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Travel from Cologne to Madrid by train in 25 hours 32 minutes

If you want to know more about the journey from Cologne to Madrid by train, look no further!

The average journey time from Cologne to Madrid by train is 29 hours 19 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 25 hours 32 minutes. You'll usually find 7 trains per day traveling the 1247 km between these two destinations. You'll need to make 4 changes along the way as there are no direct services to Madrid.

Book train tickets from Cologne to Madrid in advance instead of buying them on the day and you'll snap up the cheapest fares. You can check prices from Cologne to Madrid in our Journey Planner.

Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information, including our train schedule where you can view first and last train times, as well as tips on how to find cheap train tickets.

Cologne to Madrid by train

First train

12:20 am

Last train

9:40 pm

Departure station

Cologne

Arrival station

Madrid

Journey time

From 25h 32m

Distance

775 miles (1247 km)

Frequency

7 trains per day

Changes

4 changes

FAQs about the train journey from Cologne to Madrid

Want to know more about your journey from Cologne to Madrid? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How do I travel from Cologne to Madrid?

You can get from Cologne to Madrid in 29 hours and 19 minutes on average, with the fastest trains taking just 25 hours and 32 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details on times, tickets and prices.

How long does the train from Cologne to Madrid take?

The average journey time by train between Cologne and Madrid is 29 hours and 19 minutes, with around 7 trains per day running on this route. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between Cologne and Madrid by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Cologne to Madrid is 25 hours and 32 minutes.

Can you take a train directly from Cologne to Madrid?

No, there are no direct train services from Cologne to Madrid. Travelling from Cologne to Madrid by train will require a minimum of 4 changes.

Cologne to Madrid train times

Check out the next trains departing from Cologne to Madrid for Monday Dec 30th 2024. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
DepartsArrivesDuration
11:20 pm8:08 am32h 48m, 7 changes
7:40 am2:45 pm31h 5m, 5 changes
8:40 am2:45 pm30h 5m, 6 changes
11:40 am4:25 pm28h 45m, 4 changes
3:40 pm10:12 pm30h 32m, 4 changes
7:40 pm10:12 pm26h 32m, 7 changes
8:40 pm10:12 pm25h 32m, 8 changes

Cheap train tickets from Cologne to Madrid

Book in advance

Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Cologne to Madrid by booking early.§

Be flexible with your travel times

Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.

Choose a slower or connecting train

On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!

Look out for special deals

Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.

For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.


* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.

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