Exploring Germany: Rothenburg To Cologne Distance Revealed

There are multiple places called Rothenburg in Germany, and the distance from Cologne depends on which one you're travelling to.

Cologne to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The distance between Cologne and Rothenburg ob der Tauber is 368 km (228.6 miles) and the road distance is 363.4 km (225.8 miles). The cheapest way to travel between the two places is by car, which takes around 3 hours and 5 minutes.

Cologne to Rothenburg, Lower Saxony

The distance between Cologne and Rothenburg, Lower Saxony is 225 miles and the road distance is 220.7 miles. The fastest way to travel between the two places is by car, which takes around 3 hours and 9 minutes.

Cologne to Rothenburg, Saxony

The distance between Cologne and Rothenburg, Saxony is 470 miles and the road distance is 423.4 miles. The fastest way to travel between the two places is by car, which takes around 6 hours and 2 minutes.

Travel by train

There are multiple ways to travel from Rothenburg, Germany to Cologne, Germany by train. The fastest route takes around 3 hours and 56 minutes, but other routes can take up to 9 hours and 18 minutes. The distance between the two cities is approximately 288 kilometres (179 miles).

Train Operators

Deutsche Bahn, ICE (Intercity Express), IC (Intercity) and EC (Eurocity) trains all operate on this route. ICE trains are high-speed trains with a maximum speed of 205 miles per hour, connecting major German cities and offering international travel to neighbouring countries. Intercity trains are express trains that are a little slower than the ICE and are used for long-distance trips within Germany. EuroCity trains offer convenient cross-border connections between major cities in Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.

Tickets

Ticket prices vary depending on the operator and the time of booking. Generally, booking in advance will result in cheaper tickets. The cheapest tickets start at $24 (€29.50) for a single journey.

Changes

There is no direct train from Rothenburg to Cologne, and all routes require at least two changes. The number of changes can range from two to five, depending on the route.

Departure and Arrival Stations

The departure and arrival stations will depend on the specific route chosen. Some of the common stations used along the different routes include:

• Köln Hbf
• Köln Messe/Deutz Bf
• Würzburg Hbf
• Steinach
• Hannover Hauptbahnhof
• Braunschweig, Hauptbahnhof
• Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf
• Nuernberg Hbf

Travel by car

The distance between Rothenburg and Cologne is approximately 350 km, and the drive usually takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes via the fastest route. Here is a detailed guide on how to make the journey by car:

The route from Rothenburg to Cologne is a fairly straightforward one, and the majority of the journey will be spent on the A3 and A6 highways. To begin your journey, make your way out of Rothenburg, heading west towards the A6. This initial part of the trip will take you through the charming Bavarian countryside, with rolling hills and picturesque villages. Once you have joined the A6, you will head southwest towards Heilbronn. This section of the journey offers a glimpse of rural Germany, with vast fields and gentle hills.

After approximately 90 kilometers, you will reach the city of Heilbronn, which you will bypass, staying on the A6. From here, the landscape will become more urban as you leave the countryside and enter the busier regions of southern Germany. Soon after Heilbronn, you will need to take the A81 toward Stuttgart. This portion of the trip will offer views of the Swabian Jura, a low mountain range known for its dense forests and rocky peaks.

As you approach Stuttgart, you will join the A831 for a very short stretch before merging onto the A83, which will take you into the heart of the city. Navigating through Stuttgart can be tricky due to heavy traffic, so it is important to stay alert and follow the signs carefully. Once you have successfully traversed Stuttgart, you will join the A861, which connects to the A3. This will be the highway that takes you all the way to Cologne.

The A3 highway will lead you out of the busy southern regions and into the more serene landscapes of western Germany. As you leave Stuttgart behind, the scenery will once again become more rural, with charming towns and lush forests. The A3 will take you past cities like Frankfurt and Wiesbaden, although you will not need to enter these cities as your route bypasses them. The final stretch of your journey will bring you into the Rhine-Ruhr region, which is the most populous area in Germany. Here, you will find yourself in heavier traffic as you near Cologne. Stay on the A3 until you reach the Cologne Ring, which circles the city, and from there, you can make your way to your specific destination within the city.

Travel by bus

The distance between Cologne and Rothenburg is around 288 km (approximately 179 miles). The road distance is slightly longer, at 363.4 km.

There is no direct bus from Cologne to Rothenburg, but there are services that include transfers. The journey takes around 13 hours and 20 minutes, including transfers. The bus from Cologne departs from Leverkusen station and arrives at Görlitz station. Tickets cost $60–85.

The cheapest way to get from Cologne to Rothenburg is by bus, but the best way to travel between the two places in terms of speed is by car.

Travel by plane

To travel by plane between Rothenburg and Cologne, you will need to take a train to the airport and then another train after you arrive at your destination.

From Rothenburg to Cologne

You can take a train from Rothenburg Krankenhaus to Horka, and then from Horka to Cottbus Hbf. From Cottbus, Hauptbahnhof, take another train to S Spandau Bhf, and then a final train to Köln Hbf. Once you arrive at the station, you can take a train to Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN).

Alternatively, you can fly from Dresden (DRS) to Cologne Bonn (CGN). To do this, take the train from Rothenburg Bahnhof to Dresden Bahnhof Klotzsche, and then fly from Dresden to Cologne Bonn.

From Cologne to Rothenburg

Take a train from Köln Hbf to Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf, and then fly from Frankfurt (FRA) to Nuremberg (NUE). From there, take a train to Nuernberg Hbf, and then another to Ansbach.

Travel by night train

The distance between Cologne and Rothenburg ob der Tauber is 368 km (288 km or 423 km according to other sources). The road distance is 363.4 km.

There are 5 ways to travel from Cologne to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, including by night train. The night train option involves taking the night train from Köln Süd Bf to Würzburg Hbf, and then taking another train from Würzburg Hbf to Steinach. This journey will also require a train from Köln Hbf to D-Flughafen Bf, or from Koeln Hbf to Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf, and a flight from either Dusseldorf (DUS) or Frankfurt (FRA) to Frankfurt or Nuremberg (NUE) respectively, before taking the final train.

The night train option is a lengthy journey, and it is not direct. It is also worth noting that the cheapest way to travel between these two places is by train during the day, which takes around 4 hours and costs $24-29.50. The fastest way to travel between the two locations is to drive, which takes around 3 hours and 5 minutes.

Frequently asked questions