How to get to Cologne from Madrid

Wed 07 Oct
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1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for Madrid to Cologne

Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £112 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 6h 8m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the coach is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 1.4 - 3.6kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £112, while a flight costs an average of £354.

Distance: 1430 km

Compare flight with

Most popular
Flight
Coach
Driving

£354

Average Price

£112

Average Price

Cheapest

£257

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

6h 8m

Average total duration

Fastest

4h 8m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

25h 49m

Average total duration

25h 19m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

18h 6m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

4.3 - 8.6kg

CO2 emissions

1.4 - 3.6kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

-

CO2 emissions

Lufthansa

Most popular airline

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

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.

The cheapest way to travel from Madrid to Cologne is a coach with an average price of £112.

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

A coach is £243 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Cologne costing on average £354.

The fastest way to travel from Madrid to Cologne is by flight with an average journey time of 6h 8m.

Other travel options to Cologne take longer:

Coach takes on average 25h 49m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Madrid and Cologne including taking a train, coach and flight.
Take the flight. It's the quicker way to make this trip, and the time saved usually justifies the slightly higher cost.

You'll arrive about 13h 58m sooner (4h 8m by flight vs 18h 6m by car). Tickets start at around £354 compared to roughly £257 in fuel and tolls — a bit more, but you get time back and avoid a long drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group, want flexibility on timing, or plan to stop en route.

Travel options
from Madrid to Cologne

How to get to Cologne from Madrid by train, bus, flight or ferry.

Our recommendation

flight

The best way to travel from Madrid to Cologne is by taking a flight because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • RyanairFR 2063+Malta AirFR 8665
    18:057h10
    Madrid Barajas Airport
    1:15Cologne Bonn Airport
    £631One-way
    1 change

Cheapest

  • RyanairFR 2063+Malta AirFR 8665
    18:057h10
    Madrid Barajas Airport
    1:15Cologne Bonn Airport
    £631One-way
    1 change

Fastest

  • LufthansaLH1984+Lufthansa City AirlinesLH4163
    14:554h35
    Madrid Barajas Airport
    19:30Cologne Bonn Airport
    £9701One-way
    1 change

Other options

  • BlaBlaCar Bus4004 · 50428
    15:3026h20
    Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses
    17:50Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    £771One-way
    1 change
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    23:5932h11
    Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid)
    8:10Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    £981One-way
    1 change
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    23:3532h35
    Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses
    8:10Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    £1011One-way
    1 change
  • RyanairFR 2061+Malta AirFR 8665
    12:0013h15
    Madrid Barajas Airport
    1:15Cologne Bonn Airport
    £631One-way
    1 change
  • RyanairFR 2775 · FR 5519
    8:356h40
    Madrid Barajas Airport
    15:15Cologne Bonn Airport
    £651One-way
    1 change
  • RyanairFR 404 · FR 5519
    5:459h30
    Madrid Barajas Airport
    15:15Cologne Bonn Airport
    £651One-way
    1 change

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, coaches, flights and ferries

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.

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Best day trips from Cologne by train

The most popular day trips by train from Cologne are Bonn, Düsseldorf, Aachen, Leverkusen and Koblenz. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your train from Cologne on Omio.

A view of Bonn

Day trip from Cologne to Bonn by train

Why visit Bonn for the day?

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.

A view of Düsseldorf

Day trip from Cologne to Düsseldorf by train

Why visit Düsseldorf for the day?

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.

A view of Aachen

Day trip from Cologne to Aachen by train

Why visit Aachen for the day?

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.

A view of Leverkusen

Day trip from Cologne to Leverkusen by train

Why visit Leverkusen for the day?

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.

A view of Koblenz

Day trip from Cologne to Koblenz by train

Why visit Koblenz for the day?

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.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

FAQs: Madrid to Cologne

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 Madrid to Cologne.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Madrid and Cologne including taking a train, coach and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Madrid to Cologne is a coach with an average price of £112.

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

A coach is £243 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Cologne costing on average £354.

The fastest way to travel from Madrid to Cologne is by flight with an average journey time of 6h 8m.

Other travel options to Cologne take longer:

Coach takes on average 25h 49m.

The Madrid to Cologne distance is approximately 1430 km.
The average frequency per day from Madrid to Cologne is:
  • Around 11 flights per day.
  • Around 7 coaches per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Madrid and Cologne as scheduled services by train, coach and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Madrid to Cologne:
  • Flights mostly depart from Madrid Barajas Airport and arrive in Cologne Bonn Airport.
  • Coaches mostly depart from Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Madrid to Cologne, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, Infobus to go to Cologne by coach.
  • Travel with Malta Air, Ryanair, Lufthansa, Iberia, Lufthansa City Airlines, Lufthansa Cityline, Air Europa, Swiss, BA Cityflyer, Brussels Airlines, Smartwings, Air Baltic, Turkish Airlines, Helvetic Airways, British Airways, Edelweiss Air to go to Cologne by flight.
Omio customers who travel from Madrid to Cologne often also extend their vacation to go to Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, London, Brussels. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Cologne and these popular destinations at a great price.
To get from Madrid to Cologne, you can choose from several travel options including train, coach and flight.
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.

Travelling from Madrid to Cologne: related information

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeTravelTravel to GermanyTravel to CologneHow to get to Cologne from Madrid

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