chiku-desktop

Cheap bus tickets from Munich to Cologne

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

chiku-mobile

Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:

Lowest Prices

We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.

Best Travel Options

We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.

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.

See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Munich to Cologne Bus Schedule

Bus from Munich to Cologne: Journey Information

There are 9 intercity buses per day from Munich to Cologne. Traveling by bus from Munich to Cologne usually takes around 8 hours and 57 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance284 mi (456 km)
Shortest duration7h 45m
Cheapest price$26.35
Trips per day8
Most frequent serviceFlixBus
Bus lines1

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on bus & train tickets sent directly to you.

What bus companies travel from Munich to Cologne?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Munich 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
FlixBus98h 58m$43.93
  • 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 9 trips from Munich to Cologne, and usually makes the trip in about 8 hours and 58 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Munich to Cologne

The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 57 minutes to cover the 284 miles from Munich to Cologne. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours and 45 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.

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus 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, 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 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Munich to Cologne, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 9 scheduled buses that travel from Munich to Cologne every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 8 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 Munich to Cologne; ticket prices start at $53.52.

City Information

Munich

Boasting a quaint beauty that has withstood the test of time, Munich is a vibrant city where the old meets the new. One of the most noticeable events in the city is Oktoberfest. The festival is the largest beer festival in the world, and it is here that you can enjoy a huge variety of beers, as well as local specialties and themed entertainment. For those who want to learn more about the city’s architectural history, consider visiting the Church of Our Lady, which features two unique dome-topped towers, forming an eye-catching part of Munich’s skyline. If you simply wish to enjoy a stroll around town, the English Garden, with its signature Chinesischen Turm, will offer the reprieve you need.

Among the local favorites in the city are Spatenhaus and Haxnbauer, both of which serve authentic hearty Munich dishes. For a more affordable dinner, you could check out the beer gardens such as Seehaus Biergarten or Augustinerkeller.

München Hauptbahnhof, located at the center of Munich, is the principal train station in the city serving all Deutsche Bahn trains that pass through town. Munich’s Central Bus Station is located in the heart of the city, making it easy to catch a bus by FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus or Sindbad. The main airport is the Franz Josef Strauss International Airport, which lies 19 miles northeast of the city center.

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 Munich?

Central Bus Station  - DEMUNDEFLX-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Main departure station: Central Bus Station

Munich's Central Bus Station (or ZOB) is very close to the city's train station and within a short walk of Old Town. As the center of Munich's intercity bus travel services, this station welcomes bus lines like FlixBus and RegioJet. The station is expansive, with multiple stories of offices that overlook the train tracks outside. Passengers will find many fast-food options, as well as convenience stores, ATMs, and public restrooms inside the station.

All bus stations in Munich:

  • Central Bus Station

  • Fröttmaning

Where does the bus arrive in Cologne?

Main arrival station: Cologne / Bonn Airport Terminal 2

All buses from Munich arrive at one main station in Cologne.

All bus stations in Cologne:

  • Cologne / Bonn Airport Terminal 2

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 Munich?

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. 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.