How to Get from Cologne to Dortmund
Cologne to Dortmund is 73 km in a straight line, and the fastest option takes 1h 08m by train. The trip takes 1h 45m by bus.
On Routavio you can compare the ways from Cologne to Dortmund by price and travel time (route calculated on 7 November 2026).
- 40 train departures a day with Deutsche Bahn
- First train at 04:00, last at 14:11
Compare the ways to get there. Then check them for your own date.
Start with the Whole Journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Cologne to Dortmund. The most useful door-to-door route takes 1h 45m by bus with no transfer. The two cities are about 73 km apart in a straight line. The operators below come from a real route search.
73 km in a straight line
Which Way Suits You?
| Transport | Ticket price | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | €7Omio catalogue, Nov 9 | 1h 08mFastestdirect | See Train details |
| Bus | €9Our estimate, not a fare we saw | 1h 45mdirect | See Bus details |
| See bus tickets on Omio | |||
- Train€7Omio catalogue, Nov 91h 08m · directFastestSee Train details
- Bus€9Our estimate, not a fare we saw1h 45m · directSee Bus details
These figures come from different days, and some are our estimates. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
Cologne to Dortmund: Cheapest or Fastest?
Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1Cologne Airport CGN → Dortmund centralbus
FlixBus·1h 45m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
Cheapest Flight Fare by Month, Cologne to Dortmund
| Month | Lowest fare seen | Seen on |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | €70 | |
| December 2026 | €71 | |
| January 2027 | €55 |
The lowest fare Routavio has seen for each departure month, with the day it was seen. Fares change, so check the price when you search.
Departures from Cologne to Dortmund
Deutsche Bahn runs 40 scheduled departures a day, the first at 04:00 and the last at 14:11.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deutsche Bahntrain | 40 | 04:00 | 14:11 |
| FlixBusbus | · | 03:10 | 23:35 |
| BlaBlaCarbus | · | · | · |
| National Expresstrain | · | · | · |
| FlixTraintrain | · | · | · |
All departures Deutsche Bahn
- 04:00
- 04:25
- 05:07
- 05:11
- 05:26
- 05:49
- 06:07
- 06:25
- 06:49
- 07:07
- 07:10
- 07:11
- 07:26
- 07:49
- 08:07
- 08:14
- 08:25
- 08:32
- 08:49
- 09:07
- 09:11
- 09:17
- 09:25
- 09:49
- 10:07
- 10:32
- 10:49
- 11:07
- 11:10
- 11:11
- 11:49
- 12:07
- 12:32
- 12:49
- 13:07
- 13:10
- 13:11
- 13:49
- 14:07
- 14:11
All departures FlixBus
- 03:10
- 04:10
- 04:30
- 05:10
- 05:35
- 06:35
- 06:50
- 07:00
- 07:20
- 07:35
- 07:50
- 08:00
- 08:20
- 08:50
- 09:20
- 14:05
- 14:45
- 15:05
- 15:45
- 16:45
- 17:45
- 18:50
- 19:50
- 20:10
- 21:10
- 21:35
- 22:35
- 23:35
Departure times come from operator timetables and are local time at the origin. Where a row shows no times, we do not hold a published timetable for that operator. Times can change on holidays and at short notice; confirm with the operator before you travel.
Departure and Arrival
Ticket Prices on This Route
What each way of travelling costs, as the operator publishes it. These describe the route rather than a date you pick, and they refresh once a day. Booking opens at our partner Omio.
Omio last refreshed these on Mon, Nov 9.
Operators Seen on These Journeys
On this route you travel with FlixBus, Deutsche Bahn.
How the Trip from Cologne to Dortmund Works
Routavio built this route from its own route data on 7 November 2026. Start with a FlixBus bus from Cologne Airport CGN to Dortmund central, about 1h 45m. In total it's roughly €9 over 1h 45m, direct, no transfers.
Where to Stay
Stays in Dortmund on Booking.comRent a Car
Loading offers...
Things to Do in Dortmund
Loading offers...
Cologne to Dortmund: Common Questions
How long does it take to get from Cologne to Dortmund?
Routavio's route check on 7 November 2026 puts the most useful route at about 1h 45m by bus, with no transfer.
When is the first train from Cologne to Dortmund?
The first train with Deutsche Bahn leaves at 04:00 and the last at 14:11, according to the published timetable.
How many train departures a day are there from Cologne to Dortmund?
Routavio's timetable check shows 40 train departures a day with Deutsche Bahn, between 04:00 and 14:11.
When is the first bus from Cologne to Dortmund?
The first bus with FlixBus leaves at 03:10 and the last at 23:35, from Cologne Airport CGN, according to the published timetable.
Which station does the bus from Cologne to Dortmund leave from?
Cologne Airport CGN with FlixBus, according to the published timetable.
How far is Dortmund from Cologne?
About 73 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Cologne to Dortmund cost?
Our estimate for the route we recommend is around €9. We have not seen it as a fare. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Which operators run Cologne to Dortmund?
According to Routavio's route data, on this route you travel with FlixBus, Deutsche Bahn.
Can you get from Cologne to Dortmund without flying?
Yes. A ground route by bus takes about 10m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Cologne to Dortmund?
Routavio's comparison usually points to a flexible date, or leaving from a nearby airport. A live search puts every option for your dates side by side.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Routavio sends you straight to the operator or an independent third-party provider. We never add a booking fee. The final fare and availability are confirmed by that provider.
Other Ways People Search Cologne to Dortmund
- how to get from Cologne to Dortmund
- Cologne to Dortmund travel time
- Cologne to Dortmund distance
- cheapest way from Cologne to Dortmund
- Cologne to Dortmund by bus
Sources and Method
Routes are calculated by Routavio's multimodal engine from operator timetables and flight data. Durations come from timetables. The price here is our estimate, not a guarantee.
Operators: FlixBus, Deutsche Bahn
Route calculated: 7 Nov 2026