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

The cheapest way to get from Cologne to Dresden is to rideshare which costs €19 - €40 and takes 5h 58m.

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

The fastest way to get from Cologne to Dresden is to train and fly which takes 3h 10m and costs €160 - €450.

Is there a direct bus between Cologne and Dresden?

Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Köln and arriving at Dresden. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 17h 28m.

Is there a direct train between Cologne and Dresden?

No, there is no direct train from Cologne to Dresden. However, there are services departing from Koeln Hbf and arriving at Dresden-Neustadt via Frankfurt(Main)Hbf and Berlin Südkreuz. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 23m.

How far is it from Cologne to Dresden?

The distance between Cologne and Dresden is 857 km. The road distance is 567.7 km.

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

The best way to get from Cologne to Dresden without a car is to train via Berlin which takes 8h 23m and costs €140 - €380.

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

It takes approximately 8h 23m to get from Cologne to Dresden, including transfers.

Where do I catch the Cologne to Dresden bus from?

Cologne to Dresden bus services, operated by OrionBus, depart from Köln-Ehrenfeld Gleis station.

Where do I catch the Cologne to Dresden train from?

Cologne to Dresden train services, operated by Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), depart from Koeln Hbf station.

Train, bus or fly from Cologne to Dresden?

The best way to get from Cologne to Dresden is to train via Berlin which takes 8h 23m and costs €140 - €380. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €40 - €70 and takes 9h 29m, you could also fly, which costs €210 - €480 and takes 5h 19m.

Where does the Cologne to Dresden bus arrive?

Cologne to Dresden bus services, operated by OrionBus, arrive at Masurenallee - Berlin station.

Where does the Cologne to Dresden train arrive?

Cologne to Dresden train services, operated by Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), arrive at Frankfurt(Main)Hbf station.

Can I drive from Cologne to Dresden?

Yes, the driving distance between Cologne to Dresden is 568 km. It takes approximately 4h 53m to drive from Cologne to Dresden.

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

Book your Cologne to Dresden train tickets online with Omio.

Where can I stay near Dresden?

There are 735+ hotels available in Dresden.

Can I share a ride from Cologne to Dresden?

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

Cologne to Dresden - 11 ways to travel via train, bus, car, plane

There are 11 ways to get from Cologne to Dresden by train, bus, car, plane, or rideshare

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

Train via Berlin
best
1. Take the train from Koeln Hbf to Frankfurt(Main)Hbftrain Ice
2. Take the train from Frankfurt(Main)Hbf to Berlin Suedkreuztrain Ice
3. Take the train from Berlin Südkreuz to Dresden-Neustadttrain Rj
8h 23m
€144–373
Rideshare
cheapest
1. Take the rideshare from Cologne to Dresdenrideshare 567 km
5h 58m
€19–40
Bus
1. Take the bus from Leverkusen to Dresden central stationbus N20 / ...
9h 29m
€40–70
Drive 567.7 km
1. Drive from Cologne to Dresdencar 567.7 km
4h 53m
€81–116
Fly Cologne Bonn Airport to Dresden Airport
1. Fly from Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Dresden Airport (DRS)plane CGN - DRS
5h 19m
€217–474
Train
1. Take the train from Koeln Hbf to Frankfurt(Main)Hbftrain Ice
2. Take the train from Frankfurt(Main)Sued to Dresden Hbftrain Ec
9h 39m
€121–271
Bus via Berlin
1. Take the bus from Köln-Ehrenfeld Gleis to Masurenallee - Berlinbus Mykolayiv
2. Take the bus from Berlin, Zentralen Omnibusbahnhof to Dresden central stationbus N70 / ...
10h
Bus #2
1. Take the bus from Köln to Dresdenbus Ivano-Frankivsk
17h 28m
Train to Frankfurt, fly to Dresden Airport
1. Take the train from Koeln Hbf to Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbftrain
2. Fly from Frankfurt (FRA) to Dresden Airport (DRS)plane FRA - DRS
3h 10m
€168–443
Train to Düsseldorf International Airport, fly to Dresden Airport
1. Take the train from Koeln Hbf to Duesseldorf Hbftrain
2. Fly from Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) to Dresden Airport (DRS)plane DUS - DRS
4h
€118–401
Fly Cologne Bonn Airport to Berlin Brandenburg Airport, bus
1. Fly from Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)plane CGN - BER
2. Take the bus from Berlin Airport BER to Dresden central stationbus
5h 30m
€71–211

Cologne to Dresden by train

7Weekly Trains

8h 23mAverage Duration

€144Cheapest Price

See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Cologne to Dresden.

Launch map view

Distance: 857.2 km
Duration: 8h 23m

What companies run services between Cologne, Germany and Dresden, Germany?

You can take a train from Koeln Hbf to Dresden-Neustadt via Frankfurt(Main)Hbf and Berlin Südkreuz in around 8h 23m. Alternatively, FlixBus operates a bus from Leverkusen to Dresden central station 4 times a day. Tickets cost €40–70 and the journey takes 8h 15m.

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