Lowest Prices
We partner with the top bus & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Trip Summary
You can pick from 70 daily train trips between Heilbronn and Cologne. The average train journey from Heilbronn to Cologne takes 4 hours and 13 minutes, but some Deutsche Bahn train trips are as short as 2 hours and 57 minutes.
| Distance | 159 mi (256 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 57m |
| Lowest price | $34.85 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn |
| Train lines | 5 |
Which train should you take from Heilbronn to Cologne?
There are 5 train lines with service from Heilbronn to Cologne. Deutsche Bahn is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 67 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Eurocity | 1 | 4h 11m | $81.51 |
| DB Intercity | 1 | 2h 58m | $100.47 |
| DB Intercity-Express | 5 | 3h 33m | $104.97 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 67 | 4h 15m | $92.93 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 10 | 4h 20m | $72.84 |
Deutsche Bahn IC is the German railway's long-distance train service provider with service across Germany and neighboring countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, and Poland. Onboard amenities include restrooms, power outlets, and a restaurant car where passengers can purchase drinks, snacks, and meals.
The most popular Deutsche Bahn ICE routes travel to Berlin, Cologne, Paris, and Munich. Seating is spacious with a good amount of legroom, and onboard amenities include complimentary WiFi, restrooms, and a restaurant car selling beverages, snacks, sandwiches, and hot meals. Unlike the rest of the Deutsche Bahn network, ticket prices on Deutsche Bahn ICE services are not based on a per-kilometer rate but on specific station-to-station links.
Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company train tickets from Heilbronn to Cologne start from $63, and on average cost . Daily there are 10 Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company schedules to Cologne. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company in Heilbronn leaves from Böckingen West and 5 other stations. And in Cologne trains arrive at Central Station and one other train station.
From Heilbronn to Cologne train travel on Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company takes 4 hours and 20 minutes. If you are looking to get to Cologne faster, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 57 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers 21 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Cologne.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trains from Heilbronn to Cologne are the most crowded on Monday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Heilbronn at 12:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 70 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Cologne to Heilbronn.
City Information
Heilbronn
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Heilbronn is a scenic city in the northern Baden-Württemberg region of Germany. Boasting a robust wine industry and many interesting local landmarks, the city is a great stop to enjoy when in Germany. One of the most popular local attractions is the local Rathaus, or City Hall, which features a large golden clock.
Head just outside the city to discover some of Heilbronn's best vineyards. Weingut Drautz, Albrecht-Kiessling Weingut, and Weingut Kistenmacher & Hengerer are located on the hills east of the city, and offer gorgeous, sweeping views of hillsides, valleys, and Heilbronn below. Pfühlpark is also in the area east of the city, a large park that offers excellent walking trails and even the famous Trappensee: a small lake with a castle built on it.
Heilbronn is connected to Germany's Deutsche Bahn train network, so you can easily reach the city from Munich, Berlin, Essen, or other major cities. Intercity bus transportation also offers affordable travel to Heilbronn, with options including FlixBus and Sindbad.
Cologne
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Pixabay
There's no shortage of sights, culture, history, and adventure in Cologne, an alluring city on the Rhine. One of the most famous landmarks of the city is the Cologne Cathedral. This Gothic building and UNESCO World Heritage site remains the most iconic structure in the city. In fact, the Cologne Cathedral is the most visited landmark in Germany. Next door, the Museum Ludwig contrasts the cathedral's sense of history with an impressive collection of modern art, including works by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.
Cologne's breadth of museums also caters to a younger crowd. Families with children should head to the Cologne Chocolate Museum along the river or the Cologne Zoological Garden for memorable, kid-friendly experiences.
Foodies, rejoice! Cologne is home to mouthwatering German delicacies and upscale restaurants. Start your day with breakfast at Café Sehnsucht. For lunch, visit Herings Im Martinswinkel, and for dinner, head over to Bei Oma Kleinmann to feel like you're visiting your long-lost German grandmother.
Trains like Deutsche Bahn, DB Intercity, and FlixTrain connect Cologne to other major European cities, including Munich, Paris, and Vienna. You can also catch a bus from Cologne on FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, Sindbad, Union Ivkoni, or Columbuzz. Plus, the Cologne Bonn Airport is a large, well-outfitted airport with daily international flights for travelers coming from afar.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Heilbronn?
Main departure station: Böckingen West
Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 6 stops and stations in Heilbronn where you can board the train.
All train stations in Heilbronn:
Böckingen West
Train Station
Heilbronn Pfühlpark
Heilbronn Trappensee
Heilbronn Kaufland
Heilbronn Hans-Rießer-Straße
Where is the train station in Cologne?
Image credit: Magnus Hagdorn
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Central Station
Cologne Central Station is, unsurprisingly, the central station and main transport hub of Cologne. Multiple nationwide and regional trains stop here and connect to other routes. Thalys and Deutsche Bahn ICE provide service to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and many more. Inside the station, you can kill some time perusing souvenir shops and grab a meal at one of the restaurants- or skip straight to desert at one of the multiple bakeries available. There's even a shop for clothes and a bank in the building. Once outside, you'll be in the center of Cologne, so there are plenty of attractions and restaurants nearby.
Train stations in Cologne:
Central Station
Köln Messe/Deutz Gl.11-12
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Cologne to Heilbronn?
Search Train Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more