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Trip Summary
There are 13 daily trains from Vienna to Cologne. Traveling by train from Vienna to Cologne usually takes around 10 hours and 9 minutes, but the fastest DB Intercity-Express train can make the trip in 7 hours and 51 minutes.
| Distance | 462 mi (743 km) |
| Fastest train | 7h 51m |
| Lowest price | £51.33 |
| Trains per day | 4 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn |
| Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Vienna to Cologne?
There are 4 train lines with service from Vienna to Cologne. Deutsche Bahn is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 5 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Eurocity | 1 | 10h 33m | £77.04 |
| DB Intercity-Express | 3 | 8h 43m | £172.82 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 5 | 9h 45m | £151.57 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 6 | 11h 55m | £108.15 |
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 Vienna to Cologne start from £77, and on average cost . Daily there are 6 Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company schedules to Cologne. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company in Vienna leaves from Wien Hbf and one other station. And in Cologne trains arrive at Central Station and one other train station.
From Vienna to Cologne train travel on Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company takes 11 hours and 55 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 7 hours and 51 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Vienna and Cologne is approximately 462 miles, or 743 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 10 hours and 9 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 51 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Trains departing from Vienna to Cologne tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Saturday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Vienna at 00:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 23:00. 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 13 scheduled trains on most days. 4 of these are direct connections to Cologne. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Cologne to Vienna.
City Information
Vienna
Blessed with extravagant baroque structures and a romantic vibe, Vienna is the heart of Austria, and the country’s most famous destination. The pride of Vienna is the towering giant that is St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which has stood on the same spot for over eight centuries. The characteristically Gothic cathedral has withstood several wars that have befallen the city, and it is still able to keep its stunning beauty. After exploring the cathedral, don’t hesitate to take the chance to visit the catacombs, where victims of the Great Plague of Vienna were laid to rest. If you’re interested in art and history, check out the Museum of Fine Arts, which includes masterpieces by artists such as Titian, Velasquez, Van Dyke, and Reubens. For those who simply enjoy lounging around, the Schönbrunn Palace is a vast complex with plenty of green zones for picnics.
For those looking to try authentic Viennese goulash, Lugeck and Ofenloch are two famous establishments. For cheaper eats, try Motto in Weiden.
Vienna Hauptbahnhof is the main railway station in the city, offering access to other popular destinations such as Berlin and Munich. Vienna International Busterminal is the main bus station in the Austrian capital, serving carriers such as FlixBus. The city’s main airport is the Vienna International Airport, which is located just 11 miles southeast of the city.
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 coach 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 Vienna?
Image credit: Jacek Ruzyczka
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Wien Hbf
Wien Hauptbahnhof is the central station in Vienna, located in the Favoriten district. The station is a relatively new addition to the city and is thus completely modern. The station features 12 platforms and 20 tracks for use by RailJet and Deutsche Bahn trains, among others. Local connections include bus lines and Vienna's subway, the U-Bahn. The station's main hall contains shops, food stalls, restrooms, and free WiFi in some areas.
All train stations in Vienna:
Wien Hbf
Aspern Nord
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
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Need a return trip from Cologne to Vienna?
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