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Journey Information
There are 21 intercity buses per day from Cologne to Bratislava. Traveling by bus from Cologne to Bratislava usually takes around 20 hours and 51 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus bus can make the trip in 16 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 494 mi (794 km) |
| Shortest duration | 16h 45m |
| Cheapest price | $42.22 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Cologne to Bratislava?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Cologne to Bratislava. 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 | 21 | 20h 51m | $69.71 |
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 21 trips from Cologne to Bratislava, and usually makes the trip in about 20 hours and 51 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 20 hours and 51 minutes to cover the 494 miles from Cologne to Bratislava. However, the fastest bus only takes 16 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.
Because many passengers travel from Cologne to Bratislava at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, 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 7:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Cologne to Bratislava, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 21 scheduled buses that travel from Cologne to Bratislava every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Cologne to Bratislava; ticket prices start at $46.56.
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.
Bratislava
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
The capital of Slovakia and a beautiful city straddling two sides of the Danube, Bratislava is a popular tourist destination in Europe that features plenty of attractions. Tourists often flock to the Old Town quarter, a historic area that dates back to several centuries. In this quarter, you can also find the magnificent Baroque Palaces, with their awe-inspiring architecture, as well as Mozart House, where Mozart performed for the Palffy clan when he was only six years old. Don't miss out on the chance to marvel at the Gothic Cathedral of St. Martin, the coronation church for the kings and queens of Hungary for three centuries.
As the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava naturally features many world-famous restaurants that serve the finest local specialties. Special mentions go to the Modrá Hviezda, a small restaurant in the Old Town quarter of the city. However, for the best local dishes, try the Bratislava Flagship.
The primary train station in Bratislava is the Bratislava-Petrzalka. Bus service also makes Bratislava accessible from many major cities in Eastern Europe. Flights go through the nearby M. R. Štefánik Airport, located just 5.1 miles away from the city.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Cologne?
Image credit: philipweaver
Link to image attributionMain departure 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
Wickenpfädchen 11
Where does the bus arrive in Bratislava?
Image credit: ZupaBA VUCBA
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Mlýnské Nivy
Autobusová Stanica is a major bus station in Bratislava, offering intercity bus services on Slovak Lines. The station is large and spacious, with many dedicated waiting lounges. There are plenty of food stalls and even retail shops inside. The station is close to busy residential areas, with other amenities like cafes within walking distance. This station also recently experienced a major renovation, and the new, more modern station opened in 2021.
All bus stations in Bratislava:
Mlýnské Nivy
Einsteinova/Viedenska cesta
Most SNP
Ivanská cesta 4356/39
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Bratislava to Cologne?
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