Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona train with Deutsche Bahn (ICE,IC)

Sat 21 Mar
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Deutsche Bahn
Trans Regio Deutsche Regionalbahn GmbH
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
Great Western Rail
Avanti West Coast
2,000+ travel companies
Deutsche Bahn
Trans Regio Deutsche Regionalbahn GmbH
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
Great Western Rail
Avanti West Coast
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona

Showing times and prices for 21 Mar

Cheapest price

£51

Average price

£74

Fastest journey

4 h 18 m

Average duration

4 h 21 m

Trains per day

18

Distance

354 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona 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 Hamburg Altona will cost around £74 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £51.

Fast trains

Of the 18 trains that leave Cologne Hbf for Hamburg Altona every day 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct trains cover the 354 km distance in an average of 4 h 21 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 18 m .

The slowest trains will take 4 h 24 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 1541+Metronom82856+Deutsche BahnS3
23:277h01
Cologne Hbf
06:28Hamburg Altona
£511One-way
2 changes
Deutsche BahnS19 · ICE 106
17:014h33
Cologne Hbf
21:34Hamburg Altona
£581One-way
1 change
Deutsche BahnS19 · ICE 104
19:014h33
Cologne Hbf
23:34Hamburg Altona
£581One-way
1 change
Deutsche BahnS19 · ICE 518
16:014h33
Cologne Hbf
20:34Hamburg Altona
£581One-way
1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 645 · ICE 584 · S3
18:254h53
Cologne Hbf
23:18Hamburg Altona
£641One-way
2 changes

Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £10. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 5m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £10, and a flight costs an average of £185.

Distance: 354 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Flight
Coach

£28

Average Price

£446

Average Price

£24

Average Price

Cheapest

4h 46m

Average total duration

4h 16m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 5m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 5m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

7h 58m

Average total duration

7h 28m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Live departures

Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona train times

The table below shows live departures for Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona trains for today, Friday 20 March. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at 18:59
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
deutsche_bahnICE 514
Delayed
19:14 19:11Cologne Hbf
4h23
23:34 Hamburg Altona
0 changesdirect
deutsche_bahnICE 647+metronom82848 · 81600+deutsche_bahnS3
On time
20:26 Cologne Hbf
6h22
02:48 Hamburg Altona
3 changes
deutsche_bahnICE 1541+metronom82856+deutsche_bahnS3
On time
22:27 Cologne Hbf
7h01
05:28 Hamburg Altona
2 changes
Saturday 21 March
deutsche_bahnICE 206
On time
06:11 Cologne Hbf
4h23
10:34 Hamburg Altona
0 changesdirect
deutsche_bahnIC 2310 · S3
On time
06:44 Cologne Hbf
4h24
11:08 Hamburg Altona
1 change
deutsche_bahnS12 · ICE 616
On time
07:01 Cologne Hbf
4h33
11:34 Hamburg Altona
1 change
deutsche_bahnICE 1036
On time
07:44 Cologne Hbf
4h18
12:02 Hamburg Altona
0 changesdirect
deutsche_bahnICE 1747 · ICE 612
On time
11:01 Cologne Hbf
4h33
15:34 Hamburg Altona
1 change
deutsche_bahnICE 1032
On time
11:45 Cologne Hbf
4h18
16:03 Hamburg Altona
0 changesdirect
deutsche_bahn89716 · ICE 200
On time
11:57 Cologne Hbf
4h37
16:34 Hamburg Altona
1 change
deutsche_bahnS19 · ICE 610
On time
13:01 Cologne Hbf
4h33
17:34 Hamburg Altona
1 change
deutsche_bahnICE 641 · ICE 588 · S3
On time
13:26 Cologne Hbf
4h52
18:18 Hamburg Altona
2 changes
deutsche_bahnS19 · ICE 518
On time
15:01 Cologne Hbf
4h33
19:34 Hamburg Altona
1 change
deutsche_bahnICE 643 · ICE 586 · S3
On time
15:26 Cologne Hbf
4h52
20:18 Hamburg Altona
2 changes
deutsche_bahnS19 · ICE 106
On time
16:01 Cologne Hbf
4h33
20:34 Hamburg Altona
1 change
deutsche_bahnS19 · ICE 516
On time
17:01 Cologne Hbf
4h32
21:33 Hamburg Altona
1 change
deutsche_bahnICE 645 · ICE 584 · S3
On time
17:25 Cologne Hbf
4h53
22:18 Hamburg Altona
2 changes
deutsche_bahnS19 · ICE 104
On time
18:01 Cologne Hbf
4h33
22:34 Hamburg Altona
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 Hamburg Altona 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.

