Paderborn to Cologne train with Deutsche Bahn (ICE,IC,RE)

Sun 13 Sept
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Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
Eurobahn
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
Eurobahn
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Paderborn to Cologne

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 13 Sept

Cheapest price on 13 Sept

£22

Average ticket price on 13 Sept

£40

Fastest journey on 13 Sept

2 h 26 m

Average journey duration on 13 Sept

4 h 21 m

Trains on 13 Sept

6

Distance

153 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Paderborn to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Paderborn to Cologne will cost around £40 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £22.

Fast trains

To travel from Paderborn to Cologne you need to make at least one change.

  • FlixBusFlixBus+FlixTrainFlixTrain
    7:206h21
    Paderborn, Maspernplatz-West
    13:41Cologne Hbf
    £221One-way
    1 change
  • NordWestBahn75088+Deutsche BahnICE 1540
    0:236h17
    Paderborn Hbf
    6:40Cologne Hbf
    £321One-way
    1 change
  • Deutsche Bahn91898 · 90356 · 26848
    0:153h56
    Paderborn Hbf
    4:11Cologne Hbf
    £461One-way
    2 changes
  • NordWestBahn75088+Deutsche BahnBus RB69 · 26802
    0:235h48
    Paderborn Hbf
    6:11Cologne Hbf
    £461One-way
    2 changes
  • Deutsche Bahn26708 · 17411
    8:122h26
    Paderborn Hbf
    10:38Cologne Hbf
    £461One-way
    1 change

Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for Paderborn to Cologne

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Paderborn to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £24 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 58m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £24, while a flight costs an average of £295.

Distance: 153 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach
Flight
Driving

£25

Average Price

£24

Average Price

Cheapest

£295

Average Price

£25

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

2h 58m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 28m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 40m

Average total duration

3h 10m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

6h 57m

Average total duration

4h 57m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

2h 16m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.2 - 0.4kg

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.

The cheapest way to travel from Paderborn to Cologne is a coach with an average price of £24.

This is compared to other travel options from Paderborn to Cologne:

A coach is £2 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Paderborn to Cologne costing on average £25.

A coach is £271 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Paderborn to Cologne costing on average £295.

The fastest way to travel from Paderborn to Cologne is by train with an average journey time of 2h 28m.

Other travel options to Cologne take longer:

Coach takes on average 3h 10m.

Flight takes on average 4h 57m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Paderborn and Cologne including taking a train, coach and flight.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.

Tickets start at around £25 compared to roughly £25 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-0.77. The journey takes 2h 28m versus 2h 16m 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.

Live departures

Paderborn to Cologne train times

The table below shows live departures for Paderborn to Cologne trains for tomorrow, Sunday 13 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Deutsche Bahn91898 · 90356 · 268480:15 Paderborn Hbf
3h56
4:11 Cologne Hbf2 changes
NordWestBahn75088+Deutsche BahnBus RB69 · 268020:23 Paderborn Hbf
5h48
6:11 Cologne Hbf2 changes
NordWestBahn75088+Deutsche BahnICE 1540
On time
0:23 Paderborn Hbf
6h17
6:40 Cologne Hbf
1 change
Deutsche Bahn90008 · 174096:21 Paderborn Hbf
3h17
9:38 Cologne Hbf1 change
FlixBusFlixBus+FlixTrainFlixTrain7:20 Paderborn, Maspernplatz-West
6h21
13:41 Cologne Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn26708 · 174118:12 Paderborn Hbf
2h26
10:38 Cologne Hbf1 change

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Paderborn to Cologne by train, coach or flight

Compare train, coach 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.

Sun
13 Sept
Mon
14 Sept
Tue
15 Sept
Wed
16 Sept
Thu
17 Sept
Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept

Why should you book Paderborn to Cologne trains with Omio?

Deutsche Bahn as well as Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) or Eurobahn offer trains services from Paderborn to Cologne.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Paderborn to Cologne.

Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn, but also compare tickets for the likes of Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) or Eurobahn to find the best option for your trip from Paderborn to Cologne.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Deutsche Bahn with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Paderborn to Cologne.

Why book with Omio over Trainline or Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Paderborn to Cologne.

ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Paderborn to Cologne

userReviewImage
userReviewLogo
The customer opinion was acquired via Cimenio. Cimenio incentivises its users for giving an honest opinion and proving the booking with a photo of the travel ticket.
Advantages
IconNo changes and no delays
Iconwith snack machine
IconClean train and hygienic toilet
IconGood equipment
Disadvantages
IconHigh capacity utilisation and excessive volume on the train
IconAnnouncements very incomprehensible
IconNo ticket inspection
The train had been very full here, so I had to stand. That's why it was also very noisy. Furthermore, the announcements had been very incomprehensible and there was no ticket inspection. At least the train was quite clean and the toilets also looked very hygienic. There was also a snack machine on the train. There was a good wifi connection and plenty of power sockets. The train had not been delayed and I didn't have to change trains to get to my destination. Despite this, the journey was not so nice.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Paderborn to Cologne

GermanyGermany
GermanyGermany
Icon of train

Trains from Paderborn to Cologne run on average 8 times per day, taking around 2h 28m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £17 if you book in advance.

