Travel Guide: Cologne To Frankfurt

Cologne and Frankfurt am Main are two cities in Germany separated by a distance of about 100 miles. There are several ways to get from Cologne to Frankfurt am Main, including by train, bus, plane, car, or rideshare. The fastest way to travel between the two cities is by train, which takes about 1 hour. The cheapest option is by rideshare, which costs between $7 and $18.

Cologne to Frankfurt by train

The fastest way to travel from Cologne to Frankfurt is by train, with an average journey time of 1 hour 8 minutes, and a distance of 152 kilometres. The first train from Cologne to Frankfurt usually departs at around 04:10 on weekdays, and 04:13 on weekends. The last train typically leaves at 23:55 on weekdays, and 00:28 on weekends. There are about 61 trains travelling between the two cities every day, with a train departing approximately every 10 minutes.

The cheapest tickets for a single journey between the two cities start from $17.50. Booking in advance is recommended, as tickets tend to be more expensive on the day of travel. Tickets booked 30 days in advance are likely to cost around $25, while tickets booked 7 days in advance are likely to cost around $35.

The Intercity-Express (ICE) and InterCity (IC) trains operated by Deutsche Bahn are the fastest way to travel between the two cities, with a maximum speed of 300 kilometres per hour. The ICE train offers free WiFi, a dining car, a children's compartment, and power sockets. The IC train is slightly slower, with a maximum speed of 200 kilometres per hour, but offers extra legroom and extra space for toddlers. It is also equipped with air conditioning, a food carriage, and wheelchair parking spaces.

The train from Cologne to Frankfurt is also a great option as it brings you right into the heart of the city, with the Cologne Cathedral being the first thing you see when you step out of the Central Station.

Cologne to Frankfurt by bus

Buses are a great way to travel from Cologne to Frankfurt, especially if you're looking for a cheaper option than the train. The journey takes between 1 hour 55 minutes and 2 hours 50 minutes, with some buses making one stop along the way.

Bus Companies

FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, and RegioJet are some of the companies that operate buses on this route. FlixBus is a popular option, known for its cheap fares and comfortable coaches. Their buses are equipped with large and comfortable seats, toilets, Wi-Fi, and power outlets. BlaBlaCar Bus ticket prices on this trip start at $62.00, while RegioJet tickets start at $13.00.

Tickets and Fares

Ticket prices vary depending on the company and can range from as low as $9 to $27 one-way. You can book your tickets online in advance through websites like Omio, Busbud, or directly from the bus company's website. FlixBus, for example, offers tickets from as low as $10.49, and the average price is around $10.99. Booking in advance and avoiding peak travel times can help you find the best fares.

Bus Stations

In Cologne, buses to Frankfurt usually depart from the Köln Bonn Airport, but they may also leave from other stations such as Cologne, Siegburger Street (Access Tankstelle) or Heinrich-von-Stephan-Straße.

Upon arriving in Frankfurt, your bus will arrive at one of the following stations:

• Frankfurt Central Station (Frankfurt am Main, Hbf)
• Frankfurt Airport (FRA Frankfurt airport)
• Frankfurt, Flughafen Terminal 2
• Frankfurt - Main bus station

Frequency

There are up to three daily departures from Cologne to Frankfurt, and weekend trips are available. The first bus usually leaves around 2:15 am, and the last bus departs at 10:35 pm or 11:35 pm, depending on the day. It's recommended to check the schedules for the specific date you plan to travel.

Cologne to Frankfurt by car

The German cities of Cologne and Frankfurt are only 118 miles (191 kilometres) apart. The fastest route by car is the Autobahn A3, which goes directly between the two cities. The drive will take approximately two hours.

If you want to take the scenic route, you can drive along the Rhine River. This route takes about 20 minutes longer and is 126 miles (203 kilometres) long. To get on this route, take the A3 from Frankfurt for 88 miles (142 kilometres), continue onto the B48, and then take Exit 11 to merge onto the B42. After driving through the town of Neuwied, this highway travels right along the river until you pass Drachenburg Castle on your right and B49 changes to A59. Stay left at the fork to continue onto A559 and follow signs to Cologne.

Renting a car is a great option for families travelling together, and it's also a good excuse to enjoy a high-speed drive on the Autobahn, which has no speed limits. Before driving in Germany, make sure you read up on some tips and the rules of the road.

Cologne and Frankfurt

Cologne is the fourth-largest city in Germany and is famous for its Cologne Cathedral, one of Germany's most famous landmarks. The city is located on the Rhine River.

Frankfurt is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. It is the only city in the country rated as an "alpha world city".

Cologne to Frankfurt by plane

Although the cities of Cologne and Frankfurt are only 118 miles (191 kilometres) apart, you may still wish to travel by plane. This guide will take you through the steps to get from Cologne to Frankfurt by plane.

Step 1: Get to Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN)

Firstly, you need to get to Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN). The airport is located 9.3 miles southeast of Cologne city centre. You can get to the airport by train, bus, or car. The train is the fastest way to get to the airport, taking only 14 minutes from the central station. The bus can take up to an hour, but it is much cheaper.

Step 2: Fly to Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)

Once you have arrived at Cologne/Bonn Airport, you can take a direct flight to Frankfurt am Main Airport. Lufthansa is the only airline that offers non-stop flights between these two airports, and one-way flights typically cost between $84 and $180. The flight will take around 45 minutes.

Step 3: Get to Frankfurt City Centre

Finally, you need to get from Frankfurt am Main Airport to the city centre. The airport is located 6.2 miles southwest of the city centre, and you can get there by train, subway, bus, or car. The train is the fastest option, taking only 11 minutes to get to Frankfurt Central Station. The subway and bus take a little longer, but they are cheaper options.

Cologne to Frankfurt by rideshare

Ridesharing is a great option for travelling from Cologne to Frankfurt, especially if you don't have a driver's license or want to avoid public transport. It is also a very cheap option, with prices ranging from $7 to $18. The cost is kept low as ridesharing consists of sharing a car with other individuals taking the same trip, meaning that passengers split the costs of gas and tolls.

The distance from Cologne to Frankfurt is 112 miles, or 118 miles by road, and the journey will take around 2 hours and 13 minutes. This is a little slower than travelling by car, which takes around 2 hours, but is much faster than taking the bus, which takes 2 hours and 45 minutes.

If you are looking for a rideshare option, check out Blablacar's carpooling service, which offers rides between the two cities.

Frequently asked questions