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Trip Summary
You can pick from 19 daily train trips between Cologne and Passau. The average train journey from Cologne to Passau takes 7 hours and 39 minutes, but some DB Intercity-Express train trips are as short as 5 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 332 mi (534 km) |
| Fastest train | 5h 30m |
| Lowest price | £49.21 |
| Trains per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Cologne to Passau?
2 train services operate from Cologne to Passau. Deutsche Bahn usually has more trains scheduled, with 15 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Intercity-Express | 4 | 6h 4m | £89.42 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 15 | 8h 31m | £79.79 |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Cologne and Passau is approximately 332 miles, or 534 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 39 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 30 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 Cologne to Passau 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 Cologne 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 19 scheduled trains on most days. 5 of these are direct connections to Passau. 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 Passau to Cologne.
City Information
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.
Passau
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Passau is a German city in Lower Bavaria, located at the confluence of three rivers: the Danube, Inn, and Ilk. Known as the Three Rivers City, Passau is a popular college town with many students attending the University of Passau.
One of Passau's most famous attractions is the Veste Oberhaus, an ancient fortress dating back to the 13th century. The impressive Gothic structure today includes a museum and, due to its hilltop location, excellent views of Passau's rivers and city. St. Stephen's Cathedral, a magnificent Baroque cathedral, is also worth a stop. However, if you simply want to enjoy a stroll around the city, the square in front of the cathedral is an excellent starting place to encounter some of Passau's most beautiful architecture.
Passau is located right on Germany's border with Austria, so the city is very easy to reach from Austrian cities like Linz or Salzburg. Travel options include intercity coach service with FlixBus and Union Ivkoni or train service with Deutsche Bahn. Trains to Passau arrive at the station directly downtown, so taking the train is especially convenient.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Cologne?
Image credit: Magnus Hagdorn
Link to image attributionMain departure 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.
All train stations in Cologne:
Central Station
Köln Messe/Deutz Gl.11-12
Where is the train station in Passau?
Main arrival station: Train Station
Passau receives travelers from Cologne at its two active train stations.
Train stations in Passau:
Train Station
Neustift(B)
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Passau to Cologne?
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