The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne to Bologna
Cheapest price
£109
Average price
£218
Fastest journey
11 h 6 m
Average duration
11 h 40 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
787 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne to Bologna is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Bologna will cost around £218 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £109.
Of the 5 trains that leave Cologne for Bologna every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 787 km distance in an average of 11 h 40 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 11 h 6 m .
The slowest trains will take 12 h 16 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.










Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Cologne to Bologna
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Bologna among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £45. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 46m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £45, and a flight costs an average of £23.
Distance: 787 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Flight | Coach |
|---|---|---|
£167 Average Price | £183 Average Price | £89 Average Price Cheapest |
12h 20m Average total duration 11h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 46m Average total duration Fastest 1h 46m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 17h 8m Average total duration 16h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Cologne to Bologna train times
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Bologna trains for today, Friday 16 January. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 529 · RJ 87 | On time 07:45 Cologne Messe/Deutz | 11h31 | 19:16 Bologna Centrale | 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 Bologna 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.
17 Jan
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06 Feb
Journey information
Overview: Train from Cologne to Bologna
Trains from Cologne to Bologna run on average 3 times per day, taking around 11h 50m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £46 but you can travel from only £23 by flight.
The earliest train runs at 00:20, the last at 23:30. The fastest train covers the 787 km distance in 11h 21m.
Distance 787 km |
Average train duration 11h 50m |
Cheapest ticket price £46 |
Trains per day 3 |
Fastest train 11h 21m |
First train 00:20 |
Last train 23:30 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, Trenitalia from Cologne to Bologna trainsDeutsche Bahn, Trenitalia trains will get you between Cologne and Bologna from £23. 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.
Trenitalia
FAQs: Cologne to Bologna train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Bologna 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 Bologna, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cologne and Bologna
- 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
- Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi.
- Luggage facility, open daily from 07:00 to 22:00, is located in front of binario 7 Ovest (Track 7 West).
- Burger King
- A Cafè
- VyTA Boulangerie
- Venchi
- Scambio
- Juice Bar
- KFC
- Dispensa Emilia
- Lavazza
- Mokà
- & more
- Accessible facilities including barrier-free restrooms, elevators and ramps. Sala Blu mobility assistance available from 07:45 to 22:30 with advanced one-hour notice.
- Starhotels Excelsior
- Millenn Hotel Bologna
- UNA Hotels
- Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 21:00
- Customer service center is on the ground floor and open every day from 06:30 to 23:00.
- Bus lines: 21, 25, 30, 36, 61, 62, 77, BLQ
- Monorail lines: Marconi Express
- Train lines: FR, FA, FB, IC, ICN, R, Italo, ÖBB EC, EN
More options for your journey from Cologne to Bologna
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