Sat
21 Mar
Sun
22 Mar
Mon
23 Mar
Tue
24 Mar
Wed
25 Mar
Thu
26 Mar
Fri
27 Mar

Why should you book Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona trains with Omio?

Deutsche Bahn as well as Trans Regio Deutsche Regionalbahn GmbH or Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) offer trains services from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona.

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 Trans Regio Deutsche Regionalbahn GmbH or Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) to find the best option for your trip from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona.
  • 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 Hamburg Altona.

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 Hamburg Altona.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona

GermanyGermany
GermanyGermany
Icon of train

Trains from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona run on average 13 times per day, taking around 4h 16m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £16 but you can travel from only £10 by coach.

There are 7 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:41, the last at 22:27. The fastest train covers the 354 km distance in 4h 6m.

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 £10
Distance
354 km
Average train duration
4h 16m
Cheapest ticket price
£16
Trains per day
13
Direct trains
7
Fastest train
4h 6m
First train
00:41
Last train
22:27
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 £10

Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, Trans Regio Deutsche Regionalbahn GmbH, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona trainsDeutsche Bahn, Trans Regio Deutsche Regionalbahn GmbH, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) trains will get you between Cologne Hbf and Hamburg Altona from £10. 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 Duration
4h 15m
Cheapest Price
£16
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

Trans Regio Deutsche Regionalbahn GmbH

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
4h 28m
Cheapest Price
£71
Trans Regio Deutsche Regionalbahn GmbH frequency
12 a day

Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
4h 17m
Cheapest Price
£63
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) frequency
3 a day

FAQs: Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona train

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

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £16, while the average price tends to be around £28.
The train journey from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona covers a distance of 354 km and takes approximately 4h 6m. Trains run 13 per day.
The train distance from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona is 354 km.
The first train from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona leaves at 0:41.
The last train from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona departs at 22:27.
Trains from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona run approximately 13 times per day.
Yes, there is a direct train between Cologne Hbf and Hamburg Altona. The service operates 7 times per day, provided by Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC).
To get from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona, you can choose from several travel options including train, coach and flight.
There is no night train service from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona.
The cheapest way to get from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona is by coach, costing approximately £10.
Booking trains from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona 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 Hamburg-Altona offers a mix of urban and rural scenery. Travellers can enjoy views of the picturesque Rhine Valley with its rolling vineyards and charming villages, especially between Köln and Wuppertal. As the train progresses towards Hamburg, the landscape transitions to the lush greenery and fields of Lower Saxony, providing a pleasant and varied visual experience.
A day trip from Köln Hbf to Hamburg-Altona is not feasible due to the travel duration of 4h 6m each way. However, there are 12 trains available per day for this journey.
Yes, you can take the train from Cologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Cologne Hbf and Hamburg Altona

Cologne
Hamburg
The major train station for departures in Cologne is Köln Hbf. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Köln Hbf for your trip from Cologne to Hamburg.
Amenities at train station
WifiWifi
LockersLockers
ShoppingShopping
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
HotelHotel
LoungeLounge
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
Bike ParkingBike Parking
Bike RentalBike Rental
Car RentalCar Rental
Information DeskInformation Desk
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • Mon - Fri: 06:00 - 21:00
  • Sat - Sun: 07:00 - 21:00
ticketOfficeHours
Distance to city center
1 km
Wifi
Wifi
  • Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only.
Lockers
Lockers
  • There are luggage lockers in the station.
Dining
Dining
  • asiagourmet
  • Coffee Fellows
  • dean&david
  • Dunkin' Donuts
  • KFC
  • McDonald's
  • Pizza Hut
  • Nordsee
  • Starbucks
  • Schweinske
  • & more
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
Hotel
Hotel
  • Wyndham Koeln
  • Hilton Cologne
  • Excelsior Hotel Ernst
Information Desk
Information Desk
  • One near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5.
HomeTrainsTrains in GermanyCologne Hbf to Hamburg Altona train

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