The cheapest and fastest trains from Leiden to Cologne
Cheapest price
£60
Average price
£60
Fastest journey
4 h 1 m
Average duration
4 h 9 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
218 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Leiden to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Leiden to Cologne will cost around £60 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £60.
To travel from Leiden to Cologne you need to make at least 3 changes.
IC 3520 · IC 1131 · IC 3029 · 22613
IC 3529 · IC 3029 · 22613 · RB 10621
RE 6731 · IC 2931 · IC 3931 · RE 18931
IC 3520 · IC 1131 · IC 3029 · 22613
IC 3529 · IC 3029 · 22613 · RB 10621
RE 6731 · IC 2931 · IC 3931 · RE 18931Travel Information
Compare coach, train and flight for Leiden to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Leiden to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £17. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 32m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £17, and a flight costs an average of £226.
Distance: 218 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£51 Average Price | £21 Average Price Cheapest | £515 Average Price |
4h 2m Average total duration Fastest 3h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 7m Average total duration 4h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 23m Average total duration 5h 23m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Leiden to Cologne train times
The table below shows live departures for Leiden to Cologne trains for today, Friday 5 December. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IC 3527 · ICE 225 | On time 06:58 Leiden Centraal | 3h14 | 10:12 Cologne Messe/Deutz | 1 change | |
IC 3529 · 22613 · RB 10621 | On time 07:28 Leiden Centraal | 4h07 | 11:35 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
IC 3520 · IC 1131 · IC 3529 · 22613 | On time 07:34 Leiden Centraal | 4h01 | 11:35 Cologne Hbf | 4 changes | |
IC 3131+ VIA 21211 · VIA 20019+ RE 26816 | On time 07:45 Leiden Centraal | 4h27 | 12:12 Cologne Hbf | 3 changes | |
| Saturday 6 December | |||||
![]() | 06:23 Leiden | 4h21 | 10:44 Cologne | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 06:29 Leiden | 4h06 | 10:35 Cologne | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 06:31 Leiden | 4h04 | 10:35 Cologne | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 06:32 Leiden | 4h03 | 10:35 Cologne | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Leiden to Cologne by coach, train or flight
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.
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Journey information
Overview: Train from Leiden to Cologne
Trains from Leiden to Cologne run on average 7 times per day, taking around 3h 32m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £18 but you can travel from only £17 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 22:12. The fastest train covers the 218 km distance in 3h 3m.
Distance 218 km |
Average train duration 3h 32m |
Cheapest ticket price £18 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 3h 3m |
First train 00:02 |
Last train 22:12 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, VIAS Rail GmbH from Leiden to Cologne trainsDeutsche Bahn, VIAS Rail GmbH trains will get you between Leiden and Cologne from £17. 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.
VIAS Rail GmbH
FAQs: Leiden to Cologne train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Leiden to Cologne 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 Cologne, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Leiden and Cologne
- 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, accessible from the main entrance.
- Restaurant De Bruine Boon
- Grand Café Van Buuren
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- €0.70
- Ibis Leiden Centre
- Golden Tulip Leiden Centre
- City Hotel Nieuw Minerva
- Located in the main hall
- 4720 places, some covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-4 for intercity trains
- Hall 2: platform 5-9 for local trains
- Bus: Several lines available
- Train: Intercity and local services
- 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.
- I Siciliani-Dolce&Salato
- Burger King
- Café Franck
- Eichendorf
- Kölnotel
- Black Hotels
- Monday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Tuesday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Wednesday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Thursday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Friday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Saturday: 09:00 13:30 - 13:00 16:00
- Sunday: 12:00 16:00 - 15:30 20:00
- Café Bistro Leysieffer
- Mishba
- Ständige Vertretung
- Kamps
Most popular train connections from Leiden
More options for your journey from Leiden to Cologne
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