1st Class
- Power plugs
- Wide seats
- Extra legroom
- Quiet zone
- WC
Cheapest price on 17 Sept
£30
Average ticket price on 17 Sept
£63
Fastest journey on 17 Sept
5 h 31 m
Average journey duration on 17 Sept
8 h 26 m
Trains on 17 Sept
5
Distance
286 km
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 £63 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £30.
On Thu 17 Sept, we found 5 trains from Cologne to Erfurt, including 5 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 286 km distance in an average of 8 h 26 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 31 m .
The slowest trains will take 9 h 38 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 Erfurt among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £27 For those with little time, consider booking a coach, which has an average total journey time of 5h 27m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £27, while a train costs an average of £47.
Distance: 286 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£47 Average Price | £27 Average Price Cheapest | £48 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 12m Average total duration 5h 42m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 27m Average total duration Fastest 4h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 15m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Erfurt:
A coach is £55 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Erfurt costing on average £89.
Other travel options to Erfurt take longer:
Coach takes on average 5h 21m.
Tickets start at around £89 compared to roughly £48 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-40.09. The journey takes 4h 30m versus 4h 15m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Erfurt trains for tomorrow, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:01 Cologne | 8h44 | 15:45 Erfurt | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:07 Cologne | 9h38 | 16:45 Erfurt | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:11 Cologne | 5h31 | 12:42 Erfurt | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:14 Cologne | 9h31 | 16:45 Erfurt | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 8:01 Cologne | 8h44 | 16:45 Erfurt | 0 changesdirect |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach and train 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 Erfurt run on average 8 times per day, taking around 4h 30m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £16 if you book in advance.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 286 km distance in 3h 9m.
Distance 286 km |
Average train duration 4h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price £16 |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 3h 9m |
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 |
Compare Deutsche Bahn classes and the amenities included in each one.
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
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need