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Basel to Cologne bus

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Basel - Cologne Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 3 intercity buses per day from Basel to Cologne. Traveling by bus from Basel to Cologne usually takes around 10 hours and 54 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus bus can make the trip in 8 hours and 40 minutes.

Distance235 mi (378 km)
Shortest duration8h 40m
Cheapest price$23.36
Trips per day1
Most frequent serviceFlixBus
Bus lines1

What bus companies travel from Basel to Cologne?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Basel to Cologne. FlixBus connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus310h 54m$39.03
  • 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 3 trips from Basel to Cologne, and usually makes the trip in about 10 hours and 54 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 10 hours and 54 minutes to cover the 235 miles from Basel to Cologne. However, the fastest bus only takes 8 hours and 40 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.

With many people traveling in the middle of the week, Wednesday is the busiest day of the week for bus travel. If you are planning to travel on a Wednesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 4:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Basel to Cologne, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Basel to Cologne every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Basel to Cologne; ticket prices start at $44.76.

City Information

Basel

Basel - CHBSL-0

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Basel - CHBSL-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Basel - CHBSL-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Basel is bordered by France to the west and Germany to the east, with the river Rhine running directly through the city. This culture-centric destination is known for containing Switzerland's highest concentration of museums. With over 40 museums, roughly one per square kilometer, you're guaranteed to find at least one museum that fits your interests. Of course, it's got classic art museums like the Fine Arts Museum and the Jean Tinguely Museum, but you'll write home about the niche ones like Basel Paper Mill (a museum about paper and printing) and Toys Worlds Museum.

Basel's Old Town area will give you a taste of the city's history, with its cobblestoned streets and medieval churches, as well as several beautiful fountains. In the Marktplatz, or market square, check out the bold red City Hall, as well as even more museums, these ones devoted to Basel's history.

Basel is also home to Switzerland's oldest zoo, founded in 1874. Conveniently located in the heart of Basel, the zoo lets you get up close and personal with animals from the tiniest insects to the grandest elephants. Plus, you can learn more about the zoo's conservation projects.

Basel is well-situated for easy travel to other countries due to its proximity to France and Germany, as well as its transportation options. The world's only tri-national airport, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, is only 4km from Basel. This unique airport is located on both French and Swiss territory but also serves travelers to nearby Freiburg, Germany. Basel also welcomes national and international train routes, and many European bus services stop in the city.

Cologne

Cologne - DEMTE-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Cologne - DEMTE-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Cologne - DEMTE-2

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 Basel?

Meret Oppenheim-Straße 60 -{"city":"Basel","country":"CH","postal":"4053","state":"BS","street1":"Meret Oppenheim-Straße 60"} - CHBSLDEFLX-0

Image credit: Rosmarie Voegtli

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Main departure station: Basel SBB

The bus station behind Basel SBB is the main transport station in the city. The bus stop is most frequently served by FlixBus, which travels to European cities including Prague, Stuttgart, and Lyon. Although the bus stop itself doesn't have any amenities, Basel SBB (right next door) has plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes, and even a supermarket. You can also find out more about bus schedules at the ticket kiosk, although Flixbus does require you buy your tickets online rather than at the station.

All bus stations in Basel:

  • Basel SBB

Where does the bus arrive in Cologne?

Leverkusen -{"city":"Cologne","country":"DE","postal":"51373","state":"NW","street1":"Heinrich-von-Stephan-Straße"} - DEMTEDEFLX3-0

Image credit: philipweaver

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Main 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.

All bus stations in Cologne:

  • Leverkusen

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Cologne by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Cologne to Basel?

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