The earliest train runs at 00:12, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 153 km distance in 2h 21m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
153 km
Average train duration
2h 28m
Cheapest ticket price
£17
Trains per day
8
Fastest train
2h 21m
First train
0:12
Last train
23:58
Cheapest Month
Mar
Cheapest Day
Mon
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Thu
Least Busy Day
Fri
Best time to book
1 day
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Eurobahn from Paderborn to Cologne trainsDeutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Eurobahn trains will get you between Paderborn 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

About
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany’s main train operator, running around 40,000 domestic and international services each day. Its fleet includes a variety of train types: high-speed ICE (Intercity Express) trains, reaching up to 300 km/h; IC (Intercity) and EC (EuroCity) trains for long-distance travel; and IRE (Interregio-Express), RE (Regional Express), and RB (Regionalbahn) services for regional and local connections. While bathrooms are standard on all trains, amenities such as onboard restaurants and free Wi-Fi are available only on certain train types and routes. DB offers a wide range of fares, including Super Saver, Saver, and Flexible tickets, along with discount cards like the BahnCard 25, 50, and 100. Additional options include single tickets, day tickets, and group tickets. Popular routes include Berlin–Munich, Hamburg–Frankfurt, Cologne–Stuttgart, Berlin–Dresden, and Hamburg–Cologne, as well as numerous regional services across Germany.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Deutsche Bahn Duration
2h 21m
Cheapest Deutsche Bahn Price
£18
Luggage included
Passengers are allowed to bring hand luggage and one additional larger item free of charge, provided they can carry it themselves
Luggage storage
Luggage can be stored in overhead racks, under the seat, or in designated luggage areas near the doors or in the middle of the carriage.
Cancellation Policy
Tickets can be canceled based on their fare conditions as mentioned in what type of train tickets are refundable?
Refund
If DB cancels a train, passengers are entitled to a full refund of the ticket price.
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Most ICE and many IC/EC trains have:
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.
Seat reservation
Second Class:
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.
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
DB trains are equipped with facilities for passengers with reduced mobility, including wheelchair spaces, accessible restrooms, and assistance services.
Pets
Small pets (e.g. cats, small dogs, etc.):
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.
Quiet zone

What's included in each class

Compare Deutsche Bahn classes and the amenities included in each one.

1st Class
  • Power plugs
  • Wide seats
  • Extra legroom
  • Quiet zone
  • WC
2nd Class
  • Power plugs
  • WC

Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) Duration
2h 23m
Cheapest Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) Price
£36
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) frequency
4 a day

Eurobahn

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Eurobahn Duration
2h 34m
Cheapest Eurobahn Price
£47
Eurobahn frequency
4 a day

Complete guide to Cologne

Things to do in Cologne

Discover the best of Cologne — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cologne trip today.

  • Must visit

Museum Ludwig

Important collection of modern and contemporary art near the cathedral, including Pop Art and post-war works. A staple for art-focused visitors.

  • Must visit

Römisch-Germanisches Museum

Archaeological museum built around Roman remains, especially the Dionysus mosaic. Excellent for understanding Cologne’s Roman origins.

  • Recommended

Museum Schnütgen

Major art museum with medieval painting, sculpture and applied arts. A strong choice for seeing Cologne’s artistic heritage in one place.

Euro (€)

Moderate for Germany: hotels can be pricey in peak periods, but dining and public transport are broadly manageable for most city-break budgets.

Average meal costs

Budget
€8-12 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range
€18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
€60+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
€2.80-4.50 for a coffee.

Tipping culture

Service is often included, but it is usual to round up or add about 5-10% in restaurants. Round up taxi fares, and leave small change in cafés if service was good.

