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Cheap train tickets from Cologne to Salzburg
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Cologne to Salzburg. Traveling by train from Cologne to Salzburg usually takes 13 hours and 54 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
- Distance
- 349 mi (562 km)
- Fastest train
- 13h 54m
- Lowest price
- €97.73
- Trains per day
- 1
- Most frequent service
- FlixTrain
- Train lines
- 1
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Cologne to Salzburg Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Cologne to Salzburg?
There are usually 4 daily bus trips available from Cologne to Salzburg.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price€101.62 | Avg. Price€55.12Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips4 |
Duration | Duration13h 54m | Duration12h 18mFaster |
There are several train options that can take you from Cologne to Salzburg:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Cologne to Salzburg?
In the last month, train tickets from Cologne to Salzburg cost about €98 when booked at the cheapest time. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 3 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around €8.73 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Cologne to Salzburg by travel date
The cost of a one-way train trip from Cologne to Salzburg is expected to stay pretty stable over the next four weeks. No matter which day you travel, you can expect to pay about €101 for your ticket.
Prices as travel date approaches
Which train should you take from Cologne to Salzburg?
FlixTrain is the one and only train line which connects Cologne to Salzburg. 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 | 13h 54m | €101.62 |
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 trip to Salzburg from Cologne. The train usually departs from Cologne Central Station in Cologne and arrives at Hellbrunner Landesstraße in Salzburg after about 13 hours and 54 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Cologne to Salzburg
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. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Cologne to Salzburg for €35.
Trains per day
1
Direct trains
0
The distance between Cologne and Salzburg is approximately 349 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 13 hours and 54 minutes. 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.
Distance (mi)
349
Distance (km)
562
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Cologne at 11:01 AM and arrives in Salzburg around 13 hours later.
First train
11:01am
Last train
11:01am
Trains from Cologne to Salzburg are the most crowded on Sunday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Sunday
Least crowded
Sunday
City Information
Cologne
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.
Salzburg
Salzburg is located in the north of Austria and might be best known for its stunning landscapes and locations featured in The Sound of Music. Don't worry, there are plenty of organized tours to see the Von Trapps' house, the hills where Maria sings, and more of the film's iconic settings. This cultural and historic city offers many more activities set against the stunning backdrop of churches and castles.
Salzburg Old Town, or Altstadt, is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, and it is easy to see why. The beautiful Baroque-style architecture and churches are straight out of a fairytale, while the looming Hohensalzburg Castle and attached museum serve as a reminder of Salzburg's decadent past.
Salzburg was a musically famous city even before The Sound of Music, as it’s known for being the birthplace of Mozart. Music lovers can visit his residence and the locations associated with Mozart's life in Salzburg. In winter, be sure to stay for one of Salzburg's famous Christmas markets. The Christkindlmarkt tradition dates back to the 15th century, with hundreds of stalls offering the finest mulled wine, handmade crafts, and delicious Christmas treats.
Salzburg is well-connected to much of Europe by ground and air travel. Popular train routes to Salzburg travel from Vienna, Berlin, and Cologne. FlixBus provides the most bus routes to Salzburg, with several smaller carriers also serving several routes to cities in Switzerland and beyond. Salzburg Airport provides an alternative way to reach Salzburg, located just 4 kilometers from the city center.
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 Salzburg?
Main arrival station: Hellbrunner Landesstraße
Salzburg has one train station.
Salzburg South (Salzburg Sud) is a small bus stop located in the south of the city where Flixbus buses stop. Flixbus services run regularly, with up to thirty departures a day to Vienna and two to Graz. The stop is really just a bus stop (aka a stop on the side of the road), so there aren't any amenities. Salzburg South train station is nearby with waiting rooms, plus plenty of local trains going to and from the city center. If you want to stretch your legs before your trips, take a short walk down the main road to find lots of shops, the Amadeo Hotel, a McDonald's, and a few other restaurants and places to stay.
All train stations in Salzburg:
- Hellbrunner Landesstraße
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