How to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam

Wed, Apr 01
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Deutsche Bahn
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VIAS Rail GmbH
Union Ivkoni International
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1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare bus, train, and flight for Cologne to Amsterdam

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Amsterdam among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $12. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 52m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $12, and a train costs an average of $37.

Distance: 132 miles (214 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus

$75

Average price

$29

Average price

Cheapest

4h 22m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 52m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

6h 11m

Average total duration

5h 41m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.2 - 0.5kg

CO2 emissions

Deutsche Bahn

Most popular train company

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Travel options
from Cologne to Amsterdam

How to get from Cologne to Amsterdam by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

bus

The best way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    3:40 PM4h35
    Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)
    8:15 PMAmsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk)
    $381One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • Union Ivkoni
    2:30 PM8h45
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    11:15 PMAmsterdam, De Ruijterkade
    $321One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • Deutsche BahnICE 220
    8:49 AM2h40
    Cologne Hbf
    11:29 AMAmsterdam Centraal
    $1081One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • Deutsche Bahn10608 · 20070 · IC 3540
    9:25 AM3h39
    Cologne Hbf
    1:04 PMAmsterdam Zuid
    $801One-way
    2 transfers
  • Deutsche Bahn10612 · 20074 · IC 3548
    11:25 AM3h39
    Cologne Hbf
    3:04 PMAmsterdam Zuid
    $801One-way
    2 transfers
  • Deutsche BahnICE 128
    10:49 AM2h40
    Cologne Hbf
    1:29 PMAmsterdam Centraal
    $1381One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    4:55 PM4h35
    Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)
    9:30 PMAmsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk)
    $431One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    8:25 AM4h05
    Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)
    12:30 PMAmsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk)
    $631One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixTrainFlixTrain+FlixBusFlixBus
    4:14 PM5h16
    Cologne Hbf
    9:30 PMAmsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk)
    $401One-way
    1 transfer
  • EurowingsOS8914+Air BalticOS313
    6:30 AM5h05
    Cologne Bonn Airport
    11:35 AMAmsterdam Airport Schiphol
    $6801One-way
    1 transfer
  • EurowingsOS8916+Air BalticOS317
    1:35 PM5h40
    Cologne Bonn Airport
    7:15 PMAmsterdam Airport Schiphol
    $6801One-way
    1 transfer
  • EurowingsOS8918+Air BalticOS319
    6:00 PM4h15
    Cologne Bonn Airport
    10:15 PMAmsterdam Airport Schiphol
    $9271One-way
    1 transfer

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights

Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

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How to Travel from Cologne to Amsterdam

The distance between Cologne and Amsterdam is 263 kilometers. Numerous transport options will ensure a safe and quick trip between the two cities. Public transportation options include train, city bus, and air travel. Bus travel is an affordable and fast option. High-speed trains will arrive at your destination in under 3 hours, and are also affordable.

Trains from Cologne to Amsterdam | Buses from Cologne to Amsterdam | Flights from Cologne to Amsterdam

Cologne to Amsterdam Travel Comparison

Average Price

Travel Time

Cheapest Time to Book

buses

€23

3:55 h

1 Day Ahead

trains

€29

2:50 h

2 Months Ahead

flight

€262

0:50 h

2 Months Ahead



What is the best way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam?

Cheapest way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam


cheap

Taking the bus is the cheapest way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam. Buses traveling from Cologne to Amsterdam depart from either Köln ZOB (central bus station) or Köln Flughafen (airport) and take at least 4 hours to arrive at Amsterdam's Sloterdijk bus station. Over 10 buses travel from Berlin to Amsterdam per day, with the first bus departing Cologne at 2:50 a.m. Bus companies that travel from Cologne to Amsterdam include Flixbus, RegioJet, and Eurolines.


Fastest way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam


fast

Taking a flight is technically the fastest way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam; however, when travel time to and from Cologne and Amsterdam's airporst is taken into consideration, taking a high-speed train is actually the fastest way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam. Flights depart from either Cologne/Bonn airport or Düsseldorf airport and arrive at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport after approximately 50 minutes of flight time. Usually 5 direct flights travel from Cologne to Amsterdam per day, with the first flight departing Cologne at 11:30 a.m. KLM is the main airline that offers direct flights from Cologne to Amsterdam.


Most popular way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam


popular

Taking a train is the most popular way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam. Taking a train is at least an hour faster than traveling from Cologne to Amsterdam by bus and approximately 1½ hours faster than taking a flight when travel time to and from Cologne and Amsterdam's airports is taken into consideration. Rrains traveling from Cologne to Amsterdam depart from Köln Haupbahnhof and take at least 2:50 h tro arrive at Amsterdam's Centraal train station. Approximately 8 direct Deutsche Bahn trains travel from Cologne to Amsterdam per day, with the first train departing Cologne at approximately 6:30 a.m.


How to get from Cologne to Amsterdam

The Best Way According to our Users

Whether it is for business or leisure, in order to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam, 89,33% of our customers choose the train as their preferred mode of transportation. By traveling by train on this route, you can enjoy the comfort of spacious seats, spectacular views—and in some cases free Wi-Fi—in both second and first class. Our customers have decided that the train is the best way to get from Cologne to Amsterdam and have chosen to enjoy this fast, safe and efficient way to arrive at their destination. Taking the train also avoids long lines or potential expenses for transfers to/from the station—especially since most main railway stations are located in the city center. Train companies in Europe vary from country to country, but most of them offer high-speed train routes, therefore when you add up at the end-to-end journey time, the train is often also the fastest way to get to your destination.

Search on Omio to find cheap tickets from Cologne to Amsterdam. It’s easy to find the most attractive prices and choose your preferred route for your journey. Book on web or app, and travel with your mobile ticket —without the stress of printing your ticket.

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FAQs: Travel from Cologne to Amsterdam

Travel to Amsterdam easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Cologne to Amsterdam.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Cologne and Amsterdam including taking a bus, train, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam is a bus with an average price of $12 (€10).

This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Amsterdam:

A bus is $25 (€20) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Amsterdam costing on average $37 (€30).

A bus is $141 (€115) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Amsterdam costing on average $154 (€125).

The fastest way to travel from Cologne to Amsterdam is by train with an average journey time of 2h 39m.

Other travel options to Amsterdam take longer:

Bus takes on average 4h 0m.

Flight takes on average 3h 30m.

The distance from Cologne to Amsterdam is approximately 132 miles (214 km).
The average frequency per day from Cologne to Amsterdam is:
  • Around 15 buses per day.
  • Around 8 trains per day.
  • Around 6 flights per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cologne and Amsterdam as scheduled services by bus, train, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Cologne to Amsterdam:
  • Flights mostly depart from Cologne Bonn Airport and arrive in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
  • Trains mostly depart from Cologne Hbf and arrive in Amsterdam Centraal.
  • Buses mostly depart from Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) and arrive in Amsterdam, Piarcoplein (Amsterdam Sloterdijk).
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Cologne to Amsterdam, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with FlixBus, Union Ivkoni International, BlaBlaCar Bus, Wupsi to go to Amsterdam by bus.
  • Travel with Deutsche Bahn, VIAS Rail GmbH, ÖBB | Nightjet to go to Amsterdam by train.
Yes, there are direct services available from Cologne to Amsterdam with the following travel companies:
  • 12 direct buses per day with FlixBus, Union Ivkoni International.
  • 2 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | Nightjet.
Omio customers who travel from Cologne to Amsterdam often also extend their vacation to go to Paris, Brussels, Berlin, London, Copenhagen. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Amsterdam and these popular destinations at a great price.
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