How to get from Erfurt to Cologne
- 280 km as the crow flies
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
At a glance
Fastest
7h 03m
1 transfer
Bus
€30
Calculated by Routavio, refreshed 25 Sept 2026
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Erfurt to Cologne. The most useful door-to-door route takes 7h 03m by bus, 1 transfer. The two cities are about 280 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
280 km
Erfurt 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.
- 1Erfurt central → Leverkusenbus
FlixBus·5h 15m - 2Leverkusen → Cologne/Bonn AirportbusLocal bus·45m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
The observed fares belong to earlier dates.
Search my dateDeparture 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.
- Bus· 7h 05m€18Book
Omio last refreshed these on Mon, Sep 21
Operators seen on these journeys
On this route you travel with FlixBus, Local bus; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Erfurt to Cologne works
Start with a FlixBus bus from Erfurt central to Leverkusen, about 5h 15m. Transfer in Leverkusen and continue by Local bus bus on to Cologne (45 min). In total it's roughly €30 over 7h 3m, 1 transfer.
Erfurt to Cologne: common questions
How long does it take to get from Erfurt to Cologne?
The most useful route takes about 7h 03m by bus, 1 transfer.
Is there a bus from Erfurt to Cologne?
Our route search found a bus option, but we hold no verified timetable for this route yet. Check the operator's own timetable for departure times.
How far is Cologne from Erfurt?
About 280 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Erfurt to Cologne cost?
Our latest search put the route we recommend at €30. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Which operators run Erfurt to Cologne?
On this route you travel with FlixBus, Local bus.
Can you get from Erfurt to Cologne without flying?
Yes. A ground route by bus takes about 7h 03m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Erfurt 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 Erfurt to Cologne
- how to get from Erfurt to Cologne
- Erfurt to Cologne travel time
- Erfurt to Cologne distance
- cheapest way from Erfurt to Cologne
- Erfurt 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, Local bus
Route calculated: 25 Sep 2026