1st Class
- Power plugs
- Wide seats
- Extra legroom
- Quiet zone
- WC
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
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.
To travel from Paderborn to Cologne you need to make at least one change.
FlixBus+
FlixTrain
75088+
ICE 1540
91898 · 90356 · 26848
75088+
Bus RB69 · 26802
26708 · 17411
26708 · 17411
90008 · 17409
91898 · 90356 · 26848
75088+
Bus RB69 · 26802
75088+
ICE 1540Omio 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
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.
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.
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Coach takes on average 3h 10m.
Flight takes on average 4h 57m.
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.
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.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
91898 · 90356 · 26848 | 0:15 Paderborn Hbf | 3h56 | 4:11 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
75088+ Bus RB69 · 26802 | 0:23 Paderborn Hbf | 5h48 | 6:11 Cologne Hbf | 2 changes | |
75088+ ICE 1540 | On time 0:23 Paderborn Hbf | 6h17 | 6:40 Cologne Hbf | 1 change | |
90008 · 17409 | 6:21 Paderborn Hbf | 3h17 | 9:38 Cologne Hbf | 1 change | |
FlixBus+ FlixTrain | 7:20 Paderborn, Maspernplatz-West | 6h21 | 13:41 Cologne Hbf | 1 change | |
26708 · 17411 | 8:12 Paderborn Hbf | 2h26 | 10:38 Cologne Hbf | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.

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.
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 |
Compare Deutsche Bahn classes and the amenities included in each one.
Discover the best of Cologne — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cologne trip today.
Important collection of modern and contemporary art near the cathedral, including Pop Art and post-war works. A staple for art-focused visitors.
Archaeological museum built around Roman remains, especially the Dionysus mosaic. Excellent for understanding Cologne’s Roman origins.
Major art museum with medieval painting, sculpture and applied arts. A strong choice for seeing Cologne’s artistic heritage in one place.
Historic old town lanes and squares by the Rhine, packed with colourful houses, churches and viewpoints. Ideal for a classic Cologne stroll.
Long Rhine promenade with bridge, cathedral and river views. Popular for walking, photography and watching boats pass through the city centre.
Lively square in the old town framed by historic buildings and museums. A useful base for sightseeing and one of Cologne’s best-known public spaces.
Rye bread with butter, cheese, ham or sausage, traditionally served in Cologne breweries as a simple local snack with Kölsch.
Hearty dish of black pudding with fried onions and mashed potatoes, a Rhineland classic closely associated with Cologne home cooking.
Slow-cooked horsemeat in a sweet-sour raisin sauce, a historic Rhineland speciality still served in a few traditional Cologne restaurants.
Classic Brauhaus serving Päffgen Kölsch and Rhineland favourites in a bustling, wood-panelled setting popular with locals.
Traditional brewery venue by Heumarkt with house Kölsch and dependable regional cooking in a spacious historic hall.
Long-established restaurant for refined German and Rhineland cooking, with a more formal atmosphere than a typical Brauhaus.
Moderate for Germany: hotels can be pricey in peak periods, but dining and public transport are broadly manageable for most city-break budgets.
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.
Official public transport app
Cologne Hbf -> Neumarkt, Cologne
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.

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.
Paderborn Hbf is 1 km from Paderborn city centre. Public transport options include:
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 options include: Koya Kitchen, Café Central, Moso Sushi & Grill, Waffel Dream
Wi-Fi is available at Paderborn Hbf. ATMs are available at Paderborn Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Paderborn Hbf. Information desks are available at Paderborn Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Paderborn Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Paderborn Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Paderborn Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Paderborn Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Haus Irma, Südhotel.
Paderborn Nord is 1 km from Paderborn city centre. Public transport options include:
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 options include: Cafeteria, Café Röhren, Cherusker Klause, Haci Baba
Wi-Fi is available at Paderborn Nord. ATMs are available at Paderborn Nord.
Ticket office support is available at Paderborn Nord. Information desks are available at Paderborn Nord.
Luggage storage is available at Paderborn Nord. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Paderborn Nord: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Paderborn Nord: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Paderborn Nord.
Nearby hotels include Aspethera, Zur Mühle, Arthotel Ana Fleur, Cherusker Hof.
Paderborn-Sennelager is 6 km from Paderborn city centre. Public transport options include:
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 is available at Paderborn-Sennelager.
Ticket office support is available at Paderborn-Sennelager. Information desks are available at Paderborn-Sennelager.
Luggage storage is available at Paderborn-Sennelager. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Paderborn-Sennelager: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Paderborn-Sennelager: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Paderborn-Sennelager.
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/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.
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.
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