The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne to Basel
Cheapest price
£121
Average price
£144
Fastest journey
3 h 50 m
Average duration
4 h 22 m
Trains per day
6
Distance
378 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne to Basel is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Basel will cost around £144 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £121.
Of the 6 trains that leave Cologne for Basel every day 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 378 km distance in an average of 4 h 22 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 50 m .
The slowest trains will take 5 h 6 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.
IC 1940 · ICE 2798:425h06Cologne Hbf13:48Basel SBB£1211One-way1 change
ICE 915 · ICE 719:313h50Cologne Messe/Deutz13:21Basel SBB£1381One-way1 change
ICE 515 · ICE 2799:543h54Cologne Hbf13:48Basel SBB£1461One-way1 change
ICE 1038:543h54Cologne Hbf12:48Basel SBB£1461One-way0 changes
IC 1940+
ICE 2798:425h06Cologne Hbf13:48Basel SBB£1581One-way1 change
ICE 915 · ICE 719:313h50Cologne Messe/Deutz13:21Basel SBB£1381One-way1 change
ICE 515 · ICE 2799:543h54Cologne Hbf13:48Basel SBB£1461One-way1 change
ICE 1038:543h54Cologne Hbf12:48Basel SBB£1461One-way0 changes
IC 2013+
ICE 37110:435h05Cologne Hbf15:48Basel SBB£1581One-way1 change
IC 1940 · ICE 2798:425h06Cologne Hbf13:48Basel SBB£1211One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Cologne to Basel
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Basel among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £21. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 5h 9m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £21, and a train costs an average of £5.
Distance: 378 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£93 Average Price | £33 Average Price Cheapest |
5h 39m Average total duration Fastest 5h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 43m Average total duration 8h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Cologne to Basel train times
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Basel trains for tomorrow, Wednesday 15 April. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IC 1940+ ICE 279 | On time 6:42 Cologne Hbf | 5h06 | 11:48 Basel SBB | 1 change | |
IC 1940 · ICE 279 | On time 6:42 Cologne Hbf | 5h06 | 11:48 Basel SBB | 1 change | |
ICE 103 | On time 6:54 Cologne Hbf | 3h54 | 10:48 Basel SBB | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 915 · ICE 71 | On time 7:31 Cologne Messe/Deutz | 3h50 | 11:21 Basel SBB | 1 change | |
ICE 515 · ICE 279 | On time 7:54 Cologne Hbf | 3h54 | 11:48 Basel SBB | 1 change | |
IC 2013+ ICE 371 | 8:43 Cologne Hbf | 5h05 | 13:48 Basel SBB | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cologne to Basel 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.
16 Apr
17 Apr
18 Apr
19 Apr
20 Apr
21 Apr
22 Apr
23 Apr
24 Apr
25 Apr
26 Apr
27 Apr
28 Apr
29 Apr
30 Apr
01 May
02 May
03 May
04 May
05 May
06 May
Why should you book Cologne to Basel 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 | ICE, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), ÖBB | Nightjet or ÖBB | InterCity to find the best option for your trip from Cologne to Basel.
- 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 to Basel.
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 to Basel.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Cologne to Basel?
ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Cologne to Basel

Journey information
Overview: Train from Cologne to Basel
Trains from Cologne to Basel run on average 10 times per day, taking around 5h 9m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £5 if you book in advance.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 378 km distance in 3h 49m.
Distance 378 km |
Average train duration 5h 9m |
Cheapest ticket price £5 |
Trains per day 10 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 3h 49m |
First train 0:01 |
Last train 23:58 |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 63 days |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), ÖBB | Nightjet, ÖBB | InterCity, FlixTrain, Österreichische Bundesbahnen from Cologne to Basel trainsDeutsche Bahn, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), ÖBB | Nightjet, ÖBB | InterCity, FlixTrain, Österreichische Bundesbahnen trains will get you between Cologne and Basel from £5. 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 | ICE
ÖBB | Euro City (EC)
ÖBB | Nightjet
ÖBB | InterCity
FlixTrain
Österreichische Bundesbahnen
FAQs: Cologne to Basel train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Basel 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 Basel, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cologne and Basel
- 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
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, accessible via Centralbahnstrasse.
- Restaurant Da Roberto
- Brasserie Bahnhof Basel
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- CHF 2
- Hotel Victoria
- Hotel Schweizerhof Basel
- GAIA Hotel
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- 800 places, covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-5 for Swiss domestic trains
- Hall 2: platform 6-10 for international trains
- Hall 3: shopping and services area
- Tram: Line 1, Line 2, Line 8, Line 10, Line 11
- Bus: Several lines available
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week. Access via Schwarzwaldallee.
- Restaurant Les Gareçons
- Restaurant Bahn Kantine
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- CHF 1
- Hotel Alexander
- Hotel Wettstein
- Hotel Balade
- Located in the main hall
- 330 places, covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms 1-4 for trains to Germany
- Hall 2: platforms 5-8 for regional trains within Switzerland
- Tram: Line 2, Line 6
- Bus: Several lines available
More options for your journey from Cologne to Basel
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

