How to travel from Cologne to Rotterdam

Thu, Apr 02
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Travel by train, bus with
Deutsche Bahn
FlixBus
VIAS Rail GmbH
Union Ivkoni International
Eurostar
1,000+ more
Deutsche Bahn
FlixBus
VIAS Rail GmbH
Union Ivkoni International
Eurostar
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Cologne to Rotterdam

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Rotterdam 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 16m. 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 $38.

Distance: 126 miles (204 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus

$76

Average price

$24

Average price

Cheapest

3h 46m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 16m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 37m

Average total duration

5h 7m

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 Rotterdam

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

Our recommendation

bus

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

  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    9:25 AM5h40
    Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)
    3:05 PMRotterdam, Conradstraat (Centraal Station)
    $391One-way
    1 transfer

Cheapest

  • Union Ivkoni
    2:30 PM7h00
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    9:30 PMRotterdam, Centraal Station
    $321One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • Deutsche BahnICE 220 · IC 2832
    8:49 AM2h51
    Cologne Hbf
    11:40 AMRotterdam Centraal
    $1061One-way
    1 transfer

Other options

  • Deutsche Bahn10608 · 20070 · IC 3540 · IC 1138
    9:25 AM3h19
    Cologne Hbf
    12:44 PMRotterdam Centraal
    $831One-way
    3 transfers
  • Deutsche Bahn10612 · 20074 · IC 3548 · IC 1146
    11:25 AM3h19
    Cologne Hbf
    2:44 PMRotterdam Centraal
    $831One-way
    3 transfers
  • Deutsche BahnICE 128 · IC 2840
    10:49 AM2h51
    Cologne Hbf
    1:40 PMRotterdam Centraal
    $1131One-way
    1 transfer
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    12:45 PM6h05
    Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)
    6:50 PMRotterdam, Conradstraat (Centraal Station)
    $351One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixTrainFlixTrain+FlixBusFlixBus
    9:01 AM6h04
    Cologne Hbf
    3:05 PMRotterdam, Conradstraat (Centraal Station)
    $391One-way
    1 transfer
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    3:00 PM5h10
    Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)
    8:10 PMRotterdam, Conradstraat (Centraal Station)
    $351One-way
    0 transfers

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 train and bus 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 get from Cologne to Rotterdam

The Best Way According to our Users

Whether it is for business or leisure, in order to travel from Cologne to Rotterdam, 79,71% 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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam. 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.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

FAQs: Travel from Cologne to Rotterdam

Travel to Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Cologne and Rotterdam including taking a train and bus.
The cheapest way to travel from Cologne to Rotterdam is a bus with an average price of $12 (€10).

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

A bus is $26 (€21) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Rotterdam costing on average $38 (€31).

The fastest way to travel from Cologne to Rotterdam is by train with an average journey time of 2h 51m.

Other travel options to Rotterdam take longer:

Bus takes on average 4h 10m.

The distance from Cologne to Rotterdam is approximately 126 miles (204 km).
The average frequency per day from Cologne to Rotterdam is:
  • Around 9 buses per day.
  • Around 8 trains per day.

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

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

Travelling from Cologne to Rotterdam: related information

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

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