Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf train with Deutsche Bahn (ICE,IC,RE,EC)

Fri 18 Sept
+ Add return
Deutsche Bahn
FlixTrain
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
Regionale
2,000+ travel companies
Deutsche Bahn
FlixTrain
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
Regionale
2,000+ travel companies
QR-Code
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
rate4.9
42K ratings
Google Play
rate4.6
136K reviews

The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept

Cheapest price on 18 Sept

£37

Average ticket price on 18 Sept

£137

Fastest journey on 18 Sept

5 h 50 m

Average journey duration on 18 Sept

6 h 1 m

Trains on 18 Sept

24

Distance

474 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf will cost around £137 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £37.

Fast trains

On Fri 18 Sept, we found 24 trains from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf, including 5 direct services.

These direct trains cover the 474 km distance in an average of 6 h 1 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 50 m .

The slowest trains will take 6 h 12 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.

  • FlixTrainFlixTrain
    16:146h52
    Cologne Hbf
    23:06Dresden Hbf
    £371One-way
    0 changes
  • Deutsche BahnICE 957 · ICE 609 · 16501
    19:389h56
    Cologne Hbf
    5:34Dresden Hbf
    £841One-way
    2 changes
  • Deutsche BahnICE 853 · 21857 · IC 2175
    5:386h50
    Cologne Hbf
    12:28Dresden Hbf
    £931One-way
    2 changes
  • Deutsche BahnICE 19 · ICE 590 · 16501
    20:189h16
    Cologne Hbf
    5:34Dresden Hbf
    £931One-way
    2 changes
  • Deutsche BahnIC 2445
    5:117h27
    Cologne Hbf
    12:38Dresden Hbf
    £1051One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf

Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £36 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 13m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £36, while a flight costs an average of £407.

Distance: 474 km

Compare train with

Train
Most popular
Flight
Coach
Driving

£89

Average Price

£407

Average Price

£36

Average Price

Cheapest

£74

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

6h 50m

Average total duration

6h 20m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 13m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 13m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

9h 41m

Average total duration

9h 11m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 28m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf is a coach with an average price of £36.

This is compared to other travel options from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf:

A coach is £53 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf costing on average £89.

A coach is £371 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf costing on average £407.

The fastest way to travel from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf is by flight with an average journey time of 2h 13m.

Other travel options to Dresden Hbf take longer:

Train takes on average 6h 20m.

Coach takes on average 9h 11m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Cologne Hbf and Dresden Hbf including taking a train, coach and flight.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.

Tickets start at around £89 compared to roughly £74 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-14.66. The journey takes 6h 20m versus 5h 28m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.

Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.

Live departures

Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf train times

The table below shows live departures for Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf trains for tomorrow, Friday 18 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Deutsche BahnICE 541 · RJ 173
On time
4:16 Cologne Hbf
6h51
11:07 Dresden Hbf
1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 521 · ICE 696 · S35 · 16513
On time
4:28 Cologne Hbf
7h06
11:34 Dresden Hbf
3 changes
Deutsche BahnIC 2445
On time
5:11 Cologne Hbf
7h27
12:38 Dresden Hbf
0 changesdirect
Deutsche BahnICE 853 · 21857 · IC 2175
On time
5:38 Cologne Hbf
6h50
12:28 Dresden Hbf
2 changes
Deutsche BahnICE 511 · ICE 1555
On time
5:48 Cologne Hbf
5h55
11:43 Dresden Hbf
1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 553 · RJ 175
On time
6:45 Cologne Hbf
6h22
13:07 Dresden Hbf
1 change
Deutsche BahnIC 2443
On time
7:11 Cologne Hbf
7h27
14:38 Dresden Hbf
0 changesdirect
Deutsche BahnICE 855 · 21873 · IC 2177
On time
7:38 Cologne Hbf
6h50
14:28 Dresden Hbf
2 changes
Deutsche BahnICE 513 · ICE 1557
On time
7:54 Cologne Hbf
5h50
13:44 Dresden Hbf
1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 1513 · ICE 692 · IC 2443
On time
8:29 Cologne Hbf
6h09
14:38 Dresden Hbf
2 changes
Deutsche BahnS6 · ICE 529 · ICE 692 · IC 2443
On time
8:37 Cologne Hbf
6h01
14:38 Dresden Hbf
3 changes
Deutsche BahnICE 555 · RJ 383
On time
8:44 Cologne Hbf
6h23
15:07 Dresden Hbf
1 change
Deutsche BahnIC 2441
On time
9:11 Cologne Hbf
7h27
16:38 Dresden Hbf
0 changesdirect
Deutsche BahnICE 121 · ICE 1559
On time
9:19 Cologne Hbf
6h24
15:43 Dresden Hbf
1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 857 · 21889 · IC 2179
On time
9:38 Cologne Hbf
6h50
16:28 Dresden Hbf
2 changes
Deutsche BahnICE 857 · IC 2441
On time
9:38 Cologne Hbf
7h00
16:38 Dresden Hbf
1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 557 · RJ 177
On time
10:44 Cologne Hbf
6h23
17:07 Dresden Hbf
1 change
Deutsche BahnIC 2049
On time
11:11 Cologne Hbf
7h27
18:38 Dresden Hbf
0 changesdirect
Deutsche BahnICE 225 · ICE 1651
On time
11:20 Cologne Hbf
6h23
17:43 Dresden Hbf
1 change
Deutsche Bahn28514 · ICE 625 · ICE 1651
On time
11:31 Cologne Hbf
6h12
17:43 Dresden Hbf
2 changes
FlixTrainFlixTrain16:14 Cologne Hbf
6h52
23:06 Dresden Hbf0 changesdirect
Deutsche BahnICE 127 · ICE 1657
On time
17:19 Cologne Hbf
6h26
23:45 Dresden Hbf
1 change

