- Must visit
Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
Museum of antiquities with Egyptian, Greek and Roman treasures, clear interpretation and strong temporary exhibitions.
Cheapest price on 02 Sept
£18
Average ticket price on 02 Sept
£18
Fastest journey on 02 Sept
4 h 40 m
Average journey duration on 02 Sept
4 h 40 m
Buses on 02 Sept
1
Distance
218 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cologne to Leiden is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Leiden will cost around £18 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £18.
On Wed 02 Sept, we found 1 buses from Cologne to Leiden, including 1 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 218 km distance in an average of 4 h 40 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 40 m .
The slowest buses will take 4 h 40 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.
(Prague -> Amsterdam)
(Prague -> Amsterdam)Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Leiden among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £14 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 57m. 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 £14, while a flight costs an average of £285.
Distance: 218 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£14 Average Price Cheapest | £42 Average Price | £285 Average Price | £44 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 5m Average total duration 5h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 57m Average total duration Fastest 3h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 37m Average total duration 7h 37m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 17m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Leiden:
A coach is £28 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Leiden costing on average £42.
A coach is £271 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Leiden costing on average £285.
Other travel options to Leiden take longer:
Coach takes on average 5h 35m.
Flight takes on average 7h 37m.
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Leiden coaches for tomorrow, Wednesday 2 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(Prague -> Amsterdam) | 8:05 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 4h40 | 12:45 Den Haag, Centraal Station | 0 changesdirect | |
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 Leiden run on average 2 times per day, taking around 5h 35m. 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 00:25, the last at 23:50. The fastest coach covers the 218 km distance in 4h 40m.
Distance 218 km |
Average bus duration 5h 35m |
Cheapest ticket price £13 |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 4h 40m |
First bus 0:25 |
Last bus 23:50 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Discover the best of Leiden — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Leiden trip today.
Museum of antiquities with Egyptian, Greek and Roman treasures, clear interpretation and strong temporary exhibitions.
Fine art museum in a former cloth hall, with Old Masters, modern works and strong links to Leiden painters.
Major ethnology museum with global collections, thoughtful exhibitions and family-friendly displays on world cultures.
The Netherlands’ oldest botanical garden, prized for historic greenhouses, rare plants and a peaceful city-centre setting.
Historic canal street with bridges, warehouses and inviting waterside walks, popular for its classic Leiden atmosphere.
Tree-lined canal walk on Leiden’s old fortifications, ideal for strolling past gates, water views and historic buildings.
Spiced biscuit from nearby Leiden, flavoured with cinnamon and cloves. It is a classic regional bakery treat with roots in local trading history.
Firm cow's milk cheese from Leiden, traditionally seasoned with cumin. It is one of the city's best-known historic foods and a classic Dutch market buy.
Creamy mashed potatoes mixed with carrots and onions, often served in Dutch homes. It is a comforting traditional meal popular across Leiden and the region.
Historic waterside restaurant known for French-Dutch dishes and a refined but relaxed atmosphere in central Leiden.
Long-running Leiden favourite for generous pancakes in a warm, traditional setting close to the historic centre.
Stylish restaurant by the water serving seasonal French-influenced cooking in an elegant converted industrial setting.
Moderate for the Netherlands. Hotels and dining are pricier than smaller Dutch towns, but local buses, trains and supermarket food help keep daily costs manageable.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for good restaurant service. Taxis are often rounded up. In cafés, small change or rounding up is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Leiden 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 Leiden, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cologne to Leiden buses use the Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) to Den Haag, Centraal Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Cologne and Leiden bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
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.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need