How to get from Stuttgart to Cologne
On Routavio you can compare the ways from Stuttgart to Cologne by price and travel time (route calculated on 26 October 2026).
- 288 km as the crow flies
- Fastest: train + bus, 3h 42m
- 40 bus departures a day with FlixBus
- First bus at 01:35, last at 23:35
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
At a glance
Fastest
3h 42m
1 transfer
Train + Bus
€26
Cheapest
5h 25m
direct
Bus
€22
Calculated by Routavio, refreshed 26 Oct 2026
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Stuttgart to Cologne. The most useful door-to-door route takes 5h 25m by bus with no transfer. The two cities are about 288 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
The lowest we recorded in the last 14 days was €20, on Sat, Oct 17.
288 km
Which way suits you?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | €16Omio catalogue, Oct 28 | 4h 04m1 transfer | See Train details |
| Bus | €18Omio catalogue, Oct 28 | 5h 25mdirect | See Bus details |
- Train€16Omio catalogue, Oct 284h 04m · 1 transferSee Train details
- Bus€18Omio catalogue, Oct 285h 25m · directSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
Stuttgart 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.
- 1Stuttgart → Colognebus
FlixBus·5h 25m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
Which 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.
Departures from Stuttgart to Cologne
FlixBus runs 40 scheduled departures a day, the first at 01:35 and the last at 23:35.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBusbus | 40 | 01:35 | 23:35 |
All departures
- 01:35
- 05:20
- 05:50
- 06:20
- 07:40
- 08:20
- 08:40
- 09:00
- 10:00
- 10:45
- 11:45
- 12:00
- 13:30
- 13:45
- 14:30
- 16:30
- 20:30
- 20:45
- 20:50
- 21:30
- 21:50
- 22:35
- 23:30
- 23:35
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 Wed, Oct 28
Operators seen on these journeys
FlixBusStuttgart-Cologne, Frankfurt-CologneBook →
Deutsche BahnStuttgart-Frankfurt, Frankfurt-CologneBook →On this route you travel with FlixBus, Deutsche Bahn; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Stuttgart to Cologne works
Routavio built this route from its own route data on 26 October 2026. Start with a FlixBus bus from Stuttgart to Cologne, about 5h 25m. In total it's roughly €22 over 5h 25m, 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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Stuttgart to Cologne: common questions
How long does it take to get from Stuttgart to Cologne?
Routavio's route check on 26 October 2026 puts the most useful route at about 5h 25m by bus, with no transfer.
When is the first bus from Stuttgart to Cologne?
The first bus with FlixBus leaves at 01:35 and the last at 23:35, from Stuttgart Airport Busterminal, according to the published timetable.
How many bus departures a day are there from Stuttgart to Cologne?
Routavio's timetable check shows 40 bus departures a day with FlixBus, between 01:35 and 23:35.
Which station does the bus from Stuttgart to Cologne leave from?
Stuttgart Airport Busterminal with FlixBus, according to the published timetable.
How far is Cologne from Stuttgart?
About 288 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Stuttgart to Cologne cost?
Routavio's price check puts the route we recommend at €22. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Which operators run Stuttgart to Cologne?
According to Routavio's route data, on this route you travel with FlixBus, Deutsche Bahn.
Can you get from Stuttgart to Cologne without flying?
Yes. A ground route by train takes about 2h 03m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart to Cologne
- how to get from Stuttgart to Cologne
- Stuttgart to Cologne travel time
- Stuttgart to Cologne distance
- cheapest way from Stuttgart to Cologne
- Stuttgart 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, Deutsche Bahn
Route calculated: 26 Oct 2026