- Must visit
Alte Synagoge
Museum inside the former Great Synagogue showing medieval Jewish history and the Erfurt Treasure in a compact historic setting.
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne to Erfurt is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Erfurt will cost around £39 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £23.
On Sun 01 Nov, we found 4 trains from Cologne to Erfurt, including 4 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 286 km distance in an average of 6 h 4 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 42 m .
The slowest trains will take 7 h 31 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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Trains from Cologne to Erfurt run on average 7 times per day, taking around 4h 22m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £16 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 286 km distance in 3h 8m.
Distance 286 km |
Average train duration 4h 22m |
Cheapest ticket price £16 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 3h 8m |
First train 0:01 |
Last train 23:56 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Cologne to Erfurt.
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Erfurt trains for today, Saturday 31 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 921 · ICE 378 | Delayed 2:49 3:49Cologne Hbf | 5h41 | 9:30 Erfurt Hbf | 1 change | |
| Sunday 1 November | |||||
![]() | 7:14 Cologne | 7h31 | 14:45 Erfurt | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:45 Cologne | 3h42 | 11:27 Erfurt | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 11:35 Cologne | 6h32 | 18:07 Erfurt | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 12:35 Cologne | 6h32 | 19:07 Erfurt | 0 changesdirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey

Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of Erfurt — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Erfurt trip today.
Museum inside the former Great Synagogue showing medieval Jewish history and the Erfurt Treasure in a compact historic setting.
Art museum in a Baroque palace with changing exhibitions of modern and contemporary art in elegant historic rooms.
City museum covering Erfurt’s development through artefacts, models and exhibitions in a grand former civic building.
Historic square framed by the cathedral and Severikirche. It hosts major events and offers one of Erfurt’s classic city views.
Broad citadel plateau and parkland with walking paths, bastions and excellent views over Erfurt’s old town and church towers.
The city’s central square and shopping area, surrounded by historic buildings and ideal for people-watching in the old town.
Thuringian grilled sausage seasoned with marjoram and caraway, traditionally charcoal-grilled and served with mustard; a defining Erfurt street food.
Hearty dumplings made from raw and cooked potatoes, a classic Sunday side in Thuringia, especially with roasts and rich gravies.
Slow-cooked beef roulade filled with bacon, onions, mustard and gherkin, commonly served with dumplings and red cabbage in local inns.
Elegant restaurant in the historic centre offering refined German and Thuringian cooking in a calm, polished dining room.
Traditional restaurant in the Krämerbrücke area serving Thuringian classics, especially bratwurst and dumplings, in a historic setting.
Long-established brewery pub with house beers and hearty regional food in a lively, rustic atmosphere near the old town.
Moderate for Germany. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than in Berlin or Munich, while public transport and everyday costs stay manageable for most visitors.
Round up in cafés and taxis, and tip about 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Tell the server the total when paying rather than leaving coins on the table.
Official public transport app
Erfurt Hbf -> Domplatz, Erfurt
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Erfurt.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Erfurt 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 Erfurt, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cologne to Erfurt trains use the Köln Hbf to Erfurt Hbf station pair, with some services arriving at Erfurt-Bischleben. Use this guide to compare Cologne and Erfurt 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 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.
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.
Erfurt 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: Istanbul Grill, McDonald's, Masala, Planet Comics
Wi-Fi is available at Erfurt Hbf. ATMs are available at Erfurt Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Erfurt Hbf. Information desks are available at Erfurt Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Erfurt Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Erfurt Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Erfurt Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Erfurt Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Krämerbrücke, Intercity Hotel, Pension am Dom, Best Western Plus Hotel Excelsior.
Erfurt-Bischleben is 5 km from Erfurt city centre. Public transport options include:
Erfurt-Bischleben 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: Zur Schuhleiste, Bachstelze
Wi-Fi is available at Erfurt-Bischleben. ATMs are available at Erfurt-Bischleben.
Ticket office support is available at Erfurt-Bischleben. Information desks are available at Erfurt-Bischleben.
Luggage storage is available at Erfurt-Bischleben. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Erfurt-Bischleben: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Erfurt-Bischleben: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Erfurt-Bischleben.
Check train stations information for Cologne and Erfurt, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need