What is the cheapest way to get from Cologne to Hamburg?

The cheapest way to get from Cologne to Hamburg is to rideshare which costs €15 - €27 and takes 4h 26m.

What is the fastest way to get from Cologne to Hamburg?

The fastest way to get from Cologne to Hamburg is to train and fly which takes 3h 6m and costs €90 - €260.

Is there a direct bus between Cologne and Hamburg?

No, there is no direct bus from Cologne to Hamburg. However, there are services departing from Köln-Ehrenfeld Gleis and arriving at Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof via Münster bus stop. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 31m.

Is there a direct train between Cologne and Hamburg?

Yes, there is a direct train departing from Köln Hbf and arriving at Hamburg Hbf. Services depart hourly, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 4h 4m.

How far is it from Cologne to Hamburg?

The distance between Cologne and Hamburg is 436 km. The road distance is 418.8 km.

How do I travel from Cologne to Hamburg without a car?

The best way to get from Cologne to Hamburg without a car is to train which takes 4h 4m and costs €30 - €350.

How long does it take to get from Cologne to Hamburg?

The train from Köln Hbf to Hamburg Hbf takes 4h 4m including transfers and departs hourly.

Where do I catch the Cologne to Hamburg bus from?

Cologne to Hamburg bus services, operated by OrionBus, depart from Köln-Ehrenfeld Gleis station.

Where do I catch the Cologne to Hamburg train from?

Cologne to Hamburg train services, operated by Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), depart from Köln Hbf station.

Train, bus or fly from Cologne to Hamburg?

The best way to get from Cologne to Hamburg is to train which takes 4h 4m and costs €30 - €350. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs and takes 6h 31m, you could also fly, which costs €110 - €320 and takes 5h 13m.

Where does the Cologne to Hamburg bus arrive?

Cologne to Hamburg bus services, operated by OrionBus, arrive at Münster-Mitte station.

Where does the Cologne to Hamburg train arrive?

Cologne to Hamburg train services, operated by Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), arrive at Hamburg Hbf station.

Can I drive from Cologne to Hamburg?

Yes, the driving distance between Cologne to Hamburg is 419 km. It takes approximately 3h 38m to drive from Cologne to Hamburg.

How do I get a train ticket from Cologne to Hamburg?

Book your Cologne to Hamburg train tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.

How do I get a bus ticket from Cologne to Hamburg?

Book your Cologne to Hamburg bus tickets online with Omio.

Where can I stay near Hamburg?

There are 1636+ hotels available in Hamburg.

Can I share a ride from Cologne to Hamburg?

Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between Cologne and Hamburg. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.

Cologne to Hamburg - 8 ways to travel via train, bus, car, plane, and rideshare

How to get fromCologne to Hamburg

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There are 8 ways to get from Cologne to Hamburg by train, bus, car, plane, or rideshare

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

Train
best
1. Take the train from Köln Hbf to Hamburg Hbftrain 42 / ...
4h 4m
€30–350
Rideshare
cheapest
1. Take the rideshare from Cologne to Hamburgrideshare 417.2 km
4h 26m
€15–27
Bus
1. Take the bus from Köln-Ehrenfeld Gleis to Münster-Mittebus Mykolayiv
2. Take the bus from Münster bus stop to Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhofbus N1360a / ...
6h 31m
Drive 418.8 km
1. Drive from Cologne to Hamburgcar 418.8 km
3h 38m
€60–86
Train to Düsseldorf International Airport, fly
1. Take the train from Köln Hbf to D-Flughafen Bftrain
2. Fly from Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) to Hamburg Airport (HAM)plane DUS - HAM
3h 6m
€94–255
Train, bus
1. Take the train from Köln Hansaring to Essen Hbftrain S6
2. Take the bus from Essen Hbf to Hamburgbus Ivano-Frankivsk
6h 52m
€54–94
Fly from Cologne Bonn Airport
1. Fly from Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Hamburg Airport (HAM)plane CGN - HAM
5h 13m
€116–316
Train to Frankfurt, fly
1. Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Frankfurttrain
2. Fly from Frankfurt (FRA) to Hamburg Airport (HAM)plane FRA - HAM
3h 33m
€108–325

Cologne to Hamburg by train

160Weekly Trains

4h 4mAverage Duration

€30Cheapest Price

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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Cologne to Hamburg.

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Distance: 436.1 km
Duration: 4h 4m

What companies run services between Cologne, Germany and Hamburg, Germany?

Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) operates a train from Köln Hbf to Hamburg Hbf hourly. Tickets cost €75–350 and the journey takes 4h 4m. Two other operators also service this route. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Köln-Ehrenfeld Gleis to Hamburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof via Münster-Mitte and Münster bus stop in around 6h 31m.

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