The cheapest and fastest trains from Budapest to Cologne
Cheapest price
£45
Average price
£160
Fastest journey
11 h 25 m
Average duration
11 h 36 m
Trains per day
50
Distance
956 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Budapest to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Budapest to Cologne will cost around £160 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £45.
To travel from Budapest to Cologne you need to make at least 2 changes.
RJX 68 · ICE 61815:4014h24Budapest Keleti6:04Cologne Hbf£451One-way1 change
RJX 68 · ICE 698 · IC 6040215:4014h04Budapest Keleti5:44Cologne Hbf£451One-way2 changes
RJX 68 · ICE 698 · IC 6040215:3014h14Budapest Keleti5:44Cologne Hbf£731One-way2 changes
IC 842 · RJX 60 · ICE 562 · ICE 16497:3513h31Budapest-Deli21:06Cologne Hbf£821One-way3 changes
IC 864 · EC 142 · RJX 166 · EC 11410:3513h36Budapest-Deli0:11Cologne Hbf£821One-way4 changes
R 4592 · RJX 62 · ICE 592 · ICE 1029:4011h25Budapest-Deli21:05Cologne Hbf£1961One-way3 changes
RJX 62 · ICE 592 · ICE 1029:3011h35Budapest Keleti21:05Cologne Hbf£1961One-way2 changes
EC 342+
RJX 262+
ICE 106 · ICE 5965:3011h35Budapest Keleti17:05Cologne Hbf£2921One-way3 changes
RJX 62+
ICE 102 · ICE 5929:3011h35Budapest Keleti21:05Cologne Hbf£2951One-way2 changes
R 4502 · EC 140 · RJX 766 · ICE 1168:4011h49Budapest-Deli20:29Cologne Messe/Deutz£1451One-way4 changes
Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Budapest to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Budapest to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £46. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 27m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.3 - 0.9kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £46, and a flight costs an average of £75.
Distance: 956 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Coach |
|---|---|---|
£130 Average Price | £382 Average Price | £68 Average Price Cheapest |
13h 2m Average total duration 12h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 27m Average total duration Fastest 2h 27m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 18h 37m Average total duration 18h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.3 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.9 - 5.7kg CO2 emissions | 1.0 - 2.4kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Budapest to Cologne train times
The table below shows live departures for Budapest to Cologne trains for today, Sunday 24 May. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EC 342+ RJX 262+ ICE 596 · ICE 106 | On time 5:30 Budapest Keleti | 11h35 | 17:05 Cologne Hbf | 3 changes | |
EC 342+ RJX 262+ ICE 516 | On time 5:30 Budapest Keleti | 12h35 | 18:05 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
EC 342+ IC 546+ RE5+ ICE 224 | On time 5:30 Budapest Keleti | 13h13 | 18:43 Cologne Hbf | 3 changes | |
EC 342 · RJX 262 · ICE 516 · IC 1941 | On time 5:30 Budapest Keleti | 13h45 | 19:15 Cologne Hbf | 3 changes | |
EC 342 · RJX 262 · ICE 516 | On time 5:30 Budapest Keleti | 12h35 | 18:05 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
EC 342 · RJX 262 · ICE 596 · ICE 106 | On time 5:30 Budapest Keleti | 11h35 | 17:05 Cologne Hbf | 3 changes | |
RJX 162+ ICE 1224 | On time 6:30 Budapest Keleti | 13h35 | 20:05 Cologne Hbf | 1 change | |
RJX 162+ IC 548+ RJX 60+ ICE 594 | 6:30 Budapest Keleti | 12h35 | 19:05 Cologne Hbf | 4 changes | |
RJX 162 · RE5+ ICE 224 | On time 6:30 Budapest Keleti | 12h13 | 18:43 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
RJX 162 · ICE 118 · ICE 224 | On time 6:30 Budapest Keleti | 12h13 | 18:43 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
IC 860 · RJX 162 · ICE 1224 | On time 6:35 Budapest-Deli | 13h30 | 20:05 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
IC 860 · RJX 162 · ICE 118 · ICE 224 | On time 6:35 Budapest-Deli | 12h08 | 18:43 Cologne Hbf | 3 changes | |
RJX 60+ ICE 514 | On time 7:30 Budapest Keleti | 12h35 | 20:05 Cologne Hbf | 1 change | |
RJX 60+ ICE 594 · ICE 104 | On time 7:30 Budapest Keleti | 11h35 | 19:05 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
