- Must visit
Museum voor Schone Kunsten
Major fine arts museum with works from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. A strong choice for Flemish painting and changing exhibitions.
Cheapest price on 31 Aug
£22
Average ticket price on 31 Aug
£28
Fastest journey on 31 Aug
5 h 20 m
Average journey duration on 31 Aug
6 h 44 m
Buses on 31 Aug
4
Distance
227 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cologne to Ghent is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Ghent will cost around £28 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £22.
On Mon 31 Aug, we found 4 buses from Cologne to Ghent, including 2 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 227 km distance in an average of 6 h 44 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 20 m .
The slowest buses will take 8 h 30 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixBus
FlixBus
50429 · 1671
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
50429 · 1671Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Ghent among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £21 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 30m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £21, while a flight costs an average of £301.
Distance: 227 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£21 Average Price Cheapest | £53 Average Price | £301 Average Price |
4h 37m Average total duration 4h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 30m Average total duration Fastest 3h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 26m Average total duration 4h 26m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Ghent coaches for tomorrow, Monday 31 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 3:05 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 5h20 | 8:25 Gent, Ghent | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 9:15 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 5h45 | 15:00 Gent, Ghent | 0 changesdirect | |
50429 · 1671 | 11:55 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 8h30 | 20:25 Gent, Ghent | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 13:20 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 7h20 | 20:40 Gent, Ghent | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Cologne to Ghent run on average 3 times per day, taking around 4h 7m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £13 if you book in advance.
There are 2 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 02:05, the last at 21:15. The fastest coach covers the 227 km distance in 5h 20m.
Distance 227 km |
Average bus duration 4h 7m |
Cheapest ticket price £13 |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 5h 20m |
First bus 2:05 |
Last bus 21:15 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Ghent — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Ghent trip today.
Major fine arts museum with works from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. A strong choice for Flemish painting and changing exhibitions.
Bold contemporary art museum facing the citadel park. Visit for Belgian and international modern art, installations and temporary shows.
City museum in a former abbey site, explaining Ghent’s development through objects, stories and a memorable model of the city centre.
Historic quay lined with guild houses and waterside terraces. One of Ghent’s signature walks for architecture, photos and boat-trip departures.
Atmospheric counterpart to the Graslei on the opposite bank. Ideal for strolling, riverside views and seeing the medieval core from street level.
Large urban park with lawns, paths and museum access nearby. A pleasant break from the old centre and a good base for art-focused visits.
A creamy mashed potato dish mixed with vegetables such as carrots, leeks or spinach, often served as hearty Flemish comfort food in winter.
Ghent waterzooi is a rich, creamy stew traditionally made with chicken, vegetables and broth. It is a classic signature dish strongly linked to the city.
A traditional Ghent sweet made from raspberry jelly coated in sugar. It is one of the city’s most recognisable confectionery specialities.
Refined restaurant in a former Carmelite chapel, known for polished seasonal Belgian cooking and an elegant dining room.
Casual spot popular for quality Belgian chips with classic sauces and snacks, ideal for a quick local bite in the city centre.
Historic, lively brasserie serving classic Ghent and Belgian dishes with local beers in a traditional setting near the centre.
Moderate for Belgium: hotels and dining are pricier than smaller Flemish towns, but public transport and casual meals stay manageable for most city-break budgets.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for great restaurant service. Round up taxi fares, and leave small change at cafés if you wish.
Official public transport app
Gent-Sint-Pieters -> Korenmarkt, Gent
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Ghent by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Ghent, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cologne to Ghent buses use the Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) to Gent, Ghent station pair. Use this guide to compare Cologne and Ghent bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) is 13 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:
Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Accessibility and WC.
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Available at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen): Parking, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen): Elevators, ramps.
Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) is 13 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:
Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance and baggage claim area.
Ticket office support is available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2).
Available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2): Elevators, ramps.
Gent, Ghent is 1 km from Ghent city centre. Public transport options include:
Gent, Ghent has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Gent, Ghent. ATMs are available at Gent, Ghent.
Ticket office support is available at Gent, Ghent.
Available at Gent, Ghent: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Gent, Ghent: Limited accessibility features for disabled persons.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need