Cologne to Berlin train with Deutsche Bahn (ICE,IC,RE,RB)

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The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne to Berlin

Showing times and prices for 17 Jun

Cheapest price

£33

Average price

£67

Fastest journey

4 h 24 m

Average duration

4 h 43 m

Trains per day

Distance

479 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Cologne to Berlin will cost around £67 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £33.

Fast trains

Of the 9 trains that leave Cologne for Berlin every day 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct trains cover the 479 km distance in an average of 4 h 43 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 24 m .

The slowest trains will take 4 h 59 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.

FlixTrain

15:156h13

Cologne Hbf

21:28Berlin Hbf

£331One-way

0 changes

FlixTrain · FlixTrain

06:597h00

Cologne Hbf

13:59Berlin Südkreuz station

£361One-way

1 change

FlixTrain

08:145h19

Cologne Hbf

13:33Berlin Hbf

£381One-way

0 changes

ICE 855

07:454h24

Cologne Hbf

12:09Berlin Hbf

£821One-way

0 changes

ICE 545

08:254h44

Cologne Hbf

13:09Berlin Hbf

£821One-way

0 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach, train and flight for Cologne to Berlin

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Berlin among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £19. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 50m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg.

Compare train with

Most popular Train	Coach	Flight
£55 Average Price	£33 Average Price Cheapest	£247 Average Price
6h 53m average duration 6h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	10h 16m average duration 9h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	5h 50m average duration Fastest 2h 50m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time*
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest	0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions	1.4 - 2.9kg CO2 emissions
Direct Options	Direct Options	Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Cologne to Berlin train times

Showing trains for today, Monday 16 June

Last updated at 16:41

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Changes
ICE 655	Delayed 16:46 16:45Cologne Hbf	4h57	21:42 Berlin Hbf	0 changesdirect
ICE 947	On time 17:26 Cologne Hbf	4h41	22:07 Berlin Hbf	0 changesdirect
Tuesday 17 June
FlixTrain · FlixTrain	04:59 Cologne Hbf	7h00	11:59 Berlin Südkreuz station	1 change
ICE 855	On time 05:45 Cologne Hbf	4h24	10:09 Berlin Hbf	0 changesdirect
FlixTrain	06:14 Cologne Hbf	5h19	11:33 Berlin Hbf	0 changesdirect
ICE 545	On time 06:25 Cologne Hbf	4h44	11:09 Berlin Hbf	0 changesdirect
ICE 555	On time 06:45 Cologne Hbf	4h58	11:43 Berlin Hbf	0 changesdirect
ICE 857	On time 07:45 Cologne Hbf	4h30	12:15 Berlin Hbf	0 changesdirect
ICE 614 · ICE 547	On time 08:11 Cologne Hbf	5h05	13:16 Berlin Hbf	1 change
ICE 820 · ICE 547	On time 08:17 Cologne Messe/Deutz	4h59	13:16 Berlin Hbf	1 change
FlixTrain	13:15 Cologne Hbf	6h13	19:28 Berlin Hbf	0 changesdirect
This is the last train of the day.

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Compare prices and tickets Cologne to Berlin by coach, train or flight

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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Cologne to Berlin?

The best time to book your train from Cologne to Berlin is 70 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Cologne to Berlin route.

Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Cologne to Berlin per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Cologne to Berlin.

Trains

from £29

Coaches

from £22

Flights

from £188

ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Cologne to Berlin

The customer opinion was acquired via Cimenio. Cimenio incentivises its users for giving an honest opinion and proving the booking with a photo of the travel ticket.

Pro

You can work well on the train

Cons

Unfortunately not always on time

The wifi on the train was mostly reliable. However, during the cross-country journeys, the internet connection regularly broke down. Phone calls were difficult to make. Hygiene in the trains was average. The toilets were dirty, but this was also due to the passengers.

