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Leipzig, Saxony to Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia from $22: 11 ways by bus, train, flight or car

Compare Travel Options and Prices

from
Leipzig, Germany
to
Cologne, Germany

How to Get from Leipzig to Cologne: Cheapest, Fastest and Best Way

1Map provides directions to cities, towns, landmarks, attractions, and addresses worldwide, offering thousands of multi-modal routes to easily get you from point A to point B.

$22 RideshareBest price
498 kmDistance
3h 8m Fastest

Compare Train, Bus, Flight, and Driving Options

Get detailed, step-by-step directions below for your trip from Leipzig to Cologne with 1Map travel planner. Easily compare ticket prices, explore various transport options, and find the best routes for a seamless and cost-effective travel experience.

Company
various
Train
Average Duration
4h  48m
Estimated price
$111-133
Recommended
Company
BlaBlaCar
Rideshare
Average Duration
5h  58m
Estimated price
$22-26
Cheapest
route map
Distance: 498 km
Duration: 3h 8m

See more options

Pricing table
Company
FlixBus
Bus
Average Duration
8h  22m
Estimated price
$38-61
Company
Nightjet
Train
Average Duration
10h  20m
Estimated price
$68-1127
Company
Deutsche Bahn Intercity-Express
Train
Average Duration
6h  8m
Estimated price
$91-100
Company
various
Drive
Average Duration
4h  20m
Estimated price
$1112-1113
Company
Eurowings
Plane
Average Duration
4h  34m
Estimated price
$1114-1115
Company
various
Drive
Average Duration
3h  19m
Estimated price
$1116-1117
Company
various
Drive
Average Duration
3h  8m
Estimated price
$1118-259
Company
various
Plane
Average Duration
4h  51m
Estimated price
$1119-1120
Company
various
Drive
Average Duration
3h  53m
Estimated price
$1331-1332

Compare prices for your selected dates

TypeMo 10/03Tu 11/03We 12/03Th 13/03Fr 14/03Sa 15/03Su 16/03
Bus $22 $20 $21 $19 $24 $22 $21
Train $25 $26 $40 $31 $29 $27 $22

Leipzig - Cologne operators

Explore transport companies operating between Leipzig and Cologne, with prices starting at . These companies offer competitive pricing, flexible schedules, and comfortable travel experiences.

Train
Contact phone
+49 0180 6 99 66 33
Website
https://www.bahn.com/en

Train from Leipzig Hbf to Fulda Bahnhof

Average Duration
2h 8m
Estimated price
50-50

Train from Fulda Bahnhof to Frankfurt(Main)Hbf

Average Duration
53m
Estimated price
50-50

Train from Frankfurt(Main)Hbf to Köln Messe/Deutz Bf

Average Duration
1h 5m
Estimated price
41-41

Train from Leipzig Hbf to Köln Messe/Deutz Bf

Average Duration
6h 8m
Estimated price
85-94
Bus
Contact phone
+49 30 300 137 300
Website
https://www.flixbus.co.uk

Bus from Leipzig central train station to Leverkusen

Average Duration
7h 20m
Estimated price
36-58
all-pages.transport_night train
Contact phone
+43 51717
Website
https://www.nightjet.com/en/#/home

all-pages.transport_night train from Halle(Saale)Hbf to Köln Hbf

Average Duration
8h 40m
Estimated price
63-1050
Rideshare
Contact phone
+3 318 576 2228
Website
https://www.blablacar.com

Rideshare from Leipzig to Cologne

Average Duration
5h 58m
Estimated price
21-25
Drive

Drive from Leipzig to Cologne

Average Duration
4h 20m
Estimated price
1051-1052
Plane
Website
https://www.eurowings.com

Plane from Leipzig (LEJ) to Cologne Bonn (CGN)

Average Duration
4h 34m
Estimated price
1053-1054
Website
https://www.lufthansa.com

Plane from Leipzig Airport to Cologne Bonn Airport

Average Duration
4h 32m
Estimated price
250-250

Leipzig to Cologne: Overview of Bus, Train, Flight, and Car Trips

Traveling between Leipzig and Cologne offers a variety of convenient options to suit your preferences, schedule, and budget. Whether you prioritize affordability, speed, or comfort, you’re sure to find the perfect way to travel without compromising on quality or convenience.

