Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf train with Deutsche Bahn (ICE,IC)

Tue 15 Sept
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Deutsche Bahn
Eurostar
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
SNCB
Avanti West Coast
2,000+ travel companies
Deutsche Bahn
Eurostar
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
SNCB
Avanti West Coast
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 15 Sept

Cheapest price on 15 Sept

£22

Average ticket price on 15 Sept

£35

Fastest journey on 15 Sept

1 h 41 m

Average journey duration on 15 Sept

1 h 41 m

Trains on 15 Sept

10

Distance

182 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf will cost around £35 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £22.

Fast trains

On Tue 15 Sept, we found 10 trains from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf, including 7 direct services.

These direct trains cover the 182 km distance in an average of 1 h 41 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 41 m .

The slowest trains will take 1 h 42 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.

  • Deutsche BahnICE 317
    16:321h43
    Brussels-North
    18:15Cologne Hbf
    £221One-way
    0 changes
  • Deutsche BahnIC 3618 · ICE 313
    19:202h04
    Brussels-North
    21:24Cologne Hbf
    £251One-way
    1 change
  • Deutsche BahnICE 19
    18:341h41
    Brussels-North
    20:15Cologne Hbf
    £251One-way
    0 changes
  • Deutsche BahnICE 17
    14:341h41
    Brussels-North
    16:15Cologne Hbf
    £271One-way
    0 changes
  • Deutsche BahnICE 11
    6:311h45
    Brussels-North
    8:16Cologne Hbf
    £291One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf 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 2h 23m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £21, while a flight costs an average of £276.

Distance: 182 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach
Flight
Driving

£49

Average Price

£21

Average Price

Cheapest

£276

Average Price

£34

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

2h 23m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 53m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 50m

Average total duration

3h 20m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

8h 29m

Average total duration

6h 29m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

2h 17m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf is a coach with an average price of £21.

This is compared to other travel options from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf:

A coach is £28 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf costing on average £49.

A coach is £255 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf costing on average £276.

The fastest way to travel from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf is by train with an average journey time of 1h 53m.

Other travel options to Cologne Hbf take longer:

Coach takes on average 3h 20m.

Flight takes on average 6h 29m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Brussels-North and Cologne Hbf including taking a train, coach and flight.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 24m sooner (1h 53m by train vs 2h 17m by car). Tickets start at around £49 compared to roughly £34 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.

Direct services run with Deutsche Bahn.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.

Live departures

Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf train times

The table below shows live departures for Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf trains for tomorrow, Tuesday 15 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Deutsche BahnIC 522 · R 5005 · 268090:31 Brussels-North
7h13
7:44 Cologne Hbf2 changes
Deutsche BahnICE 11
On time
6:31 Brussels-North
1h45
8:16 Cologne Hbf
0 changesdirect
Deutsche BahnICE 13
On time
8:34 Brussels-North
1h42
10:16 Cologne Hbf
0 changesdirect
Deutsche BahnICE 15
On time
10:34 Brussels-North
1h41
12:15 Cologne Hbf
0 changesdirect
Deutsche BahnIC 3610 · ICE 311
On time
11:20 Brussels-North
2h04
13:24 Cologne Hbf
1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 315
On time
12:34 Brussels-North
1h41
14:15 Cologne Hbf
0 changesdirect
Deutsche BahnICE 17
On time
14:34 Brussels-North
1h41
16:15 Cologne Hbf
0 changesdirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf by train, coach or flight

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.

Tue
15 Sept
Wed
16 Sept
Thu
17 Sept
Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept
Fri
25 Sept
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26 Sept
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27 Sept
Mon
28 Sept

Why should you book Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf trains with Omio?

Deutsche Bahn as well as Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), SNCB and more offer trains services from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf.

Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn, but also compare tickets for the likes of Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) or SNCB to find the best option for your trip from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf.
  • 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 Deutsche Bahn with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf.

Why book with Omio over Trainline, Wanderu or Rome2rio?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) or SNCB to find the best option for your trip from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf

BelgiumBelgium
GermanyGermany
Icon of train

Trains from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf run on average 3 times per day, taking around 1h 53m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £21 but you can travel from only £12 by coach.

There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:31, the last at 18:34. The fastest train covers the 182 km distance in 1h 41m.

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
Coach from £12
Distance
182 km
Average train duration
1h 53m
Cheapest ticket price
£21
Trains per day
3
Direct trains
3
Fastest train
1h 41m
First train
4:31
Last train
18:34
Cheapest Month
Nov
Cheapest Day
Sat
High Season
Jan - Mar
Low Season
Jul - Sept
Busiest Day
Sat
Least Busy Day
Fri
Best time to book
21 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
Coach from £12

Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), SNCB from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf trainsDeutsche Bahn, Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), SNCB trains will get you between Brussels-North and Cologne Hbf from £12. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Deutsche Bahn