Pro

Ride was pleasant

Cons

No attention is paid to seat reservations

The journey from Cologne to Berlin by train (ICE) was relatively relaxing. There were free power sockets, free wifi, good service and you didn't have to change trains. Let's move on to the seats. Some passengers don't pay attention to the fact that some have reserved a seat and sat down somewhere. The seats were relatively comfortable, but after sitting for a long time, your buttocks hurt. The toilets were not clean and DB and punctuality is never the truth. Conclusion : The journey was ok, for the price you can't expect anything better.

Pro

Nice staff

It was a perfect trip.I had perfect wifi. The staff were very nice. The food tasted great, the food was also delivered very quickly. It has a great price-performance ratio. I can recommend it to everyone because it was very clean on the train. The toilets were also very clean. The train was also on time. Great trip!

Pro

The train arrived on time.

Cons

The staff were not very nice.

My second class train journey from Cologne to Berlin was fine except for the staff. The staff were not very nice to me. Otherwise, the train was on time and the train was very clean. The toilets were also very hygienic. The performance of the price is also great. In general, it is a 4 star rating, Because the staff were not nice to me.

Pro

Nice staff

It was a very very great train ride. I had access to wifi and my seat had its own power socket. The seats were very comfortable and the train was very quiet. Two babies cried from time to time, but this is normal. If you needed food, you also got it. The staff were very friendly and you had many options. The train was very clean, and the toilets were also very clean, with a lot of attention paid to hygiene. There was no need to change trains and the train arrived on time - great value for money! I can recommend it to everyone, as it is so cheap and a great train ride!

Pro

Very nice staff

I had wifi on the train, every single seat had its own bin, or socket. The seats were very comfortable and it was very quiet on the train. The staff provided very great service and everything was clean. The toilets were also very clean and there were many food options. The value for money is great. It was so cheap. I can just recommend it to everyone.

Pro

Employees

I had wifi on the train. Each one had its own power socket. The seats were very comfortable and the train was very quiet and there was also catering. The staff were very very friendly and there were lots of reservation options. It was very very clean very clean rise and we would not have to change trains. So great for such a price. I would recommend it to anyone!

Pro

The staff

Cons

Nothing

I travelled by train from Cologne to Berlin and once again had a very good experience. The staff inside the train were very friendly and courteous. The toilets were kept very clean and in general the train was also in very good hygienic condition. The volume throughout the journey was very quiet and it was easy to relax and work inside the train. Gladly again.

Pro

Punctuality

Cons

long duration

There was wifi on the train and each seat had a power socket. The seats were very comfortable and well maintained and it was quiet on the train. The staff were very, very friendly and the reservation was very easy. It was very clean, the toilets were also very clean. There was no change, the train was on time and it was very cheap.

Pro

Cleanliness

Cons

Price

I am satisfied with the Cologne to Berlin route. I travelled on ICE 953 and the on-board restaurant was open and had everything ready. Delicious food as well as beer and other drinks. It was a pity that the wifi worked but was not constantly stable. There were a few wireless holes, but I think that's normal. Price-performance ratio was okay. I didn't book a seat reservation because I spent the whole trip in the restaurant. Service was super nice.

Pro

fast

Personnel

comfortable

Cons

WIFI

Sockets

Cleanliness

The journey on the ICE was very comfortable and convenient. The good thing is that the journey is always stress-free. The train staff are very friendly and helpful. The seats are comfortable in 1st class and also in 2nd class. Unfortunately, one thing to criticise is the poor wifi on the entire journey. The power sockets are unfortunately also too few for all the electronic devices that I have to carry as a passenger.

Pro

Comfortable seat

Smooth ride

Nice staff

Cons

There was a slight lack of cleanliness in the toilets

Long journey time

High fare

My train journey from Cologne to Berlin was a really pleasant experience. The legroom on the train was generous and the atmosphere was calm and relaxing. The train was well equipped and the modern amenities helped to make the journey very pleasant. Comfortable seats and ample space made for a particularly comfortable seat. The staff on board deserve praise for their friendliness and helpfulness, which made the journey even more enjoyable. The overall cleanliness of the train was fine, although the toilets could be improved. Despite this minor shortcoming, it did not have a lasting effect on my overall impression. One small negative point was the longer journey time, especially for business travellers or those on a tight schedule. The price-performance ratio could also be optimised, as I found the fare to be a little high compared to the duration of the journey. Nevertheless, the positive aspects outweigh the negative ones. The legroom, comfort and excellent service make the train journey from Cologne to Berlin an option worth recommending. With a shorter journey time and possibly adjusted prices, this journey could be even more appealing. All in all, however, it was a positive experience that I would gladly repeat. Therefore "only" 4 stars from me.

