Travel Options: Berlin To Cologne, Best Methods

There are several ways to travel from Berlin to Cologne, including by train, bus, plane, or car. The best option for you will depend on your budget and time constraints.

Travelling by train is a popular option, with direct routes taking around 4-5 hours and costing between $12 and $180. Alternatively, you can take a direct bus, which takes around 8-12 hours and costs between $20 and $70.

If you're looking for a faster option, flying is the quickest way to travel between the two cities, with flight times of just over an hour. However, flights can be more expensive, with prices ranging from $53 to $260.

Finally, if you prefer to drive, the distance between Berlin and Cologne is around 350 miles, and the journey will take approximately 5-6 hours.

Berlin to Cologne by train

Overview

The train is the best way to travel from Berlin to Cologne. It's a fast, comfortable, and affordable option, with tickets starting at €14.49. The journey takes around 4-5 hours, and there are multiple trains running throughout the day.

Tickets and Booking

You can book your train tickets online or through a mobile app. It's recommended to book in advance to secure the best prices. The average ticket price is around €67, but you can find tickets for as low as €44 if you book early.

Train Stations

Trains from Berlin to Cologne depart from Berlin Hauptbahnhof and arrive at either Köln Hauptbahnhof or Köln Messe/Deutz train station. Make sure to arrive at the train station at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

Train Providers

Several train providers offer services from Berlin to Cologne, including Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, and ÖBB | Nightjet. FlixTrain provides amenities such as free Wi-Fi, guaranteed seating, private outlets, and restrooms.

Luggage and Bikes

When travelling by train, you can bring one carry-on bag and one checked bag for free. If you need to bring additional luggage or a bike, you may need to reserve a slot or purchase additional tickets.

Onboard Services

Some trains offer various onboard services, such as dining options, reclining seats, extra legroom, and baggage compartments. You can also take advantage of high-speed train options, such as the Intercity Express (ICE), to reduce your travel time.

Berlin to Cologne by plane

Flying from Berlin to Cologne is a quick and convenient option, with several airlines offering direct flights between the two cities. The flight time is just over an hour, making it the fastest way to travel between the two cities.

Airlines

Eurowings and Lufthansa are two popular options for this route, with Eurowings offering the most monthly flights between Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN). Other airlines that operate this route include FlexFlight, Qatar Airways, and China Airlines.

Pricing

Prices for flights can vary, but you can often find good deals with budget airlines such as Ryanair and Eurowings. One-way flights can be as low as $40, and round-trip flights can be found for around $87. It's always a good idea to book in advance, as last-minute flights tend to be more expensive.

Airports

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is the main airport serving Berlin, and it is located just outside the city centre. Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is the airport serving Cologne, and it is located about 14 km from the city centre.

Getting to/from the Airports

Both Berlin Brandenburg Airport and Cologne Bonn Airport are well-connected to their respective city centres. In Berlin, you can take a train, bus, or taxi to the airport. From Cologne, you can get to the airport by taxi, which takes about 30 minutes, or by public transport.

Advantages

Flying is the fastest way to travel between Berlin and Cologne, and it can often be more affordable than other options, especially if you book with a budget airline. It is a good option for those who want to save time and get to their destination quickly.

Disadvantages

One potential disadvantage of flying is that you may need to account for additional time and cost for travelling to/from the airports, especially if you are not located near them. Additionally, there may be delays or cancellations, which could impact your travel plans.

Overall

Flying is a great option for those who want a quick and affordable way to get from Berlin to Cologne. With several airlines offering direct flights and competitive pricing, it is a convenient and efficient choice for travellers.

Berlin to Cologne by bus

There are several bus options for travelling from Berlin to Cologne. The journey takes between 8 and 12 hours, with some journeys requiring a change. The price of a bus ticket ranges from €15.99 to €106.

