Cologne to Hamburg bus with FlixBus

Thu 22 Oct
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Cologne to Hamburg

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 22 Oct

Cheapest price on 22 Oct

£26

Average ticket price on 22 Oct

£30

Fastest journey on 22 Oct

7 h 5 m

Average journey duration on 22 Oct

7 h 18 m

Buses on 22 Oct

2

Distance

360 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cologne to Hamburg is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Cologne to Hamburg will cost around £30 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £26.

Fast coaches

On Thu 22 Oct, we found 2 buses from Cologne to Hamburg, including 2 direct services.

These direct buses cover the 360 km distance in an average of 7 h 18 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 5 m .

The slowest buses will take 7 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.

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    16:057h30
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    23:35Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof
    £261One-way
    0 changes
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    23:357h05
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    6:40Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof
    £331One-way
    0 changes

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Cologne to Hamburg

GermanyGermany
GermanyGermany
Icon of bus

Buses from Cologne to Hamburg run on average 2 times per day, taking around 7h 19m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £11 but you can travel from only £7 by train.

There are 2 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:10, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 360 km distance in 6h 30m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £7
Distance
360 km
Average bus duration
7h 19m
Cheapest ticket price
£11
Buses per day
2
Direct buses
2
Fastest bus
6h 30m
First bus
0:10
Last bus
23:55
Cheapest Month
Sept
Cheapest Day
Tue
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Wed
Least Busy Day
Sun
Best time to book
70 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £7

Frequently asked questions about your Cologne to Hamburg trip

Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Cologne to Hamburg.

Cheap coach tickets from Cologne to Hamburg can start from as little as £11 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Cologne to Hamburg is £23; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The earliest coach from Cologne to Hamburg leaves at 0:10. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Cologne to Hamburg leaves at 23:55.
Yes, there are 2 direct coaches a day from Cologne to Hamburg with FlixBus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.

Live departures

Cologne to Hamburg bus times

The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Hamburg coaches for today, Wednesday 21 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus23:30 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
24h20
23:50 Hamburg, S Hamburg Airport1 change
FlixBusFlixBus23:35 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
7h05
6:40 Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof0 changesdirect
Thursday 22 October
FlixBusFlixBus16:05 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
7h30
23:35 Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Why should you book Cologne to Hamburg coaches with Omio?

FlixBus operates all coaches services from Cologne to Hamburg.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cologne to Hamburg.

Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?

  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare FlixBus with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cologne to Hamburg.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Cologne to Hamburg.

ReviewsReviews for the bus trip from Cologne to Hamburg

userReviewImage
userReviewLogo
The customer opinion was acquired via Cimenio. Cimenio incentivises its users for giving an honest opinion and proving the booking with a photo of the travel ticket.
Advantages
IconVery reasonable prices
IconFlexible date selection
IconThe bus is on time
I am very satisfied with the trip to Hamburg by bus and would like to recommend the bus trip. Booking the trip is very easy on the online portal and the ticket then comes by email and is presented digitally with the mobile phone before the trip starts. Very practical and efficient. The journey was stress free as there is hardly any foot traffic on the bus and the journey was quiet. No disturbing passengers either. The bus driver was nice and drove calmly and yet we reached the destination without delay. Overall a great experience and would love to do it again, especially with the fabulous value for money. Top.
Advantages
IconGreat prices
IconGood service
IconComfortable journey
Disadvantages
IconNone
The bus trip from Cologne airport to Hamburg can only be recommended. Everything went smoothly according to plan and the bus arrived in Hamburg after about 7 hours of travel. The seats were very comfortable and offered enough space so that one had a pleasant journey. The bus was clean and perfectly air-conditioned. There was free internet and a helpful bus driver who helped me connect to the internet. There is nothing for me to complain about and on top of that the great price for the bus ticket. So really only recommendable.
Advantages
IconSuper price
IconNice driver
IconClean bus
Disadvantages
IconWeak internet
I can highly recommend the bus trip from Cologne to Hamburg. Departure and arrival were on time and the journey was very relaxed. None of the passengers were too loud or demanding. I was able to relax well and enjoyed it very much. The internet was a bit weak at times to load social media apps but then I used my own internet. The bus was clean and the air was well air-conditioned. The bus reached the destination on time in 7 hours. I am very satisfied and happy to take the bus again for this route.
Advantages
IconPrice
IconEquipment
IconComfort
IconPersonnel
Disadvantages
IconPossible traffic volume
IconJourney time
With a journey time of over 7 hours, travelling with FlixBus is probably not the fastest, but I am always surprised by the outstanding price, excellent facilities and competent staff. The bus's free wifi is really powerful and allows you to work online while travelling. You also benefit from an on-board toilet, which can be used at any time and is extremely useful on such long journeys.
Advantages
IconEquipment of the bus
IconPersonnel
Disadvantages
IconToilet
The bus journey with Flixbus from Cologne to Hamburg was basically a relaxed journey. The bus driver was very friendly and communicative, and the seat equipment was excellent as usual. There was free wifi, upholstered seats and individual wifi and the bus was relatively empty, meaning you could relax and enjoy the journey. The only problem was that apparently the toilet didn't work because it wasn't emptied, which I don't really understand as it should be mandatory. But for the price, you can't really complain. I would still recommend the route.
Advantages
IconWithout changeover
IconInternet
IconSockets
Disadvantages
IconGets uncomfortable quickly
The train I travelled on had wifi and power sockets. The comfort was okay. The noise level was pleasant on the outward journey. There was no catering, the staff were largely friendly. The toilets were clean, the train was on time and there was no need to change trains. The price-performance ratio is super.

