How to get to Cologne from Manchester

Wed 07 Oct
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Jet2.com
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Lufthansa Cityline
Lufthansa
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Lufthansa Cityline
Lufthansa
Air Baltic
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for Manchester to Cologne

Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £110 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 12m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the coach is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.7 - 1.7kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £110, while a flight costs an average of £358.

Distance: 686 km

Compare flight with

Most popular
Flight
Coach
Driving

£358

Average Price

£110

Average Price

Cheapest

£81

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

5h 12m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 12m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

19h 58m

Average total duration

19h 28m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

10h 27m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

2.1 - 4.1kg

CO2 emissions

0.7 - 1.7kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

-

CO2 emissions

Lufthansa City Airlines

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 Manchester to Cologne is a coach with an average price of £110.

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

A coach is £248 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Cologne costing on average £358.

The fastest way to travel from Manchester to Cologne is by flight with an average journey time of 5h 12m.

Other travel options to Cologne take longer:

Coach takes on average 19h 58m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Manchester 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 7h 15m sooner (3h 12m by flight vs 10h 27m by car). Tickets start at around £358 compared to roughly £81 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 Manchester to Cologne

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

Our recommendation

flight

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

  • RyanairFR 6630
    19:301h35
    Manchester Airport
    22:05Cologne Bonn Airport
    £211One-way
    0 changes

Cheapest

  • RyanairFR 6630
    19:301h35
    Manchester Airport
    22:05Cologne Bonn Airport
    £211One-way
    0 changes

Fastest

  • RyanairFR 6630
    19:301h35
    Manchester Airport
    22:05Cologne Bonn Airport
    £211One-way
    0 changes

Other options

  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus+FlixTrainFlixTrain
    14:5021h51
    Manchester, Shudehill Interchange
    13:41Cologne Hbf
    £691One-way
    2 changes
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus+FlixTrainFlixTrain
    13:5522h46
    Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East
    13:41Cologne Hbf
    £691One-way
    2 changes
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
    18:3527h05
    Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East
    22:40Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    £741One-way
    2 changes
  • RyanairFR 1593
    7:451h35
    Manchester Airport
    10:20Cologne Bonn Airport
    £381One-way
    0 changes
  • Helvetic AirwaysLX381+EurowingsLX4424
    18:4013h30
    Manchester Airport
    9:10Cologne Bonn Airport
    £2471One-way
    1 change
  • Helvetic AirwaysLX391+EurowingsLX4426
    9:007h05
    Manchester Airport
    17:05Cologne Bonn Airport
    £2631One-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.

Wed
07 Oct
Thu
08 Oct
Fri
09 Oct
Sat
10 Oct
Sun
11 Oct
Mon
12 Oct
Tue
13 Oct

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.

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FAQs: Manchester 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 Manchester to Cologne.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Manchester and Cologne including taking a train, coach and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Manchester to Cologne is a coach with an average price of £110.

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

A coach is £248 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Cologne costing on average £358.

The fastest way to travel from Manchester to Cologne is by flight with an average journey time of 5h 12m.

Other travel options to Cologne take longer:

Coach takes on average 19h 58m.

The Manchester to Cologne distance is approximately 686 km.
The average frequency per day from Manchester to Cologne is:
  • Around 9 flights per day.
  • Around 6 coaches per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Manchester 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 Manchester to Cologne:
  • Flights mostly depart from Manchester Airport and arrive in Cologne Bonn Airport.
  • Coaches mostly depart from Manchester, Shudehill Interchange and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Manchester to Cologne, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Jet2.com, Lufthansa Cityline, Lufthansa, Air Baltic, Loganair, Helvetic Airways, Swiss, Malta Air, British Airways, Ryanair, Lufthansa City Airlines, Austrian Airlines to go to Cologne by flight.
  • Travel with FlixBus to go to Cologne by coach.
Yes, there is a direct route available from Manchester to Cologne:
  • 1 direct flights per day with Jet2.com, Malta Air, Ryanair.
Omio customers who travel from Manchester 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 Manchester 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.
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