Bus Stations

Berlin has nine bus stations:

• Berlin (Ostbahnhof)
• Berlin Alexanderplatz
• Berlin Alt-Tegel (metro station)
• Berlin Central Station (Invalidenstraße)
• Berlin S-Treptower Park (Puschkinallee)
• Berlin Südkreuz train station
• Berlin Wannsee (Wannsee station)
• Berlin central bus station
• Berlin zoo train station

Cologne has three bus stations:

• Cologne Airport CGN (Terminal 2)
• Leverkusen Mitte station
• Cologne East (Bergisch Gladbach, Refrath)

Bus Companies

FlixBus is the main operator for this route. Their buses include comfortable seats, a toilet, Wi-Fi, and power outlets.

Tickets

You can buy tickets online or via the FlixBus app. You don't need to print your ticket if you purchased it online—simply show the driver the QR code.

Luggage

Passengers travelling from Berlin to Cologne can bring one checked bag and one piece of hand luggage for free. There is a fee for additional or special luggage, and for bringing a bike.

Berlin to Cologne Journey Information

The shortest travel distance between Berlin and Cologne is 467km to 575km, depending on the route. The fastest bus journey is 8 hours and 10 minutes, and the longest is 9 hours and 20 minutes.

Night Buses

There are seven night buses from Berlin to Cologne, with the earliest departing at 22:15 and the latest at 23:00. These buses arrive in Cologne between 07:35 and 08:05 the following day.

Berlin to Cologne by car

The road distance between Berlin and Cologne is approximately 350 miles, and the drive will take around 5 hours and 14 minutes. The route offers a mix of big and small cities, museums, palaces, castles, and even a Baltic beach.

Route Options

There are a few route options for this journey:

• Via motorway A2
• Via A38 (37 minutes longer but more scenic)
• Via A44, A7, and A2 (a few minutes faster than the A38 but usually more traffic)

Places to Stop

• Dusseldorf: The state capital of North Rhine, Dusseldorf is a great place for high-end shopping. It offers a range of sights, including the Heinrich-Heine-Institut, the Kunstammlug Nordrhein-Wesfalen (art museum), and the Neanderthal Museum. The Altstadt neighbourhood is known for its vibrant nightlife, with over 300 restaurants and taverns.
• Munster: A small city with a rich 1,200-year history and a large student population. Must-see attractions include the St-Paulus Cathedral, the Prinzipalmarkt, the Church of St. Lamberti, and the Mühlenhof.
• Osnabruck: A youthful city with a large student population. Notable attractions include the Felix Nussbaum Haus, the Museum Industriekultur, and the Kulturgeschichtliches Museum Osnabruck.
• Bremen: Located on the Fairytale Road, Bremen is a charming city with a historic old town. Visit the Marktplatz, the St. Petri Dom, and the Roselius-Haus for German and Dutch art.
• Hamburg: Known as "the gateway to the world", Hamburg offers a vibrant harbour district, renowned art museums, and excellent shopping. Reeperbahn is the city's red-light district with wild nightlife.
• Rostock: Once the largest shipbuilding centre in East Germany, Rostock is near the Baltic Coast. Check out the Schifffahrtsmuseum, the Zoologischer Garten, and the pedestrian-only shopping street Kröpelinerstrasse.
• Potsdam: Known for its 18th-century baroque architecture, Potsdam is home to the Brandenburger Gate, Dampfmaschinehaus, and Heilandskirche Sacrow. Don't miss Schloss Sanssouci, the summer residence of Prussia's King Frederick the Great.

Berlin to Cologne by rideshare

Ridesharing is a great option for travelling from Berlin to Cologne on a budget. It is the cheapest way to make the journey, with prices ranging from $22-40, or €22-40, depending on which direction you are travelling. The journey takes around 6 hours, which makes it faster than travelling by bus, but slower than flying or taking the train.

How to Book

You can book your rideshare journey through Blablacar, a carpooling service that allows you to share rides with other people travelling between the same cities.

Advantages

Ridesharing is a good option if you don't have a driver's license, or if you want to avoid public transport. It is also a more environmentally friendly way to travel than flying.

Disadvantages

Ridesharing will usually take longer than other methods of transport, and it may be more difficult to book at short notice. You will also be travelling with other people, so you may not have as much privacy as you would on a train or a plane.

Frequently asked questions