Pro

Nice staff

Very clean

Cons

Disappointing comfort

Poor equipment

Poor price-performance ratio

Long journey duration

The train journey from Cologne to Berlin was disappointing. I would like to praise the cleanliness of the train and the helpful staff. However, this did not make the journey a pleasant experience. The journey was unpleasantly long. I felt that the price-performance ratio was not fair, especially in comparison to the amenities on offer. The train's facilities left a lot to be desired and the comfort was rather mediocre, which made the long-distance journey really tiring. Despite the positive aspects, my overall impression of the journey from Cologne to Berlin remains disappointing, as the negative elements were unfortunately too many. I would therefore not recommend the journey.

Pro

Itinerary

Cons

Sanitary facilities

I travelled to Berlin with my wife for a city trip. We were really impressed with the service provided by Deutsche Bahn, the train arrived on time in Cologne Deutz. The train made a clean and well-kept impression until we needed to use the sanitary facilities. Unfortunately, these were not so clean and hygienic. The wifi on board worked very well and the staff were also very helpful and friendly.

Pro

A reasonably quiet seat

Comfortable seats

Cons

Unpunctual

Full

I sat in first class on the train, where there was plenty of legroom and a power socket for every seat. The seats were comfortable so far and I was also asked very quickly if I wanted something from the dining car. The staff were very friendly. Before my journey, I booked an extra seat for €5.90 because the train was full and I sat in my seat the whole time. Information was only available in the DB app or from the train crew, but no more than necessary, because when everyone wondered why we were suddenly travelling so slowly, they just said we weren't allowed to travel at more than 133 km/h. In my opinion, the journey time of over 6.5 hours (thanks to a 1.5 hour delay) was far too long and unjustified. As a result, I missed 2 connecting trains. As I booked the ticket very early, it was very cheap.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Cologne to Berlin

Germany

Trains from Cologne to Berlin run on average 12 times per day, taking around 6h 23m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £18 if you book in advance.

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

478 km

Average train duration

6h 23m

Cheapest ticket price

£18

Trains per day

Direct trains

Fastest train

4h 31m

First train

03:05

Last train

22:59

Price information

Train companies: Deutsche Bahn and FlixTrain trains Cologne to Berlin

You can travel by train between Cologne and Berlin with Deutsche Bahn and FlixTrain for as low as £18. When you search for timetables and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey.

Deutsche Bahn is a German train company that operates trains throughout the country including trains from Cologne to Berlin. It offers a wide range of services, including high-speed InterCity Express (ICE) trains, regional trains, and night trains. ICE trains are the fastest and most comfortable way to travel, with speeds of up to 300 km/h. Regional trains are slower but offer more frequent stops and are ideal for shorter trips. Night trains are a great way to save time and money, with comfortable sleeping compartments and couchettes. Deutsche Bahn offers a variety of ticket types, including single tickets, day tickets, and group tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a variety of food and beverage options. The most popular routes for Deutsche Bahn are between major cities such as Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt. Other popular routes include Cologne to Stuttgart, Berlin to Dresden, and Hamburg to Cologne.

Deutsche Bahn from Cologne to Berlin train information:

Average Duration: 3 h 58 min
Cheapest Price: £50
Deutsche Bahn frequency: 11 a day

Flixtrain GmbH is a German railway company owned by Flixmobility. FlixTrain already connects many cities in Germany with its green trains. The trains run on 100 percent renewable energy. Onboard facilities: FlixTrain trains are equipped with air conditioning, toilets, USB and sockets and have plenty of legroom. You will find free WiFi on most trains and a range of food and drinks is available. There is a standard ticket that guarantees you a seat. You can take luggage with you free of charge, provided it can be stowed in the luggage racks. Find the current FlixTrain timetable for your train to Berlin from Cologne at Omio and easily book FlixTrain train tickets online.

