- Recommended
Schifffahrtsmuseum
An engaging maritime museum in a former fish auction hall, covering Kiel’s seafaring history, ship models and the city’s naval connections.
Cheapest price on 15 Oct
£43
Average ticket price on 15 Oct
£75
Fastest journey on 15 Oct
5 h 14 m
Average journey duration on 15 Oct
5 h 24 m
Trains on 15 Oct
10
Distance
434 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne to Kiel is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Kiel will cost around £75 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £43.
To travel from Cologne to Kiel you need to make at least one change.
ICE 612 · ICE 770
ICE 200 · 11276
ICE 1120 · 11224
ICE 610 · ICE 578
ICE 559 · ICE 680 · 11226
ICE 1122 · 11220
ICE 1120 · 11224
ICE 610 · ICE 578
ICE 612 · ICE 770
ICE 614 · ICE 772Trains from Cologne to Kiel run on average 5 times per day, taking around 5h 27m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £16 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 00:05, the last at 23:27. The fastest train covers the 434 km distance in 4h 42m.
Distance 434 km |
Average train duration 5h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price £16 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 4h 42m |
First train 0:05 |
Last train 23:27 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 14 days |
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Kiel trains for tomorrow, Thursday 15 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 616 · ICE 774 | On time 8:11 Cologne Hbf | 5h29 | 13:40 Kiel Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 555 · ICE 684 · 11218 | On time 8:44 Cologne Hbf | 5h37 | 14:21 Kiel Hbf | 2 changes | |
ICE 204 · 11268 | On time 9:11 Cologne Hbf | 5h41 | 14:52 Kiel Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 1122 · 11220 | On time 10:07 Cologne Hbf | 5h14 | 15:21 Kiel Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 614 · ICE 772 | On time 10:11 Cologne Hbf | 5h29 | 15:40 Kiel Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 1120 · 11224 | On time 12:01 Cologne Hbf | 5h20 | 17:21 Kiel Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 612 · ICE 770 | On time 12:11 Cologne Hbf | 5h29 | 17:40 Kiel Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 559 · ICE 680 · 11226 | On time 12:44 Cologne Hbf | 5h37 | 18:21 Kiel Hbf | 2 changes | |
ICE 200 · 11276 | On time 13:11 Cologne Hbf | 5h41 | 18:52 Kiel Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 610 · ICE 578 | On time 14:11 Cologne Hbf | 5h29 | 19:40 Kiel Hbf | 1 change | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey

Discover the best of Kiel — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Kiel trip today.
An engaging maritime museum in a former fish auction hall, covering Kiel’s seafaring history, ship models and the city’s naval connections.
An art museum near the fjord with European paintings, prints and changing exhibitions. The quiet setting makes it ideal for a cultural stop.
An open-air museum with historic farm buildings and rural heritage from Schleswig-Holstein. It rewards visitors seeking regional history beyond the centre.
Kiel’s best-known waterfront promenade, lined with harbour views, boats and open space. It is ideal for a relaxed walk by the fjord.
The old market square in the historic centre, framed by St. Nikolai and civic buildings. It is a practical starting point for exploring central Kiel.
A green canal-side park with viewpoints over the locks and passing ships. It combines maritime activity with an easy stroll outdoors.
Hearty northern stew of pears, beans and bacon, balancing sweet and savoury flavours. A classic late-summer dish in Schleswig-Holstein.
Pan-fried Baltic or North Sea herring, often served with potatoes. It reflects Kiel’s long maritime and fishing traditions.
Pickled herring in a creamy sauce with apple, onion and gherkin. A staple of northern German home cooking and tavern menus.
Established city-centre restaurant serving refined regional and seasonal dishes in an elegant but approachable atmosphere.
Popular harbour-side restaurant known for fresh fish, crab and maritime classics in a relaxed waterside setting.
Well-known traditional brewery venue pouring local beer with hearty German fare in a lively, rustic setting.
Moderate for Germany. Hotels can rise in summer, but dining and local transport are usually reasonable compared with larger tourist cities like Hamburg or Munich.
Service is usually included, but rounding up or adding about 5-10% is normal in restaurants. Round up taxi fares, and leave small change in cafés for good service.
Official public transport app
Kiel Hbf -> Rathausplatz, Kiel
The most popular day trips by train from Kiel are Hamburg, Lübeck, Neumünster, Flensburg and Rendsburg. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your train from Kiel on Omio.

Hamburg is Germany's great port city, known for its harbour, canals and maritime character. Historic warehouse districts sit alongside modern architecture, while music, nightlife and waterside neighbourhoods give the city an energetic but grounded feel.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:13, the last at 23:13. The fastest train covers the 83 km distance in 1h 4m.

Lübeck is known for its Hanseatic past, brick Gothic churches and marzipan tradition. Its UNESCO-listed old town, set between waterways, feels historic, compact and quietly maritime.
There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 08:09, the last at 17:09. The fastest train covers the 62 km distance in 1h 9m.

Neumünster is a practical city in Schleswig-Holstein known for its textile past and modern outlet shopping. Parks, galleries, and Vicelinkirche give it a grounded northern German character beyond its commercial side.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:13, the last at 22:36. The fastest train covers the 29 km distance in 16m.

Flensburg is a northern German port on the Flensburg Fjord, known for its maritime history, rum trade and Danish links. The harbour and old town give it a seafaring character, with a relaxed borderland feel.
The earliest train runs at 08:25, the last at 20:15. The fastest train covers the 68 km distance in 1h 9m.

Rendsburg is a canal town in Schleswig-Holstein best known for the Kiel Canal and the Rendsburg High Bridge. Its compact centre and maritime past give it a calm, practical character shaped by shipping and engineering.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 09:32, the last at 19:57. The fastest train covers the 31 km distance in 31m.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Kiel 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 Kiel, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cologne to Kiel trains use the Köln Hbf to Kiel Hbf station pair. Use this guide to compare Cologne and Kiel 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.
Kiel 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: MUM&DAD, Lunatique, McDonald's, Campus Suite
Wi-Fi is available at Kiel Hbf. ATMs are available at Kiel Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Kiel Hbf. Information desks are available at Kiel Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Kiel Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Kiel Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Kiel Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Kiel Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Wiking, Hotel Berliner Hof Kiel, Astor, InterCityHotel Kiel.
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