The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne to Dortmund
Cheapest price
£12
Average price
£22
Fastest journey
1 h 10 m
Average duration
1 h 12 m
Trains per day
9
Distance
74 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne to Dortmund is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Dortmund will cost around £22 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £12.
Of the 9 trains that leave Cologne for Dortmund every day 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 74 km distance in an average of 1 h 12 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 10 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 15 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.
FlixTrain
ICE 618
IC 2206 · ICE 1545
ICE 206
ICE 1014
ICE 618
ICE 206
ICE 616
FlixTrain
ICE 1014Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Cologne to Dortmund
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Dortmund among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £5. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 27m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £5, and a train costs an average of £7.
Distance: 74 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£13 Average Price | £8 Average Price Cheapest |
1h 57m Average total duration Fastest 1h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 2m Average total duration 1h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Cologne to Dortmund train times
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Dortmund trains for today, Monday 23 February. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixTrain | 11:14 Cologne Hbf | 1h13 | 12:27 Dortmund Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
| Tuesday 24 February | |||||
ICE 618 | On time 05:11 Cologne Hbf | 1h10 | 06:21 Dortmund Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 206 | On time 06:11 Cologne Hbf | 1h10 | 07:21 Dortmund Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 826 · 26709 | On time 06:17 Cologne Messe/Deutz | 1h20 | 07:37 Dortmund Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 845 | On time 06:27 Cologne Hbf | 1h17 | 07:44 Dortmund Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
IC 2206 · ICE 1545 | On time 06:46 Cologne Hbf | 1h23 | 08:09 Dortmund Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 616 | On time 07:11 Cologne Hbf | 1h10 | 08:21 Dortmund Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixTrain | 07:14 Cologne Hbf | 1h13 | 08:27 Dortmund Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 824 · 26711 | On time 07:17 Cologne Messe/Deutz | 1h20 | 08:37 Dortmund Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 1014 | On time 07:32 Cologne Messe/Deutz | 1h15 | 08:47 Dortmund Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cologne to Dortmund by train or coach
Compare train and coach 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.
23 Feb
24 Feb
25 Feb
26 Feb
27 Feb
28 Feb
01 Mar
02 Mar
03 Mar
04 Mar
05 Mar
06 Mar
07 Mar
08 Mar
09 Mar
10 Mar
11 Mar
12 Mar
13 Mar
14 Mar
15 Mar
Why should you book Cologne to Dortmund trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn, but also compare tickets for the likes of FlixTrain, National Express or Eurostar to find the best option for your trip from Cologne to Dortmund.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Deutsche Bahn with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cologne to Dortmund.
Why book with Omio over Trainline, Wanderu or Rome2rio?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of FlixTrain, National Express or Eurostar to find the best option for your trip from Cologne to Dortmund.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Cologne to Dortmund.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Cologne to Dortmund?
ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Cologne to Dortmund

Journey information
Overview: Train from Cologne to Dortmund
Trains from Cologne to Dortmund run on average 12 times per day, taking around 1h 27m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £7 but you can travel from only £5 by coach.
There are 10 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 74 km distance in 1h 10m.
Distance 74 km |
Average train duration 1h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price £7 |
Trains per day 12 |
Direct trains 10 |
Fastest train 1h 10m |
First train 00:01 |
Last train 23:58 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, National Express, Eurostar from Cologne to Dortmund trainsDeutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, National Express, Eurostar trains will get you between Cologne and Dortmund from £5. 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.
FlixTrain
Eurostar
National Express
FAQs: Cologne to Dortmund train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Dortmund 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 Dortmund, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cologne and Dortmund
- 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.
- 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: 07:30 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Thursday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Friday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Saturday: 09:00 - 18:00
- Sunday: 09:00 - 18:00
- Subway
- Caliente
- Ong Bui Asia Fusion
- Kleimann
- Cityhotel Dortmund
- Esplanade
- Drei Kronen
- Hotel Unique Novum
- Strobels
- Rosenterassen
- Pizzeria PePee
- American Corner
- Tiziana
- Taverne Steki
Most popular train connections from Cologne
More options for your journey from Cologne to Dortmund
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

