Exploring Germany: Dresden To Cologne By Train

Trains are a popular way to travel from Dresden to Cologne, with 10 direct trains making the journey per day. The journey covers a distance of approximately 474-475 kilometres and takes just over 6 hours on average. The first train leaves at around 4:30-5:00 AM and the last train leaves at around 9:00-10:00 PM. The price of a train ticket varies, with the cheapest tickets costing $20-22 (€18) and same-day tickets costing around $123 on average.

Fastest route

The fastest way to travel from Dresden to Cologne, Germany, is by plane, which takes approximately 5 hours and 31 minutes. However, this option can be expensive, with tickets costing up to $370.

Direct Trains

There is a direct train service from Dresden to Cologne that takes around 7 hours and 36 minutes. This route is operated by Deutsche Bahn Intercity-Express, and there are five trains per day. The trains depart from Dresden Hauptbahnhof and arrive at Köln Hbf or Köln Messe/Deutz Bf.

Alternative Train Route

If you don't mind changing trains, there is a faster route that takes approximately 6 hours and 24 minutes. This involves taking the train from Dresden Hauptbahnhof to Fulda, then changing to a train to Frankfurt, and finally taking another train to Köln Messe/Deutz Bf or Köln Hbf.

Other Options

You could also take a bus or drive, but these options will take longer, at 7 hours 53 minutes and 5 hours 3 minutes, respectively.

Cheapest tickets

Cheap Tickets for the Dresden to Cologne Train Route

The cheapest tickets for the Dresden to Cologne train route can be found for as little as $20.00 (€18.00). The average price of a train ticket for this journey is $88 (€75), but prices vary depending on the time of day and class.

Booking in Advance

Booking your ticket in advance is a great way to save money. If you book 30 days in advance, tickets will cost around $55, while booking 7 days in advance will cost around $76.

Travel Providers

Deutsche Bahn and FlixTrain are two travel providers that operate on this route. Deutsche Bahn is Germany's main rail provider, making about 40,000 journeys per day. They offer a wide range of ticket types, including Super Saver, Saver, and Flexible fares, as well as discount cards. FlixTrain is a German railway company that runs on 100% renewable energy. They offer free WiFi, food and drinks, and a standard ticket that guarantees you a seat.

Direct Trains

There is 1 direct train per day from Dresden to Cologne with FlixTrain. However, there are multiple transfers available, and the route is serviced by 10 trains per day.

Average journey time

The average journey time for a train from Dresden to Cologne is around 6 to 7 hours, with some journeys taking as long as 11 hours. The trains cover a distance of approximately 474-475 kilometres.

The first train from Dresden to Cologne usually leaves at around 05:10, with the last departure at around 15:26. On Saturdays and Sundays, the first train leaves at around 05:10, with the final departure at 15:13. There are 10 direct trains a day, with 55 trains making the journey in total.

The fastest way to travel between the two cities is by plane, which takes around 5 hours.

Journey distance

The distance between Dresden and Cologne is approximately 474-475 kilometres or 295 miles. The average distance by train is 475 kilometres or 295 miles.

The distance covered by train depends on the route taken. The fastest trains from Dresden to Cologne take around 7 hours and 24 minutes, while the slowest trains can take up to 11 hours and 48 minutes.

On weekdays, the first train from Cologne to Dresden usually departs around 5:10 AM, with the last departure at 3:26 PM. On weekends, the first train leaves at 5:10 AM and the last train departs at 3:13 PM.

For the opposite route, from Dresden to Cologne, the first train usually departs at 4:51 AM on weekdays and 4:28 AM on weekends, with the last departure at 9:07 PM every day.

Number of daily trains

There are a number of different options for trains from Dresden to Cologne, with the number of daily trains varying depending on the day of the week. On weekdays, there are 17 trains per day, leaving approximately every three minutes. The first train leaves Cologne at around 5:10 am, and the last departure is usually at around 3:26 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, there are fewer trains, with the first train leaving at 5:10 am and the last train departing at around 3:13 pm.

Deutsche Bahn offers 11 trains per day from Dresden to Cologne, with an average duration of 6 hours and 4 minutes. FlixTrain also offers one direct train per day, with an average duration of 7 hours and 16 minutes.

In total, there are 59 trains travelling from Cologne to Dresden every day, with 5 of these being direct trains.

Frequently asked questions