RJX 60 · ICE 514 | On time 7:30 Budapest Keleti | 12h35 | 20:05 Cologne Hbf | 1 change | |
IC 842 · RJX 60 · ICE 514 | On time 7:35 Budapest-Deli | 12h30 | 20:05 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
IC 842 · RJX 60 · ICE 562 · ICE 1649 | On time 7:35 Budapest-Deli | 13h41 | 21:16 Cologne Hbf | 3 changes | |
EC 140 · RJX 766 · ICE 116 · ICE 912 | On time 8:30 Budapest Keleti | 11h59 | 20:29 Cologne Messe/Deutz | 3 changes | |
EC 140+ IC 642+ RJX 62+ ICE 512 | On time 8:30 Budapest Keleti | 13h35 | 22:05 Cologne Hbf | 3 changes | |
EC 140+ RJX 766 · RE5+ ICE 912 | 8:30 Budapest Keleti | 12h09 | 20:39 Cologne Hbf | 4 changes | |
EC 140+ RJX 766 · RE5+ ICE 912 | On time 8:30 Budapest Keleti | 11h59 | 20:29 Cologne Messe/Deutz | 3 changes | |
EC 140+ IC 642+ RJX 62+ ICE 592 | On time 8:30 Budapest Keleti | 12h35 | 21:05 Cologne Hbf | 4 changes | |
R 4502 · EC 140 · RJX 766 · ICE 116 | On time 8:40 Budapest-Deli | 11h49 | 20:29 Cologne Messe/Deutz | 4 changes | |
R 4502 · EC 140 · RJX 766 · ICE 116 | On time 8:40 Budapest-Deli | 13h44 | 22:24 Cologne Hbf | 6 changes | |
RJX 62 · ICE 592 · ICE 102 | On time 9:30 Budapest Keleti | 11h35 | 21:05 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
RJX 62 · ICE 512 | On time 9:30 Budapest Keleti | 12h35 | 22:05 Cologne Hbf | 1 change | |
RJX 62+ ICE 512 | On time 9:30 Budapest Keleti | 12h35 | 22:05 Cologne Hbf | 1 change | |
RJX 62+ IC 644+ EC 114+ ICE 910 | On time 9:30 Budapest Keleti | 13h00 | 22:30 Cologne Hbf | 3 changes | |
RJX 62+ ICE 592 · ICE 102 | On time 9:30 Budapest Keleti | 11h35 | 21:05 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
R 4592 · RJX 62 · ICE 512 | On time 9:40 Budapest-Deli | 12h25 | 22:05 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
R 4592 · RJX 62 · ICE 512 · IC 2347 | Delayed 9:40 Budapest-Deli | 13h26 | 21:36 21:36Cologne Hbf | 3 changes | |
R 4592 · RJX 62 · ICE 592 · ICE 102 | On time 9:40 Budapest-Deli | 11h25 | 21:05 Cologne Hbf | 3 changes | |
EC 142+ IC 646+ RJX 64+ ICE 590 | 10:30 Budapest Keleti | 12h40 | 23:10 Cologne Hbf | 4 changes | |
EC 142+ RJX 166+ EC 114+ ICE 910 | 10:30 Budapest Keleti | 12h00 | 22:30 Cologne Hbf | 3 changes | |
RJX 64+ ICE 524 | 11:30 Budapest Keleti | 12h22 | 23:52 Cologne Hbf | 1 change | |
RJX 64+ ICE 590 · ICE 100 | 11:30 Budapest Keleti | 11h40 | 23:10 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
EC 146+ NJ 468+ IC 60402 | 14:40 Budapest Keleti | 15h04 | 5:44 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
RJX 68 · ICE 618 | On time 15:30 Budapest Keleti | 14h34 | 6:04 Cologne Hbf | 1 change | |
RJX 68+ NJ 468+ RJ 854 | On time 15:30 Budapest Keleti | 14h45 | 6:15 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
RJX 68 · ICE 618 | On time 15:40 Budapest Keleti | 14h24 | 6:04 Cologne Hbf | 1 change | |
RJX 68+ NJ 468+ IC 60402 | On time 15:40 Budapest Keleti | 14h04 | 5:44 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
RJX 68+ NJ 468+ RJ 854 | On time 15:40 Budapest Keleti | 15h19 | 6:59 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
RJX 68+ NJ 468+ IC 60402+ RJ 854 | On time 15:40 Budapest Keleti | 14h04 | 5:44 Cologne Hbf | 3 changes | |
RJ 270 · RJ 478 · ICE 946 | On time 17:30 Budapest-Nyugati | 17h05 | 10:35 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
EN 40462+ RJX 669 · RB54+ ICE 612 | 20:40 Budapest Keleti | 15h25 | 12:05 Cologne Hbf | 3 changes | |
EN 40462+ RJX 669 · RB54+ ICE 612 | 20:40 Budapest Keleti | 16h25 | 13:05 Cologne Hbf | 4 changes | |
| Monday 25 May | |||||
ER 62 · RE5+ ICE 916+ R 4980 | 1:25 Budapest-Deli | 15h04 | 16:29 Cologne Messe/Deutz | 5 changes | |
ER 62 · RE5+ ICE 916+ DB S19 | 1:25 Budapest-Deli | 15h14 | 16:39 Cologne Hbf | 6 changes | |
ER 62 · RJX 160 · RE5+ ICE 916 | 1:25 Budapest-Deli | 15h04 | 16:29 Cologne Messe/Deutz | 5 changes | |
ER 62 · RJX 160 · RE5+ ICE 916 | 1:25 Budapest-Deli | 15h14 | 16:39 Cologne Hbf | 6 changes | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Budapest to Cologne 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.
