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Trip Summary
52 trains operate daily from Ulm to Cologne. The train trip from Ulm to Cologne is usually about 4 hours and 6 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest DB Intercity-Express train can get you there in as little as 3 hours and 2 minutes.
| Distance | 221 mi (356 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 2m |
| Lowest price | £58.28 |
| Trains per day | 17 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company |
| Train lines | 5 |
Which train should you take from Ulm to Cologne?
There are 5 train lines with service from Ulm to Cologne. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 29 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Eurocity | 1 | 4h 40m | £58.26 |
| DB Intercity | 1 | 4h 41m | £37.66 |
| DB Intercity-Express | 15 | 3h 36m | £59.14 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 31 | 4h 23m | £56.23 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 29 | 4h 11m | £59.96 |
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 Ulm to Cologne start from £17, and on average cost . Daily there are 29 Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company schedules to Cologne. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company in Ulm leaves from Ulm-Söflingen and 3 other stations. And in Cologne trains arrive at Central Station and one other train station.
From Ulm to Cologne train travel on Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company takes 4 hours and 11 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 3 hours and 2 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Ulm and Cologne is approximately 221 miles, or 356 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 6 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 2 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 from Ulm to Cologne are the most crowded on Saturday. 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 Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Ulm 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 52 scheduled trains on most days. 17 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 Ulm.
City Information
Ulm
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Pixabay
Ulm boasts a rich history dating back to the 9th century, making it one of the best cities to explore Germany's past. Its most notable landmark is Ulm Minster, a Gothic church with the tallest steeple in the world. From the church, amble south into the Fischerviertel, a quarter blessed with cobblestone streets, picturesque footbridges, and charming cafes.
Ulm is the birthplace of the world-famous scientist Albert Einstein, and the site of his former home now preserves his legacy with the Albert Einstein Memorial. The sculptural memorial is a bit abstract, so you could also cross to the other side of the city to see Einstein Brunnen. This bizarre fountain has a sculpture of Einstein's head sticking out of it, with his tongue sticking out of his mouth.
You don't need to be an Einstein to figure out how to get to Ulm. Numerous coach companies provide routes to Ulm from cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, Krakow, and Paris. The German train network, Deutsche Bahn, also connects Ulm to various destinations by rail.
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 Ulm?
Main departure station: Train Station
Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 4 stops and stations in Ulm where you can board the train.
All train stations in Ulm:
Train Station
Ulm-Donautal
Ulm-Söflingen
Ulm Ost
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 Ulm?
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