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Journey Information
There are 6 intercity buses per day from Dortmund to Cologne. Traveling by bus from Dortmund to Cologne usually takes around one hour and 59 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus bus can make the trip in just one hour and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 45 mi (73 km) |
| Shortest duration | 1h 10m |
| Cheapest price | €5.15 |
| Trips per day | 6 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Dortmund to Cologne?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Dortmund to Cologne. FlixBus connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 6 | 1h 59m | €7.19 |
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 Dortmund to Cologne, and usually makes the trip in about 1 hours and 59 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of one hour and 59 minutes to cover the 73 kilometers from Dortmund to Cologne. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 10 minutes. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short bus 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.
"Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in Cologne. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go."
The first bus leaves at 05:00 and the last bus leaves at 20:00. To see the times for all buses from Dortmund to Cologne, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 6 scheduled buses that travel from Dortmund to Cologne every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Dortmund to Cologne without transferring.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Dortmund to Cologne; ticket prices start at €5.15.
City Information
Dortmund
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Unsplash
Dortmund used to be Germany's center of steel and coal industries, but today is better known for the Borussia soccer team. It is Westphalia's largest city, and it offers lots of parks and open spaces to guests. There are also dozens of museums and local attractions in the area.
If you're ready to explore Dortmund, plan a visit to The Alter Markt, or Old Market. This century-old structure is in a pedestrian-friendly shopping area in the center of Old Town. Get lost amidst its galleries, boutiques, shops, restaurants, and cafes.
Your next stop could be St. Reinold's Church. Built during the 13th century, this church stands tall, with its 104-meter high tower visible from afar. If you're up to it, climb up the tower to get a sweeping view of the city.
Another interesting site to visit is the Zollern Colliery. This building used to be a coal mine, initially built in 1904. You might be picturing a dull old factory, but you'll be surprised by the stunning steel and glass structure with a red brick facade. Take a tour of the building to learn all about Dortmund's industrial past.
You can travel to Dortmund by nearly every form of transportation—we see you, hot air balloon enthusiasts. Flights operate from Dortmund Airport, and Deutsche Bahn and FlixTrain provide train service. Buses on carriers including FlixBus, Sindbad, Onebus, and Union Ivkoni connect Dortmund to cities throughout Germany and Europe.
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 Dortmund?
Image credit: Erich Ferdinand
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Central Bus Station
The Dortmund Central Bus Station (Dortmund Busbahnhof) is the city's main coach station located very close to the central train station. FlixBus and Sindbad buses from the station mainly serve cities within Germany such as Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg and Hanover, which run daily. The coach station has parking for over fifty cars and a few restaurants nearby. There are also plenty of shops and amenities a short distance away on the other side of the main train station.
All bus stations in Dortmund:
Central Bus Station
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
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Need a return trip from Cologne to Dortmund?
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