Travelling from Brussels to Cologne is easy, with several transport options available. The fastest and most popular way to travel between the two cities is by train, with the journey taking between 1 hour 41 minutes and 2 hours 40 minutes. The train is also the cheapest option, with tickets costing as little as $12.50. Alternatively, you can travel by rideshare or car, which takes around 2 hours 47 minutes and 2 hours respectively.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Average Duration | 1 hour 41 minutes - 2 hours 40 minutes |
Cheapest Price | €12.50 - €16 |
Fastest Service | 1 hour 48 minutes - 1 hour 50 minutes |
Earliest Departure | 00:20 |
Latest Departure | 21:55 |
Distance | 113 - 185 kilometres |
Number of Trains per Day | 12 - 16 |
First Station | Brussels-Nord/Brussels-Midi |
Last Station | Koeln Hbf/Köln Hauptbahnhof |
Travel by train
Travelling from Cologne to Brussels by train is simple, smart, and speedy. The high-speed Eurostar and ICE trains will take you from Cologne to Brussels in less than 2 hours. The journey to Germany's "fun-loving capital" takes around 1 hour 50 minutes, with tickets starting from €16.
Cologne to Brussels by train: the details
The journey begins at Köln Hbf, Cologne's main train station, which is located in the heart of the city, next to the famous cathedral. The station is also a major rail hub for journeys to other destinations in Germany and beyond.
Upon arrival in Brussels, you will find yourself at Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid, one of the city's principal stations. From here, you can easily access the rest of the city by public transport, including tram, metro, bus, or train.
There are 5 direct trains a day from Cologne to Brussels, with the first train departing Cologne at 4:44 a.m. and the last train at 7:50 p.m. The journey takes between 1 hour 45 minutes and 1 hour 55 minutes, depending on the train provider and the number of changes.
The average train ticket price from Cologne to Brussels is $85 (€73), but prices vary depending on the time of day and class. The cheapest tickets can be found for $40 (€34) when booked in advance, while buying on the day can cost up to $93.
There are several train providers that operate on the Cologne to Brussels route, including:
- Deutsche Bahn
- Eurostar
- SNCB
- FlixBus
Onboard experience and travel classes
Onboard services vary depending on the train provider but generally include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and food and drink options. Some providers, like Eurostar, offer different travel classes with varying levels of comfort and service.
Luggage allowance
When travelling by train from Cologne to Brussels, you are usually allowed to bring two items of luggage (maximum size of 75 x 53 x 30 cm) and one item of hand luggage. There is no weight limit, but you should be able to carry and store your luggage in the dedicated areas.
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Travel by car
The driving distance between Cologne and Brussels is approximately 131 miles, and the journey should take around 2 hours.
Directions:
- Leaving Cologne, get on B55 in Riehl from Rheinische Anschlusstelle and B9.
- Follow B55 to A559 in Köln. Take the A559 exit from B55.
- Follow A559 to A4/E40 in Köln-Porz. Take the A4 exit from A559.
- Follow A4/E40 to A3/E25/E42 in Frechen. Take the A3/E25/E42 exit from A4/E40.
- Follow A3/E25/E42 and A44 to B26 in Aachen. Take the B26 exit from A44.
- Follow B26 to Vaalser Str. in Aachen.
- Continue on Vaalser Str. Drive from B258 and B1 to Brussels.
Tips:
- There are several gas stations along the route, including Aral, AVIA, and ESSO.
- There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes along the way, such as McDonald's, Burger King, and Café Del Sol.
- If you need to take a break, there are some nice spots for a quick stop, including the Kölner Dom cathedral and the Romano-Germanic Museum in Cologne, and the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels.
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Travel by bus
Traveling by bus from Brussels to Cologne is a great option, with buses running frequently throughout the day, starting as early as 1:15 a.m. and the last bus leaving at 10:20 p.m. The journey takes approximately 3 hours and 27 minutes, covering a distance of about 113 miles (182 km).
Bus Stations in Brussels:
There are several bus terminals in Brussels, and your departure point will depend on the provider you choose. The key bus stations include:
- Brussels North Train Station
- Brussels Central Train Station
- Gare du Midi Train Station
Bus Operators:
Several providers service the route from Brussels to Cologne, including:
- Flixbus
- Eurolines France
- BlaBlaCar
- Eurolines Germany
- Eurolines Switzerland
- Deinbus
Buying Tickets:
You can easily book your bus tickets online, on the provider's website or mobile app. When booking, you will need to select your departure and destination points, the date and time of travel, and the number of passengers. Buying tickets in advance is recommended to get the best deals. The average ticket price is around €12, but the cheapest tickets can be found for €11.
Luggage Allowance:
Each passenger is allowed to bring one piece of checked luggage (up to 20 kg) and one small piece of hand luggage at no extra cost. Additional or special luggage may incur extra fees.
Onboard Amenities:
Most buses on this route offer amenities like free Wi-Fi, power outlets, extra legroom, and toilets. Some providers also offer reserved seating options, such as table seats or panorama seats, which may come at an additional cost.
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Travel by plane
Although there are no direct flights from Cologne to Brussels, you can take a connecting flight. The fastest option is to take a train to Düsseldorf Airport, which takes 1h 20m, then fly to Brussels, which takes 1h 10m. The total journey time, including transfers, is 3h 30m. Alternatively, you can take a train to Frankfurt am Main Airport, which takes 1h 10m, then fly to Brussels, which takes 1h 10m. The total journey time, including transfers, is 3h 40m.
When flying from Düsseldorf Airport, you'll board your flight at Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) and land at Brussels Airport (BRU). From Frankfurt am Main Airport, you'll fly out from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and arrive at the same Brussels Airport.
When booking your flight, you may choose from a number of airlines, including Lufthansa, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, and Austrian Airlines.
Please note that flight durations may vary depending on factors such as weather conditions and the specific flight route. It is always advisable to check the latest information on flight schedules and make bookings in advance to secure your preferred travel dates and times.
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Travel by taxi
If you want to travel from Cologne to Brussels by taxi, there are a few options available to you. The journey will take around 2 hours and 30 minutes, and the most expensive ticket will cost you 452.65 USD.
You can book a taxi through a ridesharing app or website. For example, Kiwitaxi offers taxis with English-speaking drivers and free cancellation and changes. You can also pay online or in cash on-site. The website allows you to choose the route and car, and you can select a vehicle of any capacity, from a micro for two people to a 19-seater bus.
Another option is to book a taxi through a private transfer company. These companies offer a range of vehicles, from premium class cars to minibusses, and you can expect a similar level of service to Kiwitaxi. However, these companies tend to be more expensive, with prices starting at around 168.99 USD.
Finally, you can also hail a taxi on-site in Cologne or call a taxi service. This option may be cheaper if your destination is close to the airport, but there are often queues, and it can be challenging to find a trustworthy driver.
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Frequently asked questions
You can take a train or a bus.
The cheapest way to travel from Cologne to Brussels is by taking a bus, which costs on average $17 (€15).
The fastest way to travel to Brussels from Cologne is by train, with an average travel time of 48 minutes.
The distance between the two cities is around 113 miles (182 km).
Yes, there are direct trains from Cologne to Brussels with operators including Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar, and SNCB.