 43
3h 42m
CHF 50–230
Rideshare
cheapest
1. Take the rideshare from Cologne to Baselrideshare 489.8 km
5h 49m
CHF 29
Bus
1. Take the bus from Köln to Basel, Bahnhofbus Ivano-Frankivsk
5h 53m
Night train
1. Take the night train from Koeln Hbf to Basel Bad Bfnighttrain Nj
6h 18m
CHF 30–110
Drive 490.1 km
1. Drive from Cologne to Baselcar 490.1 km
4h 8m
CHF 80–116
Train via Mannheim
1. Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Mannheim, Hauptbahnhoftrain 47 / ...
2. Take the train from Mannheim, Hauptbahnhof to Basel Bad Bftrain 12 / ...
3h 49m
CHF 65–228
Train to Frankfurt, fly to Basel
1. Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Frankfurttrain
2. Fly from Frankfurt (FRA) to Basel (BSL)plane FRA - BSL
3h 8m
CHF 130–390
Fly Cologne Bonn Airport to Basel
1. Fly from Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Basel (BSL)plane CGN - BSL
6h 28m
CHF 156–291
Train to Frankfurt, fly to Zurich Airport, train
1. Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Frankfurttrain
2. Fly from Frankfurt (FRA) to Zurich Airport (ZRH)plane FRA - ZRH
3. Take the train from Zürich HB to Basel SBBtrain
4h 21m
CHF 135–391
Fly Cologne Bonn Airport to Zurich Airport, train
1. Fly from Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Zurich Airport (ZRH)plane CGN - ZRH
2. Take the train from Zürich HB to Basel SBBtrain
4h 56m
CHF 101–292
Train to Düsseldorf International Airport, fly to Zurich Airport, train
1. Take the train from Köln Hbf to D-Flughafen Bftrain
2. Fly from Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) to Zurich Airport (ZRH)plane DUS - ZRH
3. Take the train from Zürich HB to Basel SBBtrain
5h 21m
CHF 108–320

Cologne to Basel by train

80Weekly Trains

3h 42mAverage Duration

CHF 50Cheapest Price

See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Cologne to Basel.

Launch map view

Distance: 488.7 km
Duration: 3h 42m

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

Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) operates a train from Köln Hbf to Basel Bad Bf every 3 hours. Tickets cost CHF 80–230 and the journey takes 3h 42m. Two other operators also service this route. Alternatively, GrandBus operates a bus from Köln to Basel, Bahnhof once daily, and the journey takes 5h 53m.

Airlines

Train operators

Bus operators

Other operators

Want to know more about travelling around Switzerland

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.