Departure Point
Leipzig Hbf station
Arrival Point
Köln Messe/Deutz Bf station
Useful tips for train travellers
On the train service from Leipzig to Cologne, Deutsche Bahn offers onboard catering options, including snacks, drinks, and meals depending on the train type. In First Class, you can enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks, while in Economy Class, you can purchase items from the food trolley that passes through the train.
For your trip, you can choose from various seating options provided by Deutsche Bahn. First Class offers spacious, more luxurious seats with additional legroom and quieter compartments, while Business Class provides a comfortable option with better amenities compared to Economy. Economy Class seats are standard but still offer reasonable comfort for the journey.
The main operators for the route from Leipzig to Cologne are Deutsche Bahn (DB) and FlixTrain. You can check their schedules and book tickets via their websites: Deutsche Bahn and FlixTrain. Additionally, you can use the DB Navigator app for real-time information.

Frequently asked questions

Find out more about the route from Leipzig to Cologne.

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The distance between Leipzig and Cologne is approximately 238 miles by air and 309.7 miles by road. You can reach Cologne from Leipzig by train in about 5 hours and 9 minutes. Alternatively, if you choose to fly from Leipzig to Frankfurt and then take a train to Cologne, the travel time is approximately 3 hours and 41 minutes. If driving, it takes approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes to reach Leipzig from Cologne by car, while taking a bus would take around 8 hours and 12 minutes.
The most cost-effective option for traveling from Leipzig to Cologne is to rideshare, which costs €22-€24 and takes 5h 58m. This option allows for shared transportation with other passengers heading in the same direction, helping to reduce costs. However, if time is a priority, the quickest option is to fly and then take a train, which costs €136-€326 and takes 3h 41m. This option allows for faster travel time, but at a higher cost. Ultimately, the choice between cost-effectiveness and time-efficiency depends on the individual's preferences and budget.
The prices for a train ticket from Leipzig to Cologne can range from €88 to €156, depending on the type of train and class of travel. On the other hand, the prices for a bus ticket from Cologne to Leipzig can vary from €36 to €54. It is important to note that prices may fluctuate based on factors such as availability, time of travel, and booking in advance.
If you prefer not to use public transportation to travel from Leipzig to Cologne, you can consider using Blablacar's carpooling service. This is a convenient option if you don't have a driver's license or if you want to avoid public transport. The distance between Leipzig and Cologne by car is around 310 miles, and it takes approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes to drive between the two cities. Costs for carpooling services between Leipzig and Cologne vary, ranging from €72 to €109.
To travel from Leipzig to Cologne without a car, the best option is to take a train via Fulda. This journey takes approximately 5 hours and 9 minutes and ticket prices range from €86 to €163. Another option is to take a bus, which takes around 8 hours and 12 minutes and costs between €36 and €54. Alternatively, you can fly, with a flight duration of 5 hours and 32 minutes and ticket prices ranging from €68 to €308.
Yes, there is a direct train link between Leipzig and Cologne. The train service operated by Deutsche Bahn Intercity-Express departs from Leipzig Hbf and arrives at Köln Hbf. The journey takes approximately 6 hours and operates every day. Unfortunately, there is no direct bus service between the two cities, but there are bus services operated by FlixBus that depart from Leipzig central train station and arrive at Leverkusen station, with a total journey time of approximately 8 hours and 12 minutes.
The flight between Leipzig and Cologne typically takes around 3 hours and 55 minutes with one stopover. The prices for flights between Cologne and Leipzig can vary between €72 and €302. It is important to check with different airlines and booking platforms to find the best deals and options for your specific travel dates.
There are over 1145 hotels available in Cologne offering a range of options for different budgets and preferences. Prices for hotels in Cologne start at €41 per night. With such a wide variety of accommodations available, visitors to Cologne can easily find a suitable place to stay that fits their needs and budget.