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Trip Summary
There is usually just one train option from Cologne to Vienna per day. The average train journey from Cologne to Vienna takes 17 hours and 1 minute, though some trains might be a few minutes slower or faster.
| Distance | 462 mi (743 km) |
| Fastest train | 17h 1m |
| Lowest price | €40.80 |
| Most frequent service | FlixTrain |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Cologne to Vienna?
In the last month, €61.40 was the average price of a train ticket from Cologne to Vienna. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 15 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around €54.58 more than that for a same-day booking.
Monthly average prices
Which train should you take from Cologne to Vienna?
FlixTrain is the one and only train line which connects Cologne to Vienna. 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 | 17h 2m | €76.36 |
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 Vienna from Cologne. The train usually departs from Cologne Central Station in Cologne and arrives at Erdberg in Vienna after about 17 hours and 2 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Cologne and Vienna is approximately 462 miles, or 743 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 17 hours and 1 minute,
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.
Friday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Cologne to Vienna. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Friday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Wednesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Cologne at 16:00 and arrives in Vienna around 17 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 Vienna 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 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.
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.
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 Vienna?
Image credit: Linie29
Link to image attributionMain arrival 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-Bhan and get anywhere else in the city.
Train stations in Vienna:
Erdberg
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