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Trip Summary
64 trains operate daily from Cologne to Mainz. The train trip from Cologne to Mainz is usually about 2 hours and 17 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Deutsche Bahn train can get you there in as little as one hour and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 86 mi (139 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 25m |
| Lowest price | $19.09 |
| Trains per day | 16 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn |
| Train lines | 5 |
Which train should you take from Cologne to Mainz?
There are 5 train lines with service from Cologne to Mainz. Deutsche Bahn is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 35 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Intercity | 3 | 2h 48m | $39.59 |
| DB Intercity-Express | 13 | 2h 14m | $59.13 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 35 | 2h 16m | $56.44 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 38 | 2h 18m | $55.04 |
| vlexx | 1 | 2h 54m | $43.72 |
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.
Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company train tickets from Cologne to Mainz start from $19, and on average cost . Daily there are 38 Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company schedules to Mainz. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company in Cologne leaves from Central Station and one other station. And in Mainz trains arrive at Mainz-Marienborn and 5 other train stations.
From Cologne to Mainz train travel on Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company takes 2 hours and 18 minutes. If you are looking to get to Mainz faster, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 1 hours and 25 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers 86 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Mainz.
Vlexx is a German train company based in the city of Mainz that runs regular passenger services across western Germany in Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Hesse, plus branching out to Wissembourg in France. Vlexx trains have large picture windows to enjoy the landscapes, plus plenty of legroom for each seat, step-free access, and specific areas for storing bicycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Cologne to Mainz on Saturday. Tickets for Saturday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Monday. Monday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
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 64 scheduled trains on most days. 16 of these are direct connections to Mainz. 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 Mainz 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.
Mainz
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Unsplash
Mainz is the state of Rhineland-Palatinate’s capital city and is located along the Rhine River, close to Frankfurt. The city is a cultural center and a transportation hub in the region, known for its delightful wine and historic buildings. The most iconic building in the city is the Mainz Cathedral, a grand Romanesque cathedral over 1,000 years old. The cathedral dominates the historic market square, surrounded by other charming buildings like the iconic half-timbered houses of the area.
Also off the historic market square, you'll find the Gutenberg Museum, dedicated to the history of printing and home to two of Johannes Gutenberg's Bibles. Mainz includes several other noteworthy museums to round out your visit: the Museum of Ancient Seafaring with a focus on Roman ships, Kunsthalle de Mayence, a museum of art, and Landesmuseum Mainz, which focuses on local history.
The Frankfurt Airport is the airport closest to Mainz, and it's easy to take a train to Frankfurt before catching a flight. Of course, trains also connect to other German cities like Stuttgart, Munich, and Hamburg. Mainz is also accessible via intercity bus routes that cover most of Europe.
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 Mainz?
Main arrival station: Mainz Nord
There are more train stations and stops in Mainz than most cities. Most trains from Cologne will stop at one (or more) of the 6 following stations in Mainz:
All train stations in Mainz:
Mainz Nord
Mainz-Mombach
Mainz-Laubenheim
Mainz-Marienborn
Mainz-Gonsenheim
Waggonfabrik
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Need a return trip from Mainz to Cologne?
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