- Must visit
LWL-Freilichtmuseum Detmold
Large open-air museum with historic farmhouses, workshops and gardens that present regional rural life in Westphalia.
Cheapest price on 08 Oct
£31
Average ticket price on 08 Oct
£44
Fastest journey on 08 Oct
2 h 47 m
Average journey duration on 08 Oct
3 h 3 m
Trains on 08 Oct
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.
On Thu 08 Oct, we found 5 trains from Cologne to Detmold, including 5 direct services.
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.










Trains from Cologne to Detmold run on average 11 times per day, taking around 2h 51m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £22 but you can travel from only £10 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 23:02. The fastest train covers the 174 km distance in 2h 12m.
Distance 174 km |
Average train duration 2h 51m |
Cheapest ticket price £22 |
Trains per day 11 |
Fastest train 2h 12m |
First train 0:02 |
Last train 23:02 |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sept |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 70 days |
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Detmold trains for today, Wednesday 7 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 557 · 79352 | On time 10:44 Cologne Hbf | 2h36 | 13:20 Detmold station | 1 change | |
IC 2049 · 90661 | Delayed 9:28 11:10Cologne Hbf | 2h48 | 13:58 Detmold station | 1 change | |
| Thursday 8 October | |||||
![]() | 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 | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need