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Trip Summary
There are usually 61 daily train trips available from Cologne to Mannheim. Traveling by train from Cologne to Mannheim usually takes 2 hours and 31 minutes, but the fastest DB Intercity-Express train can make the trip in one hour and 26 minutes.
Distance | 120 mi (194 km) |
Fastest train | 1h 26m |
Lowest price | $19.06 |
Trains per day | 34 |
Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn |
Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Cologne to Mannheim?
There are 4 train lines with service from Cologne to Mannheim. Deutsche Bahn is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 58 trains each day.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
DB Eurocity | 1 | 2h 38m | $33.26 |
DB Intercity | 1 | 2h 36m | $58.66 |
DB Intercity-Express | 6 | 1h 57m | $65.33 |
Deutsche Bahn | 58 | 2h 34m | $65.86 |
Deutsche Bahn IC is the German railway's long-distance train service provider with service across Germany and neighboring countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, and Poland. Onboard amenities include restrooms, power outlets, and a restaurant car where passengers can purchase drinks, snacks, and meals.
The most popular Deutsche Bahn ICE routes travel to Berlin, Cologne, Paris, and Munich. Seating is spacious with a good amount of legroom, and onboard amenities include complimentary WiFi, restrooms, and a restaurant car selling beverages, snacks, sandwiches, and hot meals. Unlike the rest of the Deutsche Bahn network, ticket prices on Deutsche Bahn ICE services are not based on a per-kilometer rate but on specific station-to-station links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trains departing from Cologne to Mannheim tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Monday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Cologne at 3:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 61 scheduled trains on most days. 34 of these are direct connections to Mannheim. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Mannheim 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.
Mannheim
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Mannheim is located at the confluence of the Rhine and the Neckar Rivers in the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg. Some travelers are intimidated by the factories surrounding Mannheim, but don't overlook this unique destination. Mannheim is an excellent place to discover fantastic museums, amazing retail therapy, and scenic parks and squares.
Mannheim differs from most other German cities in its layout. The city is arranged in a grid pattern with individual quadrants. The unusual layout of the city originated in 1606, centering the Friedrichsburg fortress, now the Mannheim Palace, which is one of the largest palaces in Europe. This elaborate palace houses the University of Mannheim and treats students to royal surroundings.
Mannheim is known for its industry and innovation. For example, Mannheim is the city where Karl Drais built the world's first bicycle and where Karl Benz (as in, Mercedes-Benz) constructed the first automobile with an internal combustion engine. The Romanesque Wasserturm, or water tower, is another feat of German engineering, and visitors can walk through the surrounding rose gardens and discover the tower's many sculptures.
Mannheim can be accessed by train, road, or air. Frankfurt International Airport is easily accessible by a high-speed shuttle bus, while Mannheim Hauptbahnhof offers ICE, IC, and regional train access. Sindbad, FlixBus, and many more bus lines serve Mannheim with routes to cities including Munich, Essen, and Frankfurt.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Cologne?
Image credit: Magnus Hagdorn
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Central Station
Cologne Central Station is, unsurprisingly, the central station and main transport hub of Cologne. Multiple nationwide and regional trains stop here and connect to other routes. Thalys and Deutsche Bahn ICE provide service to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and many more. Inside the station, you can kill some time perusing souvenir shops and grab a meal at one of the restaurants- or skip straight to desert at one of the multiple bakeries available. There's even a shop for clothes and a bank in the building. Once outside, you'll be in the center of Cologne, so there are plenty of attractions and restaurants nearby.
All train stations in Cologne:
Central Station
Köln Messe/Deutz Gl.11-12
Where is the train station in Mannheim?
Main arrival station: Mannheim-Friedrichsfeld
There are more train stations and stops in Mannheim than most cities. Most trains from Cologne will stop at one (or more) of the 12 following stations in Mannheim:
All train stations in Mannheim:
Mannheim-Friedrichsfeld
Mannheim-Seckenheim
Mannheim-Friedrichsfeld Süd
Mannheim ARENA/Maimarkt
Mannheim-Rheinau
Train Station
Mannheim-Waldhof
Mannheim-Luzenberg
Mannheim-Neckarau
Mannheim-Neckarstadt
Mannheim Handelshafen
Mannheim-Käfertal
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