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How to get fromCologne to Schmalkaldenby train, bus, night train, or car

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There are 6 ways to get from Cologne to Schmalkalden by train, bus, night train, or car

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

  1. Train, bus

    best
    1. Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Frankfurttrain train 41 / ...
    2. Take the train from Frankfurt to Gothatrain train 50
    3. Take the bus from Gotha, Hauptbahnhof to Schmalkalden, Recklinghäuser Straßebus bus 851
    6h 17m

  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Leverkusen to Eisenach central bus stationbus bus 020
    9h 25m
    €27–40

  3. Night train, train

    1. Take the nighttrain from Koeln Hbf to Wuerzburg Hbfnighttrain night train Nj
    2. Take the train from Würzburg Hbf to Schweinfurt Hbftrain train Re7
    3. Take the train from Schweinfurt Hbf to Meiningentrain train Rb
    8h 41m
    €284–383

  4. Drive  314 km

    1. Drive from Cologne to Schmalkaldencar car 314 km
    3h 10m
    €57–82

  5. Train via Schweinfurt

    1. Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Würzburg Hbftrain train 41
    2. Take the train from Würzburg Hbf to Schweinfurt Hbftrain train Re7
    3. Take the train from Schweinfurt Hbf to Meiningentrain train Rb
    6h 55m
    €305–376

  6. Train

    1. Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Würzburg Hbftrain train 41
    2. Take the train from Würzburg Hbf to Grimmenthaltrain train Re7
    7h 22m
    €89–133

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Cologne to Schmalkalden.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 456.7 km
  • Duration: 6h 17m

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

FlixBus operates a bus from Leverkusen to Eisenach central bus station 5 times a week. Tickets cost €27–40 and the journey takes 4h 25m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Schmalkalden, Kasseler Straße/Schule via Würzburg Hbf, Schweinfurt Hbf, Meiningen, and Meiningen, Busbahnhof in around 6h 55m.

Train operators
Bus operators

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