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Trip Summary
There are 44 daily trains from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne. Traveling by train from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne usually takes around one hour and 56 minutes, but the fastest DB Intercity-Express train can make the trip in 48 minutes.
| Distance | 95 mi (153 km) |
| Fastest train | 0h 48m |
| Lowest price | US$15.87 |
| Trains per day | 52 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn |
| Train lines | 5 |
Train service from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne
- DB Intercity tickets: US$16 one-way
- DB Intercity-Express tickets: US$16 one-way
- Deutsche Bahn tickets: US$16 one-way
- Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company tickets: US$19 one-way
- Non-federally owned railway company tickets: US$47 one-way
Which train should you take from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne?
There are 5 train lines with service from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne. Deutsche Bahn is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 37 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Intercity | 2 | 2h 22m | US$17.15 |
| DB Intercity-Express | 7 | 1h 27m | US$38.94 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 37 | 2h 0m | US$42.10 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 7 | 2h 38m | US$30.55 |
| Non-federally owned railway company | 1 | 4h 7m | US$46.85 |
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 Frankfurt am Main to Cologne start from US$19, and on average cost . Daily there are 7 Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company schedules to Cologne. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company in Frankfurt am Main leaves from Frankfurt-Unterliederbach and 11 other stations. And in Cologne trains arrive at Central Station and one other train station.
From Frankfurt am Main to Cologne train travel on Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company takes 2 hours and 38 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 0 hours and 48 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers 24 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Cologne.
Non-federally owned railway company train tickets from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne start from US$47, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 Non-federally owned railway company schedules to Cologne. Non-federally owned railway company in Frankfurt am Main leaves from Frankfurt-Unterliederbach . And in Cologne trains arrive at Central Station .
From Frankfurt am Main to Cologne train travel on Non-federally owned railway company takes 4 hours and 7 minutes. If you are looking to get to Cologne faster, Non-federally owned railway company offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 0 hours and 48 minutes.
If you are looking to travel to Cologne on a weekend there is typically one Non-federally owned railway company scheduled trip per day, which will cost for a one-way weekend reservation from Frankfurt am Main.
Frequently Asked Questions
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Frankfurt am Main to Cologne on Saturday. Tickets for Saturday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Monday. Monday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Frankfurt am Main 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 44 scheduled trains on most days. 52 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 Frankfurt am Main.
City Information
Frankfurt am Main
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Frankfurt is Germany's financial hub, home to the European Central Bank. This riverside city offers a variety of cultural and historical attractions scattered between its financial institutions and shops.
Your first stop should be Old Town, along the river Main. Once the centre of the city, the Old Town district is now the site of the Römer, or city hall, along a row of picturesque timber houses. Stop in Kleinmarkthalle, a bustling indoor market, to grab a sausage for a snack before wandering through some of Old Town's museums: Saalgasse, Dommuseum, and Museum für Moderne Kunst (Museum MMK) will get you started. Two of Frankfurt's most prominent churches, St. Bartholomew Cathedral and St. Nicholas Church, are also in the area.
Food is always delightful in Frankfurt. Several Michelin-star restaurants will entice you, including Restaurant Lafleur, Restaurant Gustav, Restaurant Villa Merton, and Carmelo Greco. If you prefer more affordable dining and lively nightlife, head to the Bahnhofsviertel neighbourhood near the city's train station.
The train station in Bahnhofsviertel serves national and international rail lines for Deutsche Bahn, DB Intercity, FlixTrain, vlexx, and Railjet. You can also reach Frankfurt easily on coach carriers like FlixBus and Sindbad. Plus, flying in and out of Frankfurt is a breeze, as the airport is one of the largest in Germany and the main hub for the Lufthansa airline.
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 Frankfurt am Main?
Main departure station: Frankfurt(M)Mühlberg
Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 15 stops and stations in Frankfurt am Main where you can board the train.
All train stations in Frankfurt am Main:
Frankfurt(M)Mühlberg
Frankfurt(M)Ostendstraße
Frankfurt(M)Hauptwache
Frankfurt-Frankfurter Berg
Frankfurt-Berkersheim
Frankfurt-Eschersheim
Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf
Frankfurt-Mainkur
Frankfurt-Nied
Frankfurt(Main)Ost
Frankfurt(M)Konstablerwache
Frankfurt-Unterliederbach
Central Train Station
Frankfurt-Sindlingen
Frankfurt-Zeilsheim
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 Frankfurt am Main?
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