Travel optionsfrom Amsterdam to Cologne
You can get from Amsterdam to Cologne by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
To get from Amsterdam to Cologne on 24 May we recommend taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
Cheapest
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Travel Information between Amsterdam and Cologne
 | Distance | 133 miles (214 km) |
 | Available travel modes | Coach or train |
 | Ticket price range | £11 - £17 |
 | Cheapest mode | Coach • £11 • 3 h 45 min |
 | Fastest mode | Train • £17 • 2 h 34 min |
 | Popular travel companies | STUDENT AGENCY k. S. Or Deutsche Bahn |
Travel 133 miles (214 km) by coach or train from Amsterdam to Cologne. If speed is a priority, then a train is the best option with an average duration of 2 h 34 min; whereas, if saving money is more important, then a coach is the best option with prices starting as low as £11. The most popular travel providers which serve this trip are STUDENT AGENCY k. S. Or Deutsche Bahn among others. Travellers can even take a direct from Amsterdam to Cologne.
Travel from Amsterdam to Cologne: Journey Details
People traveling from Amsterdam to Cologne can take a bus, catch a Deutsche Bahn train or take a quick flight straight to Cologne. The fastest way to travel is probably flying, although taking a train can get you there in just 4 hours, and coaches aren't that much slower, while car pooling services from Bla Bla Car can be quicker still.
Return trips from Cologne to Amsterdam are also available.
Coaches from Amsterdam to Cologne
Eurolines, Megabus, Semitimes and Regiojet all provide daily direct coaches from Amsterdam to Cologne. Every day, there are 4 direct coaches, and all of them leave in early afternoon between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The fastest coaches take 5 hours 15 minutes, while some services take 7 hours, so there is quite a lot of variation. There are also indirect Flixbus coaches that take 4 hours to reach Cologne with a stop in Leverkusen.
Trains from Amsterdam to Cologne
Deutsche Bahn operates frequent trains from Amsterdam to Cologne. Trains start departing as early as 5:20 a.m. and continue to leave almost every hour until a final departure at 8:30 p.m. There are no direct services to Cologne from Amsterdam and a change in Arnhem is usually required. Even then, the journey time is only around 3 hours with the change included.
Flights from Amsterdam to Cologne
KLM operates direct flights from Amsterdam to Cologne. The earliest flight leaves Amsterdam at 6:50 a.m. and there are four other departures throughout the day, concluding with a 4:50 p.m. take off time. All flights take 50 minutes to reach their destination, but when transit times are factored in, this can rise to around 4 hours, door to door.
Travel Tips: Travel from Amsterdam to Cologne
What are the COVID-19 travel restrictions for Cologne, Germany if I’m coming from Amsterdam, Netherlands?
Travel between Amsterdam, Netherlands and Cologne, Germany is: Partially open.
Can travellers from Netherlands enter Germany?
International entry is allowed at this time for: Entry is partially open for citizens and permanent residents of Netherlands.
Are there rules for self-quarantine when arriving to Cologne from Amsterdam?
Conditions of entry into Germany:
- Travellers must present a negative COVID-19 test as either a RT-PCR performed within 3 hours prior to arrival, or an Antigen test performed within 2 hours prior to arrival
- Travellers with a certificate of vaccination are exempt from providing a negative COVID-19 test
- Travellers who have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 9 months are exempt from providing a negative COVID-19 test (certificate needed)
Are there COVID-19 safety rules for social distancing and wearing face masks in Cologne, Germany?
To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the government of Germany has imposed the following measures:
- Physical distance requirement: 1.5 metre (s) (5 feet)
- Face mask requirement: Mandatory
This information was last checked on 22/05/2022. As this information can change due to the nature of the pandemic, make sure to review the latest COVID-19 travel safety regulations for your trip to Cologne from Amsterdam.
Are there restrictions on my return trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands from Cologne, Germany due to COVID-19?
The current restriction level for returning to Amsterdam, Netherlands from Germany is: Fully open.
Am I allowed to reenter Amsterdam, Netherlands from Cologne, Germany?
Reentering Netherlands is currently allowed for: Entry is fully open for citizens and permanent residents of Germany
Do I need to self-quarantine when I arrive back to Amsterdam from Cologne?
- There are no current restrictions
Which rules do I need to follow in Amsterdam, Netherlands regarding COVID-19?
All travellers returning to Netherlands must observe the following safety measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the country:
- Physical distance: 1.5 metre (s) (5 feet)
- Face masks: Mandatory
The information above was last checked on 16/05/2022. We do our best to keep this information up-to-date, but regulations can change due to the nature of the coronavirus pandemic, so please double check the latest COVID-19 travel safety regulations ahead of your trip back to Amsterdam from Cologne here.
How do you get from Amsterdam to Cologne?
There are 2 travel options from Amsterdam to Cologne: coach or train.
What is the cheapest way to travel from Amsterdam to Cologne?
The cheapest way from Amsterdam to Cologne is by taking a coach. You can find average ticket prices around £11 compared to other travel options to Cologne:
A coach journey is usually £5 less than a journey to Cologne by train, which costs on average £17 for the same trip.
What is the fastest way to get from Amsterdam to Cologne?
The fastest way from Amsterdam to Cologne is by train with an average journey time of 2 h 34 min.
Other travel options from Amsterdam to Cologne can usually take longer:
In comparison, taking a coach requires on average 3 h 45 min of travel time.
What is the distance from Amsterdam to Cologne?
Cologne is approximately 133 miles (214 km) away from Amsterdam.
How many scheduled departures are there a day from Amsterdam to Cologne?
The average frequency per day from Amsterdam to Cologne is:
- 12 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route to Cologne from Amsterdam as scheduled services by coach or train can vary by season or day of the week.
When going from Amsterdam to Cologne, where do I depart from Amsterdam and where do I arrive in Cologne?
These are the most popular departure and arrival points for travellers from Amsterdam to Cologne:
- Coaches mostly leave from Amsterdam, Radarweg (Sloterdijk) and tend to arrive in Köln, Köln Bonn Airport.
- Trains most often depart from Amsterdam at Amsterdam Centraal and arrive in Cologne at Köln Hbf.
Which travel companies can help me find a way to get from Amsterdam to Cologne?
Omio works with many trusted partners that can help you travel the best way from Amsterdam to Cologne:
- You can travel by coach between Amsterdam and Cologne with STUDENT AGENCY k. S. And you can find STUDENT AGENCY k. S. Amsterdam to Cologne tickets for £11 on Omio.
- You can travel by train between Amsterdam and Cologne with Deutsche Bahn, and you can find Deutsche Bahn Amsterdam to Cologne tickets for £17 on Omio.
What other popular destinations should I add to my itinerary for my trip to Cologne from Amsterdam?
How early should I buy Amsterdam to Cologne tickets online to score the best deals?
Before travelling from Amsterdam to Cologne, it’s good to know what ticket you can buy and how much it will cost in the next 7 days:
- The price of a coach ticket is £11 one way on average for this journey.
- The price of a train ticket is £17 one way on average for this journey.
But we recommend booking Amsterdam to Cologne tickets online a few months before your planned travel date to score the best deals and save money on your trip.
Travelling from Amsterdam to Cologne: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need