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Trip Summary
On most days, there is one scheduled train that travels from Cologne to Jena. The train trip from Cologne to Jena is usually about 12 hours and 16 minutes long. However, be prepared just in case your train arrives slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
| Distance | 202 mi (324 km) |
| Fastest train | 12h 16m |
| Lowest price | £30.63 |
| Most frequent service | FlixTrain |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Cologne to Jena?
FlixTrain is the one and only train line which connects Cologne to Jena. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixTrain | 1 | 12h 16m | £33.72 |
Part of the FlixBus family, FlixTrain launched in 2018 to offer affordable and sustainable train travel in Germany. Its trains provide Wi-Fi, power outlets, air conditioning, onboard restrooms, and access to an entertainment portal full of movies, games, and music. In addition, each passenger gets a guaranteed seat, so you don't have to worry about standing in any aisles. FlixTrain operates 1 daily trips to Jena from Cologne. The train usually departs from Cologne Central Station in Cologne and arrives at Jena Paradies Bus Station in Jena after about 12 hours and 16 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Cologne and Jena is approximately 202 miles, or 324 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 12 hours and 16 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 Jena tend to have the most passengers on Friday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Friday. 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 Friday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Cologne at 16:00 and arrives in Jena around 12 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Jena 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.
Jena
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Jena is a German city famous for its rolling hills and a variety of wild orchids. One of the most iconic landmarks in the city is Stadtkirche Sankt Michael, or the Church of St. Michael. The church's magnificent Gothic architecture includes a tower that may have once seemed tall, but is now dwarfed by the neighbouring JenTower skyscraper. The cylindrical JenTower has an observation deck and restaurant on the top floor where you can get the best views of Jena.
Jena has a wealth of quirky museums that are not your average art or history museums. For example, the Optical Museum exhibits a wide range of glasses, microscopes, and cameras from various points in optics history. Planetarium Jena often runs laser astronomy shows, and the Phyletic Museum hosts a small but rich collection of natural history exhibits. Of course, you can always simply stroll in the Botanischer Garten, one of the oldest botanical gardens in Germany.
The central hub of intercity coach transportation in the city is the Jena Paradies Bus Station, right in the city's centre. Travel to Jena includes coach service on FlixBus, plus numerous train routes on the Deutsche Bahn network.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Cologne?
Main departure station: Cologne Central Station
There is one train station in Cologne.
All train stations in Cologne:
Cologne Central Station
Where is the train station in Jena?
Main arrival station: Jena Paradies Bus Station
Jena has one train station.
Train stations in Jena:
Jena Paradies Bus Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Jena to Cologne?
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