Lowest Prices
We partner with the top coach & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Journey Information
There are 8 intercity buses per day from Vienna to Cologne. Traveling by bus from Vienna to Cologne usually takes around 16 hours, but the fastest FlixBus bus can make the trip in 13 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 462 mi (743 km) |
| Shortest duration | 13h 15m |
| Cheapest price | €29.64 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus |
| Bus lines | 3 |
What bus companies travel from Vienna to Cologne?
There are 3 bus lines from Vienna to Cologne available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 6 daily trips, FlixBus usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 6 | 16h 8m | €62.81 |
| RegioJet | 2 | 15h 36m | €66.42 |
| Union Ivkoni | 1 | 13h 30m | €38.80 |
First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 6 trips from Vienna to Cologne, and usually makes the trip in about 16 hours and 8 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Book RegioJet from Vienna to Cologne from €43. There are 2 trips per day offered by RegioJet from Vienna to Cologne and you can expect on average to pay for a RegioJet ticket to Cologne. In Vienna, RegioJet departs to Cologne from Central Station and 2 other stations. In Cologne, RegioJet arrives at Bonn Airport Bus Terminal .
An average trip on RegioJet from Vienna to Cologne takes 15 hours and 36 minutes , while the fastest available RegioJet trip will get you to Cologne in 13 hours and 15 minutes .
On weekends, RegioJet offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Cologne.
Union Ivkoni was founded in Bulgaria in 1992 and quickly expanded its operations throughout Europe. Popular routes include both shorter travels within one country and long-haul international trips. Their reliable buses offer amenities to make your trip comfortable, including air conditioning, extra legroom, and power outlets. Union Ivkoni usually operates 1 trips per day on the route from Vienna to Cologne, and the trip usually takes 13 hours and 30 minutes to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 16 hours to cover the 743 kilometers from Vienna to Cologne. However, the fastest bus only takes 13 hours and 15 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
"Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Cologne at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet."
The first bus leaves at 02:00 and the last bus leaves at 23:00. To see the times for all buses from Vienna to Cologne, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 8 scheduled buses that travel from Vienna to Cologne every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Vienna to Cologne; ticket prices start at €59.53.
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 bus 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 does the bus leave from in Vienna?
Image credit: Linie29
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Erdberg
The Erdberg station is located in front of the Vienna International Busterminal (VIB). Some buses use a curbside stop on the street level, including the FlixBus routes that use the station. The indoor station is not always open, so be prepared to wait for the bus outside, without access to restrooms or other amenities, just in case. Across the street is the Erdberg Metro station, so you can easily connect to Vienna's U-Bahn and get anywhere else in the city.
All bus stations in Vienna:
Erdberg
Wien Train Station (Tiefgeschoß Straßenbahn)
Central Station
Wien Hbf
Wien Dörfelstraße (Meidling Bahnhof)
Central Bus Station Vib
Where does the bus arrive in Cologne?
Image credit: philipweaver
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Leverkusen
Leverkusen Mitte is a railway station with regional services, to cities across Germany. The station also receives buses, which service the local area. Leverkusen Mitte is in the center of Leverkusen, so you can easily find cafes, shops, restaurants, and supermarkets to stock up before your trip. There's also plenty of space for parking cars and a bike locker area. Leverkusen is on the outskirts of Cologne, so after catching a train to the city, you can get connections to cities across Germany and the Netherlands.
Bus stations in Cologne:
Leverkusen
Bonn Airport Bus Terminal
Wickenpfädchen 11
Cologne Central Station
Cologne / Bonn Airport Busterminal Kennedystrasse
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Cologne to Vienna?
Search Bus Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book coaches and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more