How to Get from Dortmund to Cologne
Dortmund to Cologne is 73 km in a straight line, and the fastest option takes 1h 07m by train. The trip takes 2h 15m by bus.
On Routavio you can compare the ways from Dortmund to Cologne by price and travel time (route calculated on 9 November 2026).
- 40 train departures a day with Deutsche Bahn
- First train at 03:45, last at 12:32
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 Dortmund to Cologne. The most useful door-to-door route takes 1h 24m by train 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 | €6Omio catalogue, Nov 10 | 1h 07mFastestdirect | See Train details |
| See train tickets on Omio | |||
| Bus | €11Our estimate, not a fare we saw | 2h 15mdirect | See Bus details |
- Train€6Omio catalogue, Nov 101h 07m · directFastestSee Train details
- Bus€11Our estimate, not a fare we saw2h 15m · 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.
Dortmund to Cologne: Cheapest or Fastest?
Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1Dortmund → Colognetrain
Deutsche Bahn·1h 24m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
Which Date Should You Go?
An amount is a fare we saw earlier; with "around" in front it is our estimate. Neither is a live offer. A day with no figure is one we have not priced, not one without a service.
- Wed, Nov 11around €10
- Thu, Nov 12around €10
- Fri, Nov 13around €10
- Sat, Nov 14around €10
- Sun, Nov 15around €10
- Mon, Nov 16around €10
- Wed, Nov 18around €10
- Thu, Nov 19around €10
- Fri, Nov 20around €10
- Sat, Nov 21around €10
- Sun, Nov 22around €10
- Fri, Dec 4around €10
- Sat, Dec 5around €10
- Sun, Dec 6around €10
- Mon, Dec 7around €10
- Tue, Dec 8around €10
- Sun, Jan 3around €10
- Mon, Jan 4around €10
- Tue, Jan 5around €10
- Wed, Jan 6around €10
- Thu, Jan 7around €10
Cheapest Flight Fare by Month, Dortmund to Cologne
| Month | Lowest fare seen | Seen on |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | €75 | |
| December 2026 | €69 | |
| January 2027 | €64 |
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 Dortmund to Cologne
Deutsche Bahn runs 40 scheduled departures a day, the first at 03:45 and the last at 12:32.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deutsche Bahntrain | 40 | 03:45 | 12:32 |
| FlixBusbus | · | 02:50 | 20:40 |
| National Expresstrain | · | · | · |
All departures Deutsche Bahn
- 03:45
- 04:02
- 04:35
- 04:45
- 05:07
- 05:15
- 05:22
- 05:34
- 05:36
- 05:45
- 06:07
- 06:10
- 06:23
- 06:36
- 06:45
- 07:07
- 07:15
- 07:22
- 07:36
- 07:45
- 08:07
- 08:10
- 08:35
- 08:36
- 08:40
- 08:45
- 09:07
- 09:36
- 09:45
- 10:07
- 10:35
- 10:36
- 10:45
- 11:07
- 11:15
- 11:36
- 11:45
- 12:07
- 12:11
- 12:32
All departures FlixBus
- 02:50
- 02:55
- 03:15
- 03:50
- 03:55
- 04:05
- 04:15
- 05:05
- 07:15
- 07:45
- 08:15
- 08:45
- 08:55
- 09:45
- 09:55
- 11:35
- 15:00
- 15:55
- 16:00
- 16:40
- 16:55
- 17:35
- 17:40
- 18:35
- 18:40
- 19:40
- 20:40
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 Tue, Nov 10.
Operators Seen on These Journeys
On this route you travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixBus.
How the Trip from Dortmund to Cologne Works
Routavio built this route from its own route data on 9 November 2026. Start with a Deutsche Bahn train from Dortmund to Cologne, about 1h 24m. In total it's roughly €10 over 1h 24m, direct, no transfers.
Where to Stay
Stays in Cologne on Booking.comRent a Car
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Things to Do in Cologne
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Dortmund to Cologne: Common Questions
How long does it take to get from Dortmund to Cologne?
Routavio's route check on 9 November 2026 puts the most useful route at about 1h 24m by train, with no transfer.
When is the first train from Dortmund to Cologne?
The first train with Deutsche Bahn leaves at 03:45 and the last at 12:32, according to the published timetable.
How many train departures a day are there from Dortmund to Cologne?
Routavio's timetable check shows 40 train departures a day with Deutsche Bahn, between 03:45 and 12:32.
When is the first bus from Dortmund to Cologne?
The first bus with FlixBus leaves at 02:50 and the last at 20:40, from Dortmund central, according to the published timetable.
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 estimate for the route we recommend is around €10. 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 Dortmund to Cologne?
According to Routavio's route data, on this route you travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixBus.
Can you get from Dortmund to Cologne without flying?
Yes. A ground route by bus takes about 30m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Dortmund to Cologne?
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 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. The price here is our estimate, not a guarantee.
Operators: Deutsche Bahn, FlixBus
Route calculated: 9 Nov 2026