The cheapest trains from Cologne to Brussels
Cheapest
Average
The best way to find a cheap fare is to book your ticket as far in advance as you can and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Brussels will cost around £ 39 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only £ 28.
Timetable Cologne to Brussels
Find all the dates and times for this journey
COMPARE Prices across different modes
17 Oct
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The fastest trains from Cologne to Brussels
Fastest Journey
1 h 52 m
Average
3 h 12 m
Trains per day
25
Distance
183 km
Of the 25 trains that leave Cologne for Brussels every day 7 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 183 km distance in an average of 3 h 12 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 52 m .
The slowest trains will take 8 h 42 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.
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Train Information between Cologne and Brussels
 | Distance | 113 miles (182 km) |
 | Average train duration | 1 h 52 min |
 | Average train ticket price | £26 (€30) |
 | Train frequency | 8 a day |
 | Direct train | Yes, there are 8 direct trains a day |
 | Train companies | Deutsche Bahn or Thalys |
Trains from Cologne to Brussels cover the 113 miles (182 km) long route taking on average 1 h 52 min with our travel partners like Deutsche Bahn or Thalys. Normally, there are 8 trains operating per day, including direct services available. You can get the cheapest train tickets for this trip for as low as £17, but the average price of train tickets is £26. Travellers depart most frequently from Köln Hbf and arrive in Bruxelles-Midi.
Train companies
Travel with Thalys and Deutsche Bahn from Cologne to Brussels
Thalys and Deutsche Bahn trains will get you between Cologne and Brussels from £17. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany’s main operator of train services and makes on average about 40, 000 domestic and international journeys per day. Deutsche Bahn’s fleet of trains includes the high-speed ICE (Intercity Express) as well as the IC (Intercity), EC (Eurocity), IRE (Interregio-Express), RE (Regional Express) and RB (Regionalbahn), which differ in terms of comfort and the time needed to travel. For example, while toilets are standard amenities, services like onboard restaurants or free WiFi are only available on certain train types and routes. Deutsche Bahn is well-known for its wide range of fares like Super Saver, Saver, and Flexible and discount cards like the Bahncard 25, 50 and 100, which you can also use for your Cologne to Brussels train.
- Average Price: £17
Deutsche Bahn 's current ticket policies due to COVID-19 for your train between Cologne and Brussels are the following:
- Normal conditions apply
- Cashless payments recommended
- Online booking and check-in recommended
Trains from Cologne to Brussels
With a fast journey time of just under two hours and 11 direct departures a day, travelling by train from Cologne to Brussels is quick and easy. There are also over a dozen connecting services between the two cities that can take up to nine hours. A similar service operates seven days a week with all trains departing from Cologne Hbf and arriving at Brussels-Midi Station.
Which train companies travel from Cologne to Brussels?
Train services between the two cities of Cologne and Brussels are operated by either Deutsche Bahn (DB) or Thalys. Deutsche Bahn is a large, German-owned passenger provider while Thalys is a high-speed service jointly operated by Belgium and France. Both companies provide modern carriages with comfortable seating, luggage space, power sockets, WiFi access and bistro-bars.
How long is the train from Cologne to Brussels?
Direct trains from Cologne to Brussels take just one hour 50 minutes to complete the journey while other routes can take up to nine hours depending on the number of connections required and transfer times. Connecting routes require from one to three connections at stations such as Cologne-Ehrenfeld, Aachen and Welkenraedt.
How many trains are there from Cologne to Brussels?
There are 11 direct trains a day to Brussels from Cologne and over two dozen connecting services. Trains start departing in the early hours of the morning followed by at least one departure an hour until the mid-evening. Some evening departures arrive in Brussels the following morning.
What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Cologne to Brussels?
Departure train station: Trains between the two cities all depart from Cologne Hbf. This is the city's main station and it is conveniently located for Cologne's historic and cultural attractions. Among its transport links are S-Bahn trains, local buses and taxis. Facilities at Cologne Hbf include car parking, WiFi, left luggage lockers, toilets, cafes, restaurants and food kiosks.
Arrival train station: All trains to Brussels from Cologne arrive at Brussels-Midi Station. Centrally located in the city, the station is a large and busy hub for international train services. Its transport network includes Metro trains, local buses and taxis as well as a frequent shuttle service to Brussels South Charleroi Airport. Station facilities include car parking, WiFi, left luggage storage, toilets, shops, cafes and restaurants.
Thalys Trains from Antwerp to Cologne
The Thalys is a high-speed railroad company in France connecting the France to the rest of Europe and beyond. Perfect for multi-city train journeys in Europe.
When planning trips to Thalys destinations, consider checking back for offers on train tickets. Speak to the Customer Care team at the Omio help centre for cancellations or changes to your ticket from Antwerp to Cologne.
Travel Tips
Travel between Cologne, Germany and Brussels, Belgium by train is: Partially open.
What is the status of international entry into Belgium from Germany?
International entry status: Entry is partially open for citizens and permanent residents of Germany
Do I need to self-quarantine on arrival in Belgium from Cologne?
Conditions of entry:
- Negative COVID-19 test issued at most 3 days before arrival and 10 day mandatory self quarantine
- Passenger Locator Form (PLF) required
- A negative result for COVID-19 is a condition for subsequent release from quarantine. It is tested in quarantine on days 1 and 7
- Negative COVID-19 test issued at most 3 days before arrival
- Travellers issued with the EU Digital COVID Certificate are exempt from quarantine and COVID-19 testing
What are the safety rules to follow in Brussels, Belgium?
When travelling in Belgium, you must follow these COVID-19 safety rules:
- Physical distance requirement: 1.5 metre (s) (5 feet)
- Face mask requirement: Mandatory
The information above was last checked on 17/10/2021. This can change before your date of travel so please review the latest COVID-19 travel safety regulations for your train to Brussels from Cologne before travelling.
The restriction level for your return train to Cologne, Germany from Brussels is: Partially open.
Is my return train into Cologne from Brussels restricted?
International entry is allowed for: Entry is partially open for citizens and permanent residents of Belgium
Do I need to quarantine on arrival in Germany from Brussels?
Conditions of reentry:
- Negative COVID-19 test issued at most 3 days before arrival
- Pre-arrival health declaration
- The exact quarantine requirements depend on the regulations in each federal state
- Digital entry registration is required prior to arrival
What are the safety rules to follow in Cologne, Germany?
The government of Germany has imposed these measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19:
- Social distancing required: 1.5 metre (s) (5 feet)
- Face mask required: Mandatory
Last checked on 16/10/2021. Remember to check the latest COVID-19 travel safety regulations for your train to Cologne from Brussels closer to your date of departure here.
When taking a train from Cologne, you have a couple of train stations you can depart from including Köln Hbf, Köln Messe/Deutz and Köln/Bonn Flughafen. When you arrive in Brussels, your train can arrive in train stations including Bruxelles-Midi, Bruxelles-Central and Brussels-Nord.
Omio customers travelling this route book their trains from Köln Hbf to Bruxelles-Midi.
Passengers booking this trip most frequently board their trains from Köln Hbf and need to travel around 1 mile (s) / 1 km from the city centre to get to this train station.
Passengers arriving in Brussels most often arrive at Bruxelles-Midi and need to travel around 1 mile (s) / 1 km from this train station to the city centre.
Important Stations and Airports for this Journey
Wifi
Lockers
Parking
ATM
Taxi
Train lines: ICE, IC, EC, FLX, RE, RB
U-Bahn lines: U5, U16, U18
S-Bahn lines: S6, S11, S12, S19
Trains from Cologne to Brussels: related information
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