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There are 7 ways to get from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne by train, bus, night train, rideshare, car 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.

Recommended option

Train  •  1h 5m

  1. Take the train from Frankfurt(Main)Hbf to Köln Hbf 79 / ...

Cheapest option

Rideshare  •  2h 12m

  1. Take the rideshare from Frankfurt to Cologne 189.2 km

5 alternative options

Bus  •  2h 35m

  1. Take the bus from Frankfurt central train station to Cologne Airport CGN N61 / ...

Train via Koblenz  •  3h 37m

  1. Take the train from Frankfurt(Main)Hbf to Koblenz Stadtmitte Re / ...
  2. Take the train from Koblenz Stadtmitte to Koeln Sued Re / ...

Night train  •  2h 40m

  1. Take the night train from Frankfurt(Main)Hbf to Köln Messe/Deutz Bf 43 / ...

Drive  •  1h 44m

  1. Drive from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne 190 km

Fly, train  •  3h 12m

  1. Fly from Frankfurt (FRA) to Dusseldorf (DUS) FRA - DUS
  2. Take the train from Duesseldorf Flughafen to Koeln Hbf

Frankfurt am Main to Cologne by train

The train journey time between Frankfurt am Main and Cologne is around 1h 5m and covers a distance of around 180 km. Operated by Deutsche Bahn Intercity-Express, the Frankfurt am Main to Cologne train service departs from Frankfurt(Main)Hbf and arrives in Köln Hbf. Typically 89 trains run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance.

89 Weekly Trains
1h 5m Average Duration
€30 Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

The most affordable way to get from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne is to rideshare, which costs €6 - €17 and takes 2h 12m.

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The quickest way to get from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne is to train which costs €30 - €45 and takes 1h 5m.

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Yes, there is a direct train departing from Frankfurt(Main)Hbf and arriving at Köln Hbf. Services depart hourly, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 1h 5m.

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The distance between Frankfurt am Main and Cologne is 153 km. The road distance is 190 km.

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The best way to get from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne without a car is to train which takes 1h 5m and costs €30 - €45.

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The train from Frankfurt(Main)Hbf to Köln Hbf takes 1h 5m including transfers and departs hourly.

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Frankfurt am Main to Cologne train services, operated by Deutsche Bahn Intercity-Express, depart from Frankfurt(Main)Hbf station.

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The best way to get from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne is to train which takes 1h 5m and costs €30 - €45. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €19 - €30 and takes 2h 35m.

Mode details

The quickest flight from Frankfurt Airport to Dusseldorf Airport is the direct flight which takes 45 min.

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Frankfurt am Main to Cologne train services, operated by Deutsche Bahn Intercity-Express, arrive at Köln Hbf station.

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Map of how to get from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne.
Launch map view
  • Distance: 152.6 km
  • Duration: 1h 5m

What companies run services between Frankfurt am Main, Germany and Cologne, Germany?

Deutsche Bahn Intercity-Express operates a train from Frankfurt(Main)Hbf to Köln Hbf hourly. Tickets cost €30 - €45 and the journey takes 1h 5m. Alternatively, FlixBus operates a bus from Frankfurt central train station to Cologne Airport CGN every 3 hours. Tickets cost €15 - €22 and the journey takes 2h 5m.

Airlines
Lufthansa
Website
lufthansa.com
Flights from Frankfurt to Dusseldorf
Ave. Duration
45 min
When
Every day
Estimated price
€100 - €320
Train operators
Deutsche Bahn Intercity-Express
Phone
+49 0180 6 99 66 33
Website
bahn.com
Train from Frankfurt(Main)Hbf to Köln Hbf
Ave. Duration
1h 5m
Frequency
Hourly
Estimated price
€30 - €45
Website
https://www.bahn.com/en
Night train from Frankfurt(Main)Hbf to Köln Messe/Deutz Bf
Ave. Duration
2h 40m
Frequency
3 times a day
Estimated price
€35 - €50
Website
https://www.bahn.com/en
Train from D-Flughafen Bf to Köln Hbf
Ave. Duration
32 min
Frequency
3 times a day
Estimated price
€22 - €30
Website
https://www.bahn.com/en
VIAS Rail GmbH
National Express
Phone
0221 13 999 444
Website
nationalexpress.de
Train from Koblenz Stadtmitte to Koeln Sued
Ave. Duration
1h 3m
Frequency
Hourly
Estimated price
€16 - €23
Schedules at
nationalexpress.de
Train from Duesseldorf Flughafen to Koeln Hbf
Ave. Duration
55 min
Frequency
Every 20 minutes
Estimated price
€11 - €16
Schedules at
nationalexpress.de
TRANS REGIO Deutsche Regionalbahn GmbH
Phone
+49-261-98887070
Email
service@trans-regio.de
Website
mittelrheinbahn.de
Train from Koblenz Bahnhof Stadtmitte/Löhr-Center to Köln Süd Bf
Ave. Duration
1h 22m
Frequency
Hourly
Estimated price
€16 - €23
Website
TRANS REGIO Deutsche Regionalbahn GmbH
Nightjet
Phone
+43 51717
Website
nightjet.com
Night train from Frankfurt(Main)Sued to Koeln Hbf
Ave. Duration
3h 4m
Frequency
3 times a day
Estimated price
€26 - €200
Website
https://www.nightjet.com/en/#/home
Sleeper Carriage
€140 - €200
Couchette Carriage
€75 - €110
Seating Carriage
€26 - €40
Thalys
Phone
+32 70 66 77 88
Website
thalys.com
Train from Duesseldorf Flughafen to Koeln Hbf
Ave. Duration
38 min
Frequency
Once daily
Estimated price
€26 - €60
Website
https://www.thalys.com/fr/en
Standard
€26 - €40
Comfort
€28 - €40
Premium
€45 - €60
Bus operators
FlixBus
Rome2Rio's guide to FlixBus
Contact Details
Phone
+49 30 300 137 300
Email
service@flixbus.com
Website
flixbus.de
Bus from Frankfurt central train station to Cologne Airport CGN
Ave. Duration
2h 5m
Frequency
Every 3 hours
Estimated price
€15 - €22
Website
https://www.flixbus.co.uk
Book at
https://shop.global.flixbus.com/
Frequently asked questions
Is there Wi-Fi on FlixBus?
Yes - FlixBus offers free Wi-Fi
Are there power outlets on FlixBus?
Yes
Does FlixBus offer meals or snacks?
Yes - snacks and drinks may be purchased from the driver. Please note, this is not available on all services.
For more information, please visit this page
Other operators
BlaBlaCar
Phone
+3 318 576 2228
Website
blablacar.com
Rideshare from Frankfurt to Cologne
Ave. Duration
2h 12m
Frequency
Every 30 minutes
Estimated price
€6 - €17
Book at
blablacar.co.uk

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.

More Questions & Answers

Yes, the driving distance between Frankfurt am Main to Cologne is 190 km. It takes approximately 1h 44m to drive from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne.

Get driving directions

Lufthansa offers flights from Frankfurt Airport to Dusseldorf Airport.

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Book your Frankfurt am Main to Cologne train tickets online with Omio.

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There are 1147+ hotels available in Cologne. Prices start at €30 per night.

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

Read Rome2Rio's guide to Blablacar

The best way to get from Frankfurt am Main to Frankfurt Airport is to train which takes 15 min and costs €4 - €6.

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