FAQs: Paderborn to Cologne train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Paderborn 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.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Paderborn to Cologne can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £17, while the average price tends to be around £25.
The train journey from Paderborn to Cologne covers a distance of 153 km and takes approximately 2h 21m. Trains run 8 per day.
The train distance from Paderborn to Cologne is 153 km.
The first train from Paderborn to Cologne leaves at 0:12.
The last train from Paderborn to Cologne departs at 23:58.
Trains from Paderborn to Cologne run approximately 8 times per day.
Yes, there is a direct train between Paderborn and Cologne. The service operates 0 times per day, provided by Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC).
To get from Paderborn to Cologne, you can choose from several travel options including train, coach and flight.
There is no night train service from Paderborn to Cologne.
The train station in Paderborn that goes to Cologne is Paderborn Hbf, and it arrives at Cologne Hbf.
The cheapest way to get from Paderborn to Cologne is by train, costing approximately £17.
Booking trains from Paderborn to Cologne in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Paderborn to Cologne offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with views of the Teutoburg Forest and the picturesque River Rhine as you approach Cologne. While it may not be the most scenic train route in Germany, it provides pleasant views of the German countryside.
A day trip from Paderborn to Cologne is not feasible as the travel duration is 2h 21m. However, there are 8 train journeys available per day covering a distance of 153 km.
In Cologne, visitors can explore the Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with impressive Gothic architecture, and visit the Museum Ludwig for modern art by artists like Picasso and Warhol. A Rhine River Cruise offers scenic views of the city's skyline and landmarks, while the Hohenzollern Bridge is known for love locks and panoramic river views. The Old Town (Altstadt) charms with historic streets and traditional beer halls. Families might enjoy the Cologne Zoo, which is rich in diverse animal species. For culture and entertainment, attend a concert at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall, or discover the Belgian Quarter’s trendy boutiques and cafes. The Cologne Chocolate Museum provides an interactive experience about chocolate history, and the Botanical Gardens Flora showcases beautiful plant species and floral displays.
To fully enjoy Cologne's main attractions, including the Cologne Cathedral, museums, and Rhine River cruises, plan to spend about 2 to 3 days.
Yes, you can take the train from Paderborn to Cologne.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Paderborn and Cologne

Most Paderborn to Cologne trains use the Paderborn Hbf to Köln Hbf station pair, with some services arriving at Köln/Bonn Flughafen. Use this guide to compare Paderborn and Cologne train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Paderborn
Arrival train stations in Cologne

Which Paderborn station do trains to Cologne leave from?

Trains from Paderborn to Cologne leave from Paderborn Hbf. The station is 1 km from Paderborn city centre at Paderborn Hbf, Bahnhofstr. 29, 33102 Paderborn.
Paderborn HbfPaderborn Hbf, Bahnhofstr. 29, 33102 PaderbornWifiLockersShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Paderborn Hbf from Paderborn city centre

Paderborn Hbf is 1 km from Paderborn city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainRb74 · 2m · £0.90 · every ~3 min
Bus1, 5, 9, 23, 13, N1 · 3m · every ~14 min
R61, S60, 493, 471, 470, 411 · 8m

Paderborn Hbf train station facilities and services

Paderborn 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 and drink

Food options include: Koya Kitchen, Café Central, Moso Sushi & Grill, Waffel Dream

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Paderborn Hbf. ATMs are available at Paderborn Hbf.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Paderborn Hbf. Information desks are available at Paderborn Hbf.

Luggage and lost property

Luggage storage is available at Paderborn Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Paderborn Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Paderborn Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Paderborn Hbf.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Haus Irma, Südhotel.

Paderborn NordPaderborn Nord, Nordstr. 46, 33102 PaderbornWifiLockersShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Paderborn Nord from Paderborn city centre

Paderborn Nord is 1 km from Paderborn city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainRb74 · 2m · £0.90 · every ~3 min
Bus1, 5, 9, 23, 13, N1 · 3m · every ~14 min
R61, S60, 493, 471, 470, 411 · 8m

Paderborn Nord train station facilities and services

Paderborn Nord 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 and drink

Food options include: Cafeteria, Café Röhren, Cherusker Klause, Haci Baba

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Paderborn Nord. ATMs are available at Paderborn Nord.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Paderborn Nord. Information desks are available at Paderborn Nord.

Luggage and lost property

Luggage storage is available at Paderborn Nord. Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Paderborn Nord: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Paderborn Nord: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Paderborn Nord.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Aspethera, Zur Mühle, Arthotel Ana Fleur, Cherusker Hof.

Paderborn-SennelagerSennelager, Sennebahnhof 7, 33098 PaderbornWifiLockersShoppingParkingTaxisAccessibilityWCLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingCar RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Paderborn-Sennelager from Paderborn city centre

Paderborn-Sennelager is 6 km from Paderborn city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainRb74 · 12m · £4 · every ~2 min
BusRb74 · 15m
N1, 1 · 16m · every ~5 min
N1, 1 · 25m · every ~5 min
1 · 31m · every ~4 min

Paderborn-Sennelager train station facilities and services

Paderborn-Sennelager has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Paderborn-Sennelager.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Paderborn-Sennelager. Information desks are available at Paderborn-Sennelager.

Luggage and lost property

Luggage storage is available at Paderborn-Sennelager. Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Paderborn-Sennelager: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Paderborn-Sennelager: Bike Parking, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Paderborn-Sennelager.

Most popular train connections from Paderborn

More options for your journey from Paderborn to Cologne

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