About
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany’s main train operator, running around 40,000 domestic and international services each day. Its fleet includes a variety of train types: high-speed ICE (Intercity Express) trains, reaching up to 300 km/h; IC (Intercity) and EC (EuroCity) trains for long-distance travel; and IRE (Interregio-Express), RE (Regional Express), and RB (Regionalbahn) services for regional and local connections. While bathrooms are standard on all trains, amenities such as onboard restaurants and free Wi-Fi are available only on certain train types and routes. DB offers a wide range of fares, including Super Saver, Saver, and Flexible tickets, along with discount cards like the BahnCard 25, 50, and 100. Additional options include single tickets, day tickets, and group tickets. Popular routes include Berlin–Munich, Hamburg–Frankfurt, Cologne–Stuttgart, Berlin–Dresden, and Hamburg–Cologne, as well as numerous regional services across Germany.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Deutsche Bahn Duration
1h 41m
Cheapest Deutsche Bahn Price
£22
Luggage included
Passengers are allowed to bring hand luggage and one additional larger item free of charge, provided they can carry it themselves
Luggage storage
Luggage can be stored in overhead racks, under the seat, or in designated luggage areas near the doors or in the middle of the carriage.
Cancellation Policy
Tickets can be canceled based on their fare conditions as mentioned in what type of train tickets are refundable?
Refund
If DB cancels a train, passengers are entitled to a full refund of the ticket price.
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Most ICE and many IC/EC trains have:
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
Seat reservation
Second Class:
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
DB trains are equipped with facilities for passengers with reduced mobility, including wheelchair spaces, accessible restrooms, and assistance services.
Pets
Small pets (e.g. cats, small dogs, etc.):
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.
Quiet zone

Eurostar

About
Eurostar is a high-speed international rail service connecting the UK with France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, primarily via the Channel Tunnel. Since merging with Thalys in October 2023, Eurostar now operates an expanded network across Western Europe. Known for its city-center to city-center travel, Eurostar offers a convenient and environmentally friendly alternative to flying. Passengers can enjoy amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi and power sockets at every seat. Key destinations include London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne, with seasonal services to other locations.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Eurostar Duration
1h 50m
Cheapest Eurostar Price
£21
Eurostar frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 small hand luggage included in standard ticket
Luggage storage
Dedicated luggage areas at the end of carriages and overhead racks
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies depend on ticket type and timing of cancellation
Refund
Full refund provided for canceled trains
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Café-bar serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, and light meals. First-class passengers receive complimentary meals on some routes
Seat reservation
Included in ticket price for all classes
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, and assistance for boarding/disembarking available
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed for a fee. Large dogs not permitted except guide dogs
Quiet zone

Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) Duration
2h 20m
Cheapest Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) Price
£49
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) frequency
6 a day

SNCB

About
SNCB is Belgium’s national railway company and the country’s main train operator, offering First Class and Second Class tickets. It runs a variety of services, including Intercity trains for the fastest domestic connections, Interregio trains with more local stops, and international options such as EuroCity, Thalys, and ICE International. Thalys trains connect Belgium with France, Germany, and the Netherlands at high speed, while EuroCity and ICE International link Belgium to Germany and other European destinations. Onboard facilities typically include comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and power outlets. Popular routes include Brussels to Antwerp, Brussels to Bruges, Brussels to Ghent, and Brussels to Liège.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average SNCB Duration
3h 8m
Cheapest SNCB Price
£29
SNCB frequency
1 a day

FAQs: Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cologne Hbf, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £21, while the average price tends to be around £49.
The train journey from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf covers a distance of 182 km and takes approximately 1h 41m. Trains run 3 per day.
The train distance from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf is 182 km.
The first train from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf leaves at 4:31.
The last train from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf departs at 18:34.
Trains from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf run approximately 3 times per day.
Yes, there is a direct train between Brussels-North and Cologne Hbf. The service operates 3 times per day, provided by Deutsche Bahn.
To get from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf, you can choose from several travel options including train, coach and flight.
There is no night train service from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf.
The cheapest way to get from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf is by coach, costing approximately £12.
Booking trains from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Brussels-Nord to Köln Hbf offers scenic views, particularly as it passes through the picturesque countryside of Belgium and Germany, including charming villages, rolling hills, and dense forests, providing a pleasant visual experience for travellers.
Yes, a day trip from Brussels-Nord to Köln Hbf is feasible. The journey takes 1h 41m and covers a distance of 182 km. There are 6 trains per day.
Yes, you can take the train from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Brussels-North and Cologne Hbf

Most Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf trains use the Bruxelles-Midi to Köln Hbf station pair. Use this guide to compare Brussels-North and Cologne Hbf train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Brussels
Arrival train stations in Cologne
Brussels-NordRue du Progrès 76, Vooruitgangstraat 76, 1030 Schaerbeek, BelgiumWifiLockersParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation DeskLuggage Carts
City-centre transport

Getting to Brussels-Nord from Brussels city centre

Brussels-Nord is 1 km from Brussels city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainP, S3, Ec, T, Ic, Ext, L, S1, S10, S4, S2, S8 · 4m · £0.90 · every ~58 min
Bus88 · 6m · £3 · every ~10 min
R24, 728, R28 · 7m · £3 · every ~10 min
Tram4, 10 · 4m · £3 · every ~34 min
10, 4 · 5m · £3 · every ~34 min

Brussels-Nord train station facilities and services

Brussels-Nord has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.

Food and drink

Food options include: Chabrol Brasserie, Winok Café, Félix Wine Bar

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free. ATMs are available in the train station.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Brussels-Nord. Information desks are located in the main hall.

Luggage and lost property

Luggage storage is available at Brussels-Nord. Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Brussels-Nord: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Brussels-Nord: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Brussels-Nord: Elevators, ramps.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Hotel Progress, Hilton Brussels City, Hotel Siru.

More options for your journey from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf

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

HomeTrainsTrains in GermanyBrussels-North to Cologne Hbf train

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