Bus providers: FlixBus from Cologne to HamburgYou can travel by bus between Cologne to Hamburg with FlixBus for as low as £7. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

FlixBus

About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average FlixBus Duration
6h 30m
Cheapest FlixBus Price
£11
FlixBus frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.

Companies, tickets, and onboard amenities between Cologne and Hamburg

Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.

When taking a coach from Cologne to Hamburg, you can count on FlixBus for the best way to get you to Hamburg. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Cologne and Hamburg and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Cologne to Hamburg for coach company FlixBus.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Cologne to Hamburg:
  • FlixBus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Cologne to Hamburg depends on the coach companies:
  • FlixBus
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company {providersWithBike}.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Cologne to Hamburg.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Cologne to Hamburg:
  • FlixBus
    • One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Cologne to Hamburg:
  • FlixBus
    • Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the coach from Cologne to Hamburg. The following conditions apply:
  • FlixBus
    • Small pets in carriers allowed
    • guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Cologne to Hamburg with the following coach company: FlixBus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Cologne to Hamburg with the following coach company: FlixBus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Cologne to Hamburg with the following coach company: FlixBus.

Complete guide to Hamburg

Things to do in Hamburg

Discover the best of Hamburg — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Hamburg trip today.

  • Must visit

Hamburger Kunsthalle

Major art museum with European painting, modern works and temporary exhibitions, all within walking distance of the main station.

  • Recommended

Deichtorhallen Hamburg

Striking contemporary art gallery in the HafenCity area, showing rotating exhibitions in a modern waterside building.

  • Recommended

Internationales Maritimes Museum Hamburg

Interactive maritime museum in a historic warehouse, covering ship models, navigation, naval history and global sea trade.

Euro (€)

Moderate for Germany: hotels and dining are pricier than smaller cities, but public transport is efficient and daily food options remain manageable for most visitors.

Average meal costs

Budget
€8-15 for fast food or simple lunch.
Mid-range
€18-35 per person for a meal.
Fine dining
€70+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
€3-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Tipping is customary but modest: round up or add 5-10% in restaurants, round up for taxis, and leave small change in cafés.

Best day trips from Hamburg by bus

The most popular day trips by bus from Hamburg are Lübeck, Bremen, Kiel, Schwerin and Hanover. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your bus from Hamburg on Omio.

A view of Lübeck

Day trip from Hamburg to Lübeck by bus

Why visit Lübeck for the day?

Lübeck is known for its Hanseatic past, brick Gothic churches and marzipan tradition. Its UNESCO-listed old town, set between waterways, feels historic, compact and quietly maritime.

How to get from Hamburg to Lübeck by bus?

There are 1 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 07:25, the last at 19:55. The fastest coach covers the 55 km distance in 1h 0m.

A view of Bremen

Day trip from Hamburg to Bremen by bus

Why visit Bremen for the day?

Bremen is a historic Hanseatic city on the Weser, known for its market square and the Town Musicians of Bremen. Its compact centre mixes brick Gothic architecture, maritime heritage and a relaxed northern character.

How to get from Hamburg to Bremen by bus?

There are 10 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:10, the last at 23:50. The fastest coach covers the 98 km distance in 1h 20m.