Cologne to Berlin train information with FlixTrain:

Average Duration: 5 h 11 min
Cheapest Price: £18
FlixTrain frequency: 1 a day

Trains from Cologne to Berlin: Journey Details

Trains in Germany are an efficient way to travel between cities, with Deutsche Bahn offering domestic and international train routes. High-speed trains from Cologne and Berlin are quick and efficient, allowing anyone to visit the German capital with ease. Deutsche Bahn operates a daily service, with departures every hour. The earliest trains from Cologne to Berlin depart shortly after 4:00 a.m. and the last train of the day leaves Cologne at 11:15 p.m. Direct journeys take just over 4 hours to make the trip, and you can also choose to change once or twice without adding much time onto the journey.

Return trains from Berlin to Cologne are also available.

Taking the Train from Cologne

All trains from Cologne to Berlin leave from the city's Messe Station and arrive at Berlin's Hauptbahnhof. You can find Messe in the Deutz district of Cologne, not far from the River Rhine. From the city center, the best choice is to take Cologne's S-Bahn overground train system from the Hauptbahnhof, which takes a few minutes. Lines S6, S11, S12 and S13 all stop at Messe, and S-Bahn trains run until late.

Getting into Berlin by Train

Berlin is one of Europe's most forward-looking cities - filled with music venues, art galleries, technology companies, museums and cultural events. It has one of the world's great nightlife scenes, but also caters for lovers of history, with attractions like the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall. All trains from Cologne to Berlin arrive at the city's Hauptbahnhof, which is located at Potsdamer Platz near the city center. The best way to reach the center is via the U55 U-Bahn line, or by using Berlin's suburban S-Bahn train services. Be aware that the U55 line is not directly connected to the rest of the U-Bahn network, but that the U5 line is a short walk from the station.

FAQs: Cologne to Berlin train

FAQs: Travel by train from Cologne to Berlin easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Cologne to Berlin.

Cheap train tickets from Cologne to Berlin can start from as little as £10 when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Cologne to Berlin is £32; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.

On average the Cologne to Berlin train time is 4 h 19 min covering the 296 mile long trip, but the journey time can vary depending on specific dates or if traveling on weekends and holidays.

The first train from Cologne to Berlin leaves at 00: 01. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.

The last train from Cologne to Berlin leaves at 23: 58.

Yes, there are 8 direct trains a day from Cologne to Berlin with Deutsche Bahn or FlixTrain. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct trains.

For the route from Cologne to Berlin you can take a train with Deutsche Bahn or FlixTrain. Be sure to check out all possible train companies that offer services between Cologne and Berlin on Omio to compare what amenities they may have.

No, there are no night trains, the latest train for this route is 23: 58.

When departing from Cologne, you have various train station options to start your route from including Cologne Hbf and Cologne Messe/Deutz. When arriving in Berlin, you can end your route in train stations like Berlin Hbf, Berlin Südkreuz station, Berlin Ostbahnhof, Berlin Spandau, Berlin-Gesundbrunnen station and Berlin Zoologischer Garten.

Passengers board the train most frequently from Cologne Hbf, which is located around 1.6 miles (2.5 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Berlin Hbf, located 3.5 miles (5.6 km) away from the city centre.

A trip to Berlin from Cologne is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 4 h 19 min each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.

The cheapest month for a train from Cologne to Berlin is September.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel to Berlin from Cologne including taking a train, coach or flight.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Cologne and Berlin

Cologne

Berlin

The major train station for departures in Cologne is Köln Messe/Deutz. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Köln Messe/Deutz for your trip from Cologne to Berlin.

Köln Messe/Deutz Wifi