- Recommended
Museum der Bayerischen Könige
Museum in the former grand hotel of Hohenschwangau, presenting Bavarian kings, court life and the region's royal history.
Cheapest price on 19 Sept
£61
Average ticket price on 19 Sept
£78
Fastest journey on 19 Sept
5 h 53 m
Average journey duration on 19 Sept
6 h 24 m
Trains on 19 Sept
2
Distance
463 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne to Schwangau is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Schwangau will cost around £78 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £61.
On Sat 19 Sept, we found 2 trains from Cologne to Schwangau, including 2 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 463 km distance in an average of 6 h 24 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 53 m .
The slowest trains will take 6 h 54 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 flight as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Schwangau among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £64 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 44m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £64, while a flight costs an average of £392.
Distance: 463 km
| Train | Most popular Flight | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£128 Average Price | £392 Average Price | £64 Average Price Cheapest | £77 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 30m Average total duration 6h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 44m Average total duration Fastest 1h 44m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 11h 15m Average total duration 10h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 7m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.4 - 2.8kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | 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 Schwangau:
A coach is £65 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Schwangau costing on average £128.
A coach is £328 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Schwangau costing on average £392.
Other travel options to Schwangau take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 0m.
Coach takes on average 10h 45m.
You'll arrive about 7m sooner (6h 0m by train vs 6h 7m by car). Tickets start at around £128 compared to roughly £77 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Schwangau trains for tomorrow, Saturday 19 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:54 Cologne | 5h53 | 12:47 Schwangau | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:53 Cologne | 6h54 | 14:47 Schwangau | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach, train and flight 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 Schwangau run on average 16 times per day, taking around 6h 0m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £45 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 04:50, the last at 23:27. The fastest train covers the 463 km distance in 4h 52m.
Distance 463 km |
Average train duration 6h 0m |
Cheapest ticket price £45 |
Trains per day 16 |
Fastest train 4h 52m |
First train 4:50 |
Last train 23:27 |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Discover the best of Schwangau — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Schwangau trip today.
Museum in the former grand hotel of Hohenschwangau, presenting Bavarian kings, court life and the region's royal history.
Nearby museum in Füssen's former abbey complex with painting, sculpture and cultural history from the Ostallgäu region.
Branch of the Bavarian State Painting Collections in nearby Füssen, showing medieval and baroque works in a former monastery.
The famous bridge above Pöllat Gorge offers one of the best outward views towards Neuschwanstein and the surrounding mountains.
Large lake at the foot of the castles, popular for walking, swimming in season and scenic reflections of the mountains.
A mountain viewpoint reached by Tegelbergbahn and short walks, rewarding visitors with broad views over castles, lakes and peaks.
Käsespätzle are soft egg noodles layered with melted cheese and topped with fried onions, a beloved Alpine comfort dish found across Bavaria and nearby Allgäu.
Schweinshaxe is roasted pork knuckle with crisp crackling, traditionally served with gravy and dumplings, and is a hearty Bavarian inn classic.
Weisswurst is a mild veal and pork sausage seasoned with parsley and spices, classically eaten in Bavaria with sweet mustard and a pretzel.
Casual beer garden and inn for Bavarian staples, local beer and relaxed outdoor dining with mountain views in Schwangau.
Traditional Bavarian inn near the royal castles, known for hearty regional dishes and a rustic setting popular with visitors to Hohenschwangau.
Historic hotel restaurant serving Bavarian and seasonal cuisine in an elegant Alpine setting close to the lakes and castles.
Moderate for Bavaria. Hotels near Neuschwanstein can be pricey, but casual meals and local buses are manageable for most visitors.
Service is usually included. Round up in cafés and taxis, or add about 5-10% in restaurants for good service, and hand it directly when paying.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Schwangau 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 Schwangau, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cologne to Schwangau trains use the Köln Hbf to Füssen station pair. Use this guide to compare Cologne and Schwangau 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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need