24 May
25 May
26 May
27 May
28 May
29 May
30 May
31 May
01 Jun
02 Jun
03 Jun
04 Jun
05 Jun
06 Jun
07 Jun
08 Jun
09 Jun
10 Jun
11 Jun
12 Jun
13 Jun
Why should you book Budapest to Cologne 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 ÖBB | Nightjet, EuroNight, ÖBB | ICE or ÖBB to find the best option for your trip from Budapest to Cologne.
- 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 Budapest to Cologne.
Why book with Omio over Trainline or Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Budapest to Cologne.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Budapest to Cologne?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Budapest to Cologne
Trains from Budapest to Cologne run on average 13 times per day, taking around 12h 32m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £47 but you can travel from only £46 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 956 km distance in 11h 30m.
Distance 956 km |
Average train duration 12h 32m |
Cheapest ticket price £47 |
Trains per day 13 |
Fastest train 11h 30m |
First train 0:01 |
Last train 23:58 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 35 days |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | Nightjet, EuroNight, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB, ÖBB | InterCity, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), ÖBB | Railjet, RegioJet a.s. from Budapest to Cologne trainsDeutsche Bahn, ÖBB | Nightjet, EuroNight, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB, ÖBB | InterCity, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), ÖBB | Railjet, RegioJet a.s. trains will get you between Budapest and Cologne from £46. 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.
ÖBB | Nightjet
ÖBB | ICE
ÖBB
ÖBB | InterCity
ÖBB | Euro City (EC)
ÖBB | Railjet
RegioJet a.s.
EuroNight
FAQs: Budapest to Cologne train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Budapest to Cologne 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, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Budapest and Cologne
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7, accessible from Kerepesi út.
- Rosenstein Restaurant
- Huszar Restaurant
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- HUF 200
- Hotel Hungaria City Center
- Baross City Hotel
- Royal Park Boutique Hotel
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-6 for international and intercity trains
- Hall 2: platforms 7-13 for regional trains
- Hall 3: platforms 14-18 for suburban trains
- Metro: Line M2, Line M4
- Bus: Several lines available
- Tram: Line 24
- Mon - Sun: 06:00-10:00, 10:20-14:00, 14:25- 17:35
- Located in the passenger hall, approaching the entrance near the international checkout to the left.
- Déli Terasz Söröző
- Ibrahim török büfé
- Vagon Etterem
- Fornetti
- Trio pizza
- Turkish Döner KEBAB
- Déli Mosoly
- Balatonexpressz Étkezőkocsi
- Club D One
- Lokomotív Falatozó
- There are some accessible features including ramps and elevators.
- Mercure Budapest Castle Hill
- Christina Residence Budapest
- ibis Budapest Castle Hill
- Mon - Sun: 06:00-10:00, 10:20-14:00, 14:25- 17:35
- Located in the passenger hall of the train station, next to the international ticket offices.
- Metro lines: M2 (red)
- Tram lines: 17, 56, 56A, 59, 59A, 59B, 61
- Bus lines: 21, 21A, 39, 102, 139, 140, 140A, N960, N990
- Train lines: IC, IR, S (10, 12, 30, 34, 35, 40, 42), Z30
- 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, with access from Etele tér.
- Restaurant Etele Plaza
- KFC Etele Plaza
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- HUF 200
- Hotel Griff
- Hotel Ventura
- Hotel Berlin
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-8 for international and domestic long-distance trains
- Hall 2: regional and suburban train platforms
- Hall 3: Metro and tram connections
- Metro: Line M4
- Tram: Line 1, Line 19, Line 49
- Bus: Several lines available
- Mon - Fri: 06:00 - 21:00
- Sat - Sun: 07:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only.
- There are luggage lockers in the station.
- asiagourmet
- Coffee Fellows
- dean&david
- Dunkin' Donuts
- KFC
- McDonald's
- Pizza Hut
- Nordsee
- Starbucks
- Schweinske
- & more
- Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
- Wyndham Koeln
- Hilton Cologne
- Excelsior Hotel Ernst
- One near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5.
- Monday: 06:00 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Thursday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Saturday: 08:00 - 17:00
- Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00
- Imbiss Athena
- Arena Grill
- Cafe Especial
- Joe Champs
- Pension Helenenwall
- Zur guten Quelle
- Zum Goldenen Hut
- Merlin
- Monday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Tuesday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Wednesday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Thursday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Friday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Saturday: 09:00 13:30 - 13:00 16:00
- Sunday: 12:00 16:00 - 15:30 20:00
- Café Bistro Leysieffer
- Mishba
- Ständige Vertretung
- Kamps
Most popular train connections from Budapest
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