- Must visit
LWL-Freilichtmuseum Detmold
Large open-air museum with historic farmhouses, workshops and gardens that present regional rural life in Westphalia.
Cheapest price
£31
Average price
£44
Fastest journey
2 h 47 m
Average duration
3 h 3 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
174 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne to Detmold is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Detmold will cost around £44 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £31.
Of the 5 trains that leave Cologne for Detmold 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 174 km distance in an average of 3 h 3 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 47 m .
The slowest trains will take 3 h 26 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.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Detmold among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £12. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 42m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £12, and a flight costs an average of £754.
Distance: 174 km
Most popular Train | Flight | Coach |
|---|---|---|
£52 Average Price | £754 Average Price | £24 Average Price Cheapest |
3h 12m Average total duration Fastest 2h 42m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 0m Average total duration 6h 0m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 6h 7m Average total duration 5h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Detmold trains for tomorrow, Thursday 20 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:32 Cologne | 3h26 | 9:58 Detmold | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:11 Cologne | 2h47 | 9:58 Detmold | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:25 Cologne | 2h55 | 10:20 Detmold | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 8:11 Cologne | 2h47 | 10:58 Detmold | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 8:17 Cologne | 3h22 | 11:39 Detmold | 0 changesdirect |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Cologne to Detmold run on average 8 times per day, taking around 2h 42m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £13 but you can travel from only £12 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 23:02. The fastest train covers the 174 km distance in 2h 24m.
Distance 174 km |
Average train duration 2h 42m |
Cheapest ticket price £13 |
Trains per day 8 |
Fastest train 2h 24m |
First train 0:02 |
Last train 23:02 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sept |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 70 days |
Discover the best of Detmold — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Detmold trip today.
Large open-air museum with historic farmhouses, workshops and gardens that present regional rural life in Westphalia.
Compact museum inside the princely residence, showing furnished state rooms and courtly history in an authentic setting.
Museum on local and regional history with displays on Detmold’s urban development, culture and everyday life.
Well-preserved old town area with half-timbered houses, small lanes and many of Detmold’s most attractive historic views.
Central square beside the princely palace, ideal for appreciating the residence frontage and the surrounding civic buildings.
Popular landscaped park around the palace moat, suited to an easy stroll with views of the residence and mature trees.
Pumpernickel is Westphalia’s dense dark rye bread, slowly baked for many hours. It is a regional staple and a defining flavour of local food culture.
Pickert is a traditional Lippe potato pancake or griddle cake made with flour and yeast, often served with butter, jam or sausage in and around Detmold.
Stippgrütze is a hearty Westphalian pan-fried dish of groats with pork. It is an old farmhouse speciality still associated with regional home cooking.
Elegant restaurant in a grand historic setting, known for refined seasonal cuisine and a more formal atmosphere within the Detmold court district.
Traditional brewery restaurant serving hearty regional German dishes and beer in a rustic, lively setting close to Detmold’s historic centre.
Well-known local venue for classic German and regional fare, with a relaxed atmosphere suited to trying traditional dishes in the town centre.
Moderate for Germany: dining and local transport are reasonable, while hotels can rise in peak periods. Costs are often lower than in major cities such as Munich or Frankfurt.
Service is usually included, but small tips are expected. Round up or add 5-10% in restaurants, round up taxi fares, and leave small change in cafés.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Detmold 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 Detmold, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cologne to Detmold trains use the Köln Hbf to Detmold station pair. Use this guide to compare Cologne and Detmold train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Köln Hbf is 1 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:
Köln Hbf has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: asiagourmet, Coffee Fellows, dean&david, Dunkin' Donuts, KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Nordsee, Starbucks, Schweinske, & more
Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only. ATMs are available at Köln Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Köln Hbf. Information desks are one near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5.
Luggage storage is there are luggage lockers in the station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Köln Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Köln Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Köln Hbf: Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
Nearby hotels include Wyndham Koeln, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst.
Köln/Bonn Flughafen is 13 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:
Köln/Bonn Flughafen has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Café Bistro Leysieffer, Mishba, Ständige Vertretung, Kamps
Wi-Fi is available at Köln/Bonn Flughafen. ATMs are available at Köln/Bonn Flughafen.
Ticket office support is available at Köln/Bonn Flughafen. Information desks are available at Köln/Bonn Flughafen.
Luggage storage is available at Köln/Bonn Flughafen. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Köln/Bonn Flughafen: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Köln/Bonn Flughafen: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Köln/Bonn Flughafen.
Köln Messe/Deutz is 1 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:
Köln Messe/Deutz has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Imbiss Athena, Arena Grill, Cafe Especial, Joe Champs
Wi-Fi is available at Köln Messe/Deutz. ATMs are available at Köln Messe/Deutz.
Ticket office support is available at Köln Messe/Deutz. Information desks are available at Köln Messe/Deutz.
Luggage storage is available at Köln Messe/Deutz. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Köln Messe/Deutz: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Köln Messe/Deutz: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Köln Messe/Deutz.
Nearby hotels include Pension Helenenwall, Zur guten Quelle, Zum Goldenen Hut, Merlin.
Detmold has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Cup, Vollkornbäckerei Meffert, Tilos Pizzabox, Wunderbar
Wi-Fi is available at Detmold. ATMs are available at Detmold.
Ticket office support is available at Detmold. Information desks are available at Detmold.
Luggage storage is available at Detmold. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Detmold: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Detmold: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Detmold.
Nearby hotels include Residenz Hotel, Hotel Brechmann, StadtHotel, Hotel Lippischer Hof.
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