A view of Kiel

Day trip from Hamburg to Kiel by bus

Why visit Kiel for the day?

Kiel is a Baltic port city known for its harbour, naval heritage and the annual Kieler Woche sailing festival. Its modern centre and waterside setting give it a practical, relaxed feel with easy access to the coast.

How to get from Hamburg to Kiel by bus?

There are 5 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 02:30, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 83 km distance in 1h 10m.

A view of Schwerin

Day trip from Hamburg to Schwerin by bus

Why visit Schwerin for the day?

Schwerin is known for Schwerin Castle, which stands dramatically on an island among the city's lakes. Its historic centre, gardens and waterside setting give the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern capital a calm, elegant feel.

How to get from Hamburg to Schwerin by bus?

There are 1 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 07:25, the last at 18:40. The fastest coach covers the 92 km distance in 2h 25m.

A view of Hanover

Day trip from Hamburg to Hanover by bus

Why visit Hanover for the day?

Hanover is known for major trade fairs, elegant gardens and a relaxed, green cityscape. The Herrenhausen Gardens, Maschsee and a polished centre give it a calm character with culture close at hand.

How to get from Hamburg to Hanover by bus?

There are 8 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 01:10, the last at 23:35. The fastest coach covers the 135 km distance in 2h 0m.

FAQs: Cologne to Hamburg coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Hamburg 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 Hamburg, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Cologne to Hamburg can start from as little as £11 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Cologne to Hamburg is £23; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Cologne to Hamburg is 6h 30m to travel the 360 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Cologne to Hamburg leaves at 0:10. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Cologne to Hamburg leaves at 23:55.
Yes, there are 2 direct coaches a day from Cologne to Hamburg with FlixBus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.
When taking a coach from Cologne to Hamburg, you can count on FlixBus for the best way to get you to Hamburg. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Cologne and Hamburg and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Cologne , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen), Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) . When arriving in Hamburg , you can end your route in coach stations like Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof, Hamburg, S Hamburg Airport.Passengers board the coach most frequently from Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen), which is located around 13 km away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof, located 2 away from the city centre.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Cologne and Hamburg including taking a train, coach and flight.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Cologne to Hamburg for coach company FlixBus.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Cologne to Hamburg:
  • FlixBus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Cologne to Hamburg depends on the coach companies:
  • FlixBus
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company FlixBus.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Cologne to Hamburg.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Cologne to Hamburg:
  • FlixBus
    • One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Cologne to Hamburg:
  • FlixBus
    • Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the coach from Cologne to Hamburg. The following conditions apply:
  • FlixBus
    • Small pets in carriers allowed
    • guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Cologne to Hamburg with the following coach company: FlixBus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Cologne to Hamburg with the following coach company: FlixBus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Cologne to Hamburg with the following coach company: FlixBus.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Cologne and Hamburg

Most Cologne to Hamburg buses use the Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) to Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof station pair, with some services arriving at Hamburg, S Hamburg Airport. Use this guide to compare Cologne and Hamburg bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Cologne
Arrival bus stations in Hamburg

Which Cologne station do buses to Hamburg leave from?

Buses from Cologne to Hamburg leave from Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen). The station is 13 km from Cologne city centre at Kennedystrasse, Koln, Germany.
Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen)Kennedystrasse, Koln, GermanyWifiParkingATMAccessibilityWC
City-centre transport

Getting to Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) from Cologne city centre

Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) is 13 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainRe · 8m · £4 · every ~2 min
Rb26 · 12m · £4

Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) bus station facilities and services

Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Accessibility and WC.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen): Parking, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen): Elevators, ramps.

Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)Kennedystrasse, 51147 Koln, GermanyWifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) from Cologne city centre

Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) is 13 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainRe · 16m · £4 · every ~2 min
Rb26 · 20m · £4
Re · 21m · every ~2 min
BusS19, S12 · 27m · £5

Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) bus station facilities and services

Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance and baggage claim area.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2).

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2): Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2): Elevators, ramps.

Bus stations for Cologne to Hamburg

Check bus stations information for Cologne and Hamburg, including where buses depart and arrive on this route.

When departing from Cologne , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen), Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) . When arriving in Hamburg , you can end your route in coach stations like Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof, Hamburg, S Hamburg Airport.Passengers board the coach most frequently from Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen), which is located around 13 km away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof, located 3 away from the city centre.

More options for your journey from Cologne to Hamburg

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

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