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

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The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne to Brussels

Showing times and prices for 24 May

Cheapest price

£37

Average price

£63

Fastest journey

1 h 51 m

Average duration

1 h 51 m

Trains per day

Distance

183 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Cologne to Brussels will cost around £63 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £37.

Fast trains

Of the 10 trains that leave Cologne for Brussels every day 10 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 1 h 51 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 51 m .

The slowest trains will take 1 h 53 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.

ICE 10

19:421h53

Cologne Hbf

21:35Brussels-Midi

£371One-way

0 changes

ICE 318

21:421h53

Cologne Hbf

23:35Brussels-Midi

£371One-way

0 changes

9450

12:421h53

Cologne Hbf

14:35Brussels-Midi

£571One-way

0 changes

ICE 316

09:411h54

Cologne Hbf

11:35Brussels-Midi

£621One-way

0 changes

ICE 12

17:421h53

Cologne Hbf

19:35Brussels-Midi

£621One-way

0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Cologne to Brussels

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Brussels among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £7. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 4m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg.

Compare train with

Most popular Train	Coach
£57 Average Price	£18 Average Price Cheapest
3h 34m average duration Fastest 3h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	4h 5m average duration 3h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time*
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest	0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions
Direct Options	Direct Options

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

Live departures

Cologne to Brussels train times

Showing trains for today, Friday 23 May

Last updated at 11:07

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Changes
ICE 314	Delayed 11:55 11:42Cologne Hbf	1h53	13:42 13:42Brussels-Midi	0 changesdirect
ICE 14	On time 13:41 Cologne Hbf	1h54	15:35 Brussels-Midi	0 changesdirect
9474	14:44 Cologne Hbf	1h51	16:35 Brussels-Midi	0 changesdirect
9486	16:44 Cologne Hbf	1h51	18:35 Brussels-Midi	0 changesdirect
Saturday 24 May
9414	04:44 Cologne Hbf	1h51	06:35 Brussels-Midi	0 changesdirect
9426	06:44 Cologne Hbf	1h51	08:35 Brussels-Midi	0 changesdirect
ICE 316	On time 07:41 Cologne Hbf	1h54	09:35 Brussels-Midi	0 changesdirect
9438	08:44 Cologne Hbf	1h51	10:35 Brussels-Midi	0 changesdirect
ICE 16	On time 09:42 Cologne Hbf	1h53	11:35 Brussels-Midi	0 changesdirect
9450	10:42 Cologne Hbf	1h53	12:35 Brussels-Midi	0 changesdirect

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Cologne to Brussels by train or coach

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24 May

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

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

Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Cologne to Brussels 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 Brussels.

Trains

from £30

Coaches

from £15

Flights

from £23

ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Cologne to Brussels

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

uncomplicated

Punctual

Cons

None

The train connection from Cologne to Brussels was generally on time. However, there was a slight delay of about 10 minutes on the outward journey, which was not dramatic, but still worth noting. The cleanliness of the train was excellent. The seats, floors and windows were in a very neat condition. The cleaning staff seemed to do their job very well. There were power outlets at most seats, which was very convenient for charging electronic devices while travelling. The train was well accessible for people with reduced mobility. There were ramps and enough space for wheelchairs. The toilets were clean and well maintained. There were enough toilets on the train. Overall, the train journey from Cologne to Brussels was very pleasant. The punctuality, cleanliness and accessibility were particularly commendable.

Pro

Punctual

Good price-performance ratio

Cons

Everything okay

The punctuality of the train was very good. The train departed and arrived exactly on schedule. The ticket price was reasonable compared to other means of transport. The journey was comfortable and pleasant, the cleanliness of the train was impressive, the compartments were well maintained and the cleaning staff were always present. The toilets were clean but lacked some basic furniture. A refill of soap and paper towels would be desirable. The seats on the train were extremely comfortable and provided ample space. The backrests were adjustable and there was plenty of legroom. The cushioning was pleasant, which contributed to a relaxed and comfortable journey. Overall, the train journey was a positive experience, with punctuality and good seating comfort.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Cologne to Brussels

Germany

Belgium

Trains from Cologne to Brussels run on average 7 times per day, taking around 3h 4m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £17 but you can travel from only £7 by coach.

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 £7

Distance

183 km

Average train duration

3h 4m

Cheapest ticket price

£17

Trains per day

Direct trains

Train providers

Fastest train

1h 46m

First train

00:10

Last train

23:01

Price information

Cheapest alternative travel mode

Coach from £7

Train providers: Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar and FlixBus trains Cologne to Brussels

Find the best trains from Cologne to Brussels with Omio's travel partners Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar and FlixBus from £11. We can find you the best deals, timetables and tickets when comparing and booking the best trip.

