How to get from Dortmund to Cologne
- 73 km as the crow flies
- Fastest: train, 1h 15m
- 40 train departures a day with Deutsche Bahn
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
At a glance
Fastest
1h 15m
direct
Train
€10
Cheapest
1h 45m
direct
Bus
€9
Calculated by Routavio, refreshed 25 Sept 2026
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Dortmund to Cologne. 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 price and operators below come from a real route search.
73 km
Which way suits you?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | €7Omio catalogue, Sep 25 | 1h 15mdirect | See Train details |
| Bus | €4Omio catalogue, Sep 25 | 1h 45mdirect | See Bus details |
- Train€7Omio catalogue, Sep 251h 15m · directSee Train details
- Bus€4Omio catalogue, Sep 251h 45m · directSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
Dortmund to Cologne: cheapest or fastest?
All from the same recent search. Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1Dortmund central → Cologne Airport CGNbus
FlixBus·1h 45m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
The observed fares belong to earlier dates.
Search my dateWhich date should you go?
The amounts on each day are fares seen earlier, not live offers. A day with no figure is one we have not priced, not one without a service.
Flight prices by day, Dortmund to Cologne
The lowest fare we saw for each day over the next three months. Tap a day to search it live.
October 2026
€80Departures from Dortmund to Cologne
Deutsche Bahn runs 40 scheduled departures a day, the first at 04:00 and the last at 13:59.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deutsche Bahntrain | 40 | 04:00 | 13:59 |
| FlixBusbus | 33 | 01:55 | 20:40 |
| National Expresstrain | 12 | — | — |
Departure times come from operator timetables and are local time at the origin. Where a row shows no times, the frequency is the operator's own and the timetable is not published to us. 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 Fri, Sep 25
Operators seen on these journeys
On this route you travel with FlixBus, Deutsche Bahn; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Dortmund to Cologne works
Start with a FlixBus bus from Dortmund central to Cologne Airport CGN, about 1h 45m. In total it's roughly €9 over 1h 45m, direct, no transfers.
Dortmund to Cologne: common questions
How long does it take to get from Dortmund to Cologne?
The most useful route takes about 1h 45m by bus, with no transfer.
When is the first train from Dortmund to Cologne?
The first train with Deutsche Bahn leaves at 04:00 and the last at 13:59, according to the published timetable.
How many train departures a day are there from Dortmund to Cologne?
40 a day with Deutsche Bahn, between 04:00 and 13:59.
When is the first bus from Dortmund to Cologne?
The first bus with FlixBus leaves at 01:55 and the last at 20:40, from Dortmund central, according to the published timetable.
How many bus departures a day are there from Dortmund to Cologne?
33 a day with FlixBus, between 01:55 and 20:40.
Which station does the bus from Dortmund to Cologne leave from?
Dortmund central with FlixBus, according to the published timetable.
How far is Cologne from Dortmund?
About 73 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Dortmund to Cologne cost?
Our latest search put the route we recommend at €9. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Which operators run Dortmund to Cologne?
On this route you travel with FlixBus, Deutsche Bahn.
Can you get from Dortmund to Cologne without flying?
Yes. A ground route by bus takes about 40m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Dortmund to Cologne?
Usually 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 Dortmund to Cologne
- how to get from Dortmund to Cologne
- Dortmund to Cologne travel time
- Dortmund to Cologne distance
- cheapest way from Dortmund to Cologne
- Dortmund to Cologne by bus
Sources and method
Routes are calculated by Routavio's multimodal engine from operator timetables and flight data. Durations come from timetables, and prices are the most recent observation, not a guarantee.
Operators: FlixBus
Route calculated: 25 Sep 2026