The cheapest and fastest trains from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf
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
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.
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.
ICE 31716:321h43Brussels-North18:15Cologne Hbf£221One-way0 changes
IC 3618 · ICE 31319:202h04Brussels-North21:24Cologne Hbf£251One-way1 change
ICE 1918:341h41Brussels-North20:15Cologne Hbf£251One-way0 changes
ICE 1714:341h41Brussels-North16:15Cologne Hbf£271One-way0 changes
ICE 116:311h45Brussels-North8:16Cologne Hbf£291One-way0 changes
ICE 1510:341h41Brussels-North12:15Cologne Hbf£541One-way0 changes
ICE 1714:341h41Brussels-North16:15Cologne Hbf£271One-way0 changes
ICE 31512:341h41Brussels-North14:15Cologne Hbf£311One-way0 changes
ICE 1918:341h41Brussels-North20:15Cologne Hbf£251One-way0 changes
ICE 138:341h42Brussels-North10:16Cologne Hbf£541One-way0 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 |
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.
Other travel options to Cologne Hbf take longer:
Coach takes on average 3h 20m.
Flight takes on average 6h 29m.
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.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IC 522 · R 5005 · 26809 | 0:31 Brussels-North | 7h13 | 7:44 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
ICE 11 | On time 6:31 Brussels-North | 1h45 | 8:16 Cologne Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 13 | On time 8:34 Brussels-North | 1h42 | 10:16 Cologne Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 15 | On time 10:34 Brussels-North | 1h41 | 12:15 Cologne Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
IC 3610 · ICE 311 | On time 11:20 Brussels-North | 2h04 | 13:24 Cologne Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 315 | On time 12:34 Brussels-North | 1h41 | 14:15 Cologne Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 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.
15 Sept
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28 Sept
Why should you book Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf trains with Omio?
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
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.
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 |
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
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.
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.
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.
Eurostar
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
SNCB
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.

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.
Getting to Brussels-Nord from Brussels city centre
Brussels-Nord is 1 km from Brussels city centre. Public transport options include:
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.
Getting to Köln Hbf from Cologne city centre
Köln Hbf is 1 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:
Köln Hbf train station facilities and services
Köln Hbf has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink
Food options include: asiagourmet, Coffee Fellows, dean&david, Dunkin' Donuts, KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Nordsee, Starbucks, Schweinske, & more
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only. ATMs are available at Köln Hbf.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Köln Hbf. Information desks are one near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5.
Luggage and lost property
Luggage storage is there are luggage lockers in the station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Köln Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Köln Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Köln Hbf: Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include Wyndham Koeln, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst.
More options for your journey from Brussels-North to Cologne Hbf
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