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Cologne Hbf to Dresden 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.

Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept

Why should you book Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf trains with Omio?

Deutsche Bahn as well as FlixTrain offer trains services from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cologne Hbf to Dresden 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 FlixTrain to find the best option for your trip from Cologne Hbf to Dresden 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 Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf.

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 Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf

GermanyGermany
GermanyGermany
Icon of train

Trains from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf run on average 8 times per day, taking around 6h 20m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £9 if you book in advance.

There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 02:28, the last at 21:57. The fastest train covers the 474 km distance in 5h 7m.

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
Distance
474 km
Average train duration
6h 20m
Cheapest ticket price
£9
Trains per day
8
Direct trains
1
Fastest train
5h 7m
First train
2:28
Last train
21:57
Cheapest Month
Jul
Cheapest Day
Thu
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Wed
Least Busy Day
Mon
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

Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf trainsDeutsche Bahn, FlixTrain trains will get you between Cologne Hbf and Dresden Hbf from £9. 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
5h 7m
Cheapest Deutsche Bahn Price
£16
Deutsche Bahn frequency
6 a day
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

What's included in each class

Compare Deutsche Bahn classes and the amenities included in each one.

1st Class
  • Power plugs
  • Wide seats
  • Extra legroom
  • Quiet zone
  • WC
2nd Class
  • Power plugs
  • WC

FlixTrain

About
FlixTrain is a German railway company owned by FlixMobility, the parent company of FlixBus. Since 2018, it has connected major German cities such as Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, Berlin, and Frankfurt, and also operates routes in Sweden, including Stockholm to Gothenburg. All FlixTrain services run on 100% renewable energy. Onboard facilities include air conditioning, toilets, USB ports, power outlets, generous legroom, and free Wi-Fi on most trains. Food and drinks are available, and every ticket guarantees a seat. Passengers can bring luggage free of charge, provided it fits in the racks. Popular German routes include Berlin–Hamburg, Frankfurt–Stuttgart, and Cologne–Hamburg, offering a sustainable and comfortable way to travel
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average FlixTrain Duration
6h 52m
Cheapest FlixTrain Price
£9
FlixTrain frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
1 piece of hand luggage (max 7kg) and 1 piece of luggage (max 20kg)
Luggage storage
Overhead racks and designated luggage areas
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation possible according to ticket type conditions
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled by operator
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Snacks and drinks available for purchase from onboard service
Seat reservation
Seat reservation included in ticket price
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets available
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed free, larger dogs require paid ticket and muzzle
Quiet zone

FAQs: Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf train

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

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £9, while the average price tends to be around £89.
The train journey from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf covers a distance of 474 km and takes approximately 5h 7m. Trains run 8 per day.
The train distance from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf is 474 km.
The first train from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf leaves at 2:28.
The last train from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf departs at 21:57.
Trains from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf run approximately 8 times per day.
Yes, there is a direct train between Cologne Hbf and Dresden Hbf. The service operates 1 times per day, provided by FlixTrain.
To get from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf, you can choose from several travel options including train, coach and flight.
There is no night train service from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf.
The cheapest way to get from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf is by train, costing approximately £9.
Booking trains from Cologne Hbf to Dresden 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 Köln Hbf to Dresden Hauptbahnhof is moderately scenic, offering views of the Rhine Valley, rolling hills, and picturesque German countryside, especially between Köln and Frankfurt.
A day trip from Köln Hbf to Dresden Hauptbahnhof is not feasible, as the journey takes 5h 7m. Trains run 11 times per day.
Yes, you can take the train from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Cologne Hbf and Dresden Hbf

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

Departure train stations in Cologne
Arrival train stations in Dresden
Köln HbfTrankgasse 11, 50667 Cologne, GermanyWifiLockersShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Köln Hbf from Cologne city centre

Köln Hbf is 1 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainRb26 · 16m · £6 · every ~3 min
BusIvano-Frankivsk · 20m
Subway16 · 46m · £5 · every ~9 min
18, 16 · 51m · £5 · every ~14 min

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.

Most popular trains to and from Dresden Hbf and Cologne Hbf

HomeTrainsTrains in GermanyCologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf train

The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy

We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.

ios-badge
android-badge
Hand With Phone