Deutsche Bahn (DB) is the main operator of train services in Germany, making on average 40,000 journeys per day. A special feature of Deutsche Bahn is its wide range of ticket types, savings offers including Super Saver, Saver, and Flexible fares and discount cards like the BahnCard 25, 50 and 100, which you can also use for your train to Brussels from Cologne. DB uses different types of trains such as the ICE (Intercity Express), IC (Intercity), EC (Eurocity), IRE (Interregio-Express), RE (Regional Express) and RB (Regionalbahn) on its routes, which differ in terms of comfort and the time required to travel. For example, while toilets are standard amenities, services like an onboard restaurant or free WiFi are only available on certain trains.

Train information from Cologne to Brussels with Deutsche Bahn:

Average Duration: 1 h 45 min
Cheapest Price: £26
Deutsche Bahn frequency: 5 a day

Eurostar is the exclusive high-speed railway service connecting the United Kingdom with countries in Europe like France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Most Eurostar trains travel through the Channel Tunnel between the UK and France. With a high-speed train service reaching speeds up to 186 mph (300 km/h), you will travel from Cologne to Brussels in ultimate comfort coupled with modern, comfortable seats and large windows. When booking your Eurostar train to Brussels from Cologne, you can choose between three ticket types: Standard, Standard Premier (with light refreshments served and spacious seats), and Business Premier (with flexible travel options, spacious seating, lounge access, priority boarding and hot meal served).

Train information from Cologne to Brussels with Eurostar:

Average Duration: 1 h 51 min
Cheapest Price: £31

FlixBus is one of the most popular low-cost train providers in Europe. Founded in Germany, FlixBus has expanded its services throughout Europe and even to the United States, giving travellers in both continents the option to take a long-distance train at an affordable price. FlixBus also operates overnight trains on select routes throughout Europe. FlixBus offers only the Standard ticket for all its routes, which allows you to bring one hand luggage and one hold luggage bag per person. Additional fees apply for bringing extra luggage and making specific seat reservations, such as if you want to book an Extra Seat, Table Seat or the Panorama Seat. Standard amenities onboard include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge your phone, tablet or laptop during long train journeys, extra legroom, luggage space and toilets.

FlixBus from Cologne to Brussels train information:

Average Duration: 3 h 35 min
Cheapest Price: £11

SNCB is the national railway company of Belgium with train tickets to Brussels from Cologne. It operates a wide range of trains, including Intercity, Interregio, EuroCity, Thalys, and ICE International. Intercity trains are the most frequent and offer the fastest connections between major cities. Interregio trains are slower and offer more stops. EuroCity trains are international services that connect Belgium with other European countries. Thalys trains are high-speed services that connect Belgium with France, Germany, and the Netherlands. ICE International trains are international services that connect Belgium with Germany and the Netherlands. SNCB offers a variety of ticket types, including single tickets, return tickets, and group tickets. Onboard facilities include comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and power outlets. The most popular routes for SNCB are Brussels to Antwerp, Brussels to Bruges, Brussels to Ghent, and Brussels to Liege.

Cologne to Brussels train information with SNCB:

Average Duration: 2 h 47 min
Cheapest Price: £26
SNCB frequency: 1 a day

FAQs: Cologne to Brussels train

FAQs: Travel by train from Cologne to Brussels 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 Brussels.

Cheap train tickets from Cologne to Brussels can start from as little as £26 when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Cologne to Brussels is £48; 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 Brussels train travel time is 1 h 48 min for the 113 mile long journey, but the duration can vary if you travel on weekends and holidays.

The first train from Cologne to Brussels leaves at 02: 25. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.

The last train from Cologne to Brussels leaves at 21: 56.

Yes, it is possible to travel from Cologne to Brussels without having to change trains with Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar or SNCB. There are 6 direct trains from Cologne to Brussels each day. There may be fewer direct services available on weekends or holidays.

Yes, there's a high-speed train to Brussels. Take the fast train with Eurostar from Cologne to Brussels.

The high-speed Eurostar train from Cologne to Brussels takes 1 h 51 min on average.

For the trip from Cologne to Brussels you can take a train with Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar or SNCB. Be sure to check out all possible train companies that offer services to Brussels from Cologne on Omio to compare what amenities they may have.

No, there are no night trains, the latest train for this route is 21: 56.

When departing from Cologne, you have various train station options to start your trip from including Cologne Hbf, Cologne Messe/Deutz and Cologne-Ehrenfeld. When arriving in Brussels, you can end your trip in train stations like Brussels-Midi and Brussels-North.

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 Brussels-Midi, located 2 miles (3.2 km) away from the city centre.

A day trip to Brussels from Cologne is worth doing with a journey time of 1 h 48 min each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.

The cheapest month for a train from Cologne to Brussels is December.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cologne and Brussels including taking a train or coach.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Cologne and Brussels

Cologne

Brussels

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 Brussels.

Köln Messe/Deutz Wifi