4.9
4.6
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Birmingham to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £100 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 50m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the coach is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.6 - 1.6kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £100, while a flight costs an average of £498.
Distance: 633 km
Most popular Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£100 Average Price Cheapest | £498 Average Price | £63 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
17h 41m Average total duration 17h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 50m Average total duration Fastest 3h 50m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 8h 54m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.6 - 1.6kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.9 - 3.8kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular bus company |  Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Compare the available ways to get from Birmingham to Cologne, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham to Cologne:
A coach is £398 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Birmingham to Cologne costing on average £498.
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Coach takes on average 17h 41m.
Tickets start at around £100 compared to roughly £63 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about -£37. The journey takes 17h 11m versus 8h 54m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
How to get to Cologne from Birmingham by train, bus, flight or ferry.
The best way to travel from Birmingham to Cologne is by taking a coach because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
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FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
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LH953+
LH108+LH1984
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FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
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FlixBus · FlixBus
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FlixBus · FlixBus+
FlixTrain
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LX425+
LX4424
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LH953 · LH110+LH5351
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LH953 · LH106 · LH1984
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Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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.
The most popular day trips by train from Cologne are Bonn, Düsseldorf, Aachen, Koblenz and Leverkusen. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your train from Cologne on Omio.
Bonn is best known as Beethoven’s birthplace and the former capital of West Germany. Set on the Rhine, it feels calm and cultured, with museums, leafy neighbourhoods and a strong university presence.
Düsseldorf is known for fashion, contemporary art and its lively Altstadt on the Rhine. Sleek shopping streets, traditional breweries and bold modern architecture give it a polished yet sociable character.
Aachen is best known for its cathedral and its close ties to Charlemagne and imperial history. Near the borders with Belgium and the Netherlands, it feels compact, youthful and international, with thermal spa traditions and a busy university scene.
Koblenz sits at the meeting point of the Rhine and Moselle, with a historic centre shaped by Roman beginnings and river trade. It is known for the Deutsches Eck and Ehrenbreitstein, while vineyards and waterfront views give it a calm, lived-in feel.
Leverkusen is best known as the home of Bayer and football club Bayer 04 Leverkusen. It feels modern and practical, with industrial roots, Rhine-side green spaces and a few cultural sights such as the Japanese Garden.
Travel to Cologne easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Birmingham to Cologne.
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham to Cologne:
A coach is £398 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Birmingham to Cologne costing on average £498.
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Coach takes on average 17h 41m.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Birmingham and Cologne as scheduled services by train, coach and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
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