Exploring Germany: Paderborn To Cologne Distance Revealed

The distance between Cologne and Paderborn is approximately 123 miles by road and 153 kilometres as the crow flies. The journey can be made by car, train, rideshare or plane.

Travel time and distance

The distance between Paderborn and Cologne is approximately 94 to 95 miles, or 151 to 153 kilometres. The fastest way to travel between the two cities is by car, which takes around 1 hour and 42 minutes to cover the 112 to 120-mile road distance.

Travel by Car

The road distance between Paderborn and Cologne is approximately 112 to 120 miles, and the drive typically takes around 1 hour and 42 minutes to 1 hour and 53 minutes.

Travel by Train

By train, the journey from Paderborn to Cologne covers a distance of around 94 to 153 kilometres, depending on the route. The fastest train journey takes 2 hours and 18 minutes, while the average journey time is between 2 hours and 23 minutes to 2 hours and 36 minutes. There are 8 to 43 trains travelling from Paderborn to Cologne every day, with the first train departing at 5:20 AM and the last train leaving at 6:21 PM.

Travel by Plane

If you're travelling by private plane, the flight distance between Paderborn and Cologne is approximately 95 miles or 153 kilometres. The flight time is around 41 minutes, and the total travel time, including travel to and from the airport and time spent at the airport, is around 4 hours.

Transport options

The distance between Paderborn and Cologne is approximately 94-95 miles (151-153 kilometres) as the crow flies. The road distance is about 112-120 miles (193 kilometres).

By train

There are 8-43 trains per day running between Paderborn and Cologne. The average journey time is around 2 hours 20 minutes, with the fastest train taking 2 hours 18 minutes. The cheapest tickets can be found for $10-15 (€9-13) when booked in advance, but the average ticket price is $31-37 (€27). The first train leaves at 00:11 and the last train leaves at 22:15.

By car

The drive from Paderborn to Cologne takes about 1 hour 42 minutes to 1 hour 53 minutes and is about 112-120 miles (193 kilometres).

By rideshare

Ridesharing is the cheapest way to travel between the two cities, costing $9-15, and taking 2 hours 11 minutes.

By plane

If you're travelling by private plane, the flight distance is 95 miles (153 kilometres) and the flight time is 41 minutes. However, if you're flying commercially, you'll need to factor in travel time to and from the airport, security, boarding, taxiing, and waiting time. This brings the total travel time to about 4 hours.

Train providers

The distance between Cologne and Paderborn is approximately 150 kilometres (94 miles) by train. There are three train providers that operate between the two cities:

Deutsche Bahn

Deutsche Bahn is a German train company that offers high-speed InterCity Express (ICE) trains, regional trains, and night trains. ICE trains are the fastest option, with speeds of up to 300 km/h. Regional trains are slower but offer more frequent stops, making them ideal for shorter trips. Night trains provide comfortable sleeping compartments and couchettes, making them a great option for long-distance travel. Deutsche Bahn offers various ticket types, including single, day, and group tickets. Onboard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a range of food and beverage options.

National Express

National Express is a popular train company in the United Kingdom, operating over 550 trains daily to more than 900 destinations. Their trains are air-conditioned and provide free WiFi and onboard entertainment. Most trains are equipped with seat belts and power outlets, ensuring a comfortable journey. National Express offers three types of tickets for the Cologne to Paderborn route: Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare. The Fully Flexible Fare option provides the most flexibility, allowing passengers to easily cancel or change their ticket if needed.

City-BahnChemnitz

Although there is limited information available specifically about the City-BahnChemnitz trains operating between Cologne and Paderborn, this train provider offers services on this route.

Airports

The closest airport to Paderborn is Paderborn-Lippstadt Airport, which is located around 18 km (11 mi) from the city centre. It is a minor international airport, serving flights to European leisure destinations. The airport offers several facilities for travellers, including travel agencies, a restaurant, shops, car rental agencies, and a visitor deck.

The nearest larger international airport to Paderborn is Dortmund Airport, approximately 70 kilometres (43 mi) to the west.

Cologne is served by the Cologne Bonn Airport, which is located 12 km (7.5 mi) southeast of the city centre. It is the seventh-largest passenger airport in Germany, with approximately 12.4 million passengers passing through in 2017. The airport offers services to 115 passenger destinations in 35 countries and is one of the few 24-hour airports in the country. It serves as a hub for Eurowings, FedEx Express, and UPS Airlines, and several leisure and low-cost airlines focus on it.

Cologne Bonn Airport has two passenger terminals located directly next to each other. Terminal 1, a 1970s building, features a U-shaped main building with shops, restaurants, check-in, and service facilities, as well as a visitor deck on its roof. Terminal 2, which began operations in June 2000, is a modern, rectangular building made of glass and steel, equipped with eight stands with jet bridges and several stands for bus boarding.

Things to do in Paderborn

The distance between Cologne and Paderborn is 123 miles by road, and the road trip from Cologne to Paderborn is about 120 miles without making any stops. Here are some things to do in Paderborn:

Paderborn Cathedral

Dedicated to Saint Liborius, Saint Mary, and Saint Kilian, the Paderborn Cathedral is a mesmerising site with a powerful 93-metre western tower, the city's most famous image. The cathedral's architecture is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles and was completed in the 13th century. The Paradise Portal on the southern arm of the western nave features French-style statues, including one of the earliest representations of a standing Mary in Germany. The cathedral is also home to the Pietà, a 14th-century alabaster relief of the Three Kings, and the Gothic Margarethenaltar.

Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum

The Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum is the largest computer museum in the world, showcasing five millennia of information and communication technology. With over 2,000 exhibits, the museum covers everything from Egyptian hieroglyphics and early printing presses to modern robotics and artificial intelligence.

Diocesan Museum

The Diocesan Museum, founded in 1853, is one of the oldest diocesan museums in the German-speaking world. It houses an extensive collection of sacred art from the 10th to the 20th centuries, including the Romanesque Imad Madonna, one of the oldest depictions of Mary in Western art. The museum's architecture is equally impressive, designed to resemble a treasure box built into the cathedral tower.

Museum in der Kaiserpfalz

The Museum in der Kaiserpfalz is built around the foundation walls of the Paderborn's Kaiserpfalz, the seat of the Holy Roman Emperor. These vestiges date back to the 700s and provide insight into the history of Paderborn and Westphalia from the 8th to the 12th centuries. The museum features artefacts such as glassware, wall paintings, jewellery, and architectural fragments.

Adam-and-Eve House

The Adam-and-Eve House is one of the oldest and finest half-timbered houses in Paderborn, dating back to the 1600s. The intricate carvings on its facade depict the story of Adam and Eve, giving the house its name. The ground floor frieze shows their creation and expulsion from the Garden of Eden in the distinctive Weser Renaissance style.

These are just a few of the many attractions Paderborn has to offer, including castles, parks, and festivals, making it a city rich in history and cultural heritage.

Frequently asked questions