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Travel from Madrid to Cologne by train in 23 hours 19 minutes

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

The average journey time from Madrid to Cologne by train is 25 hours 56 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 23 hours 19 minutes. You'll usually find 7 trains per day traveling the 1247 km between these two destinations. You'll need to make 5 changes along the way as there are no direct services to Cologne.

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

Madrid to Cologne by train

First train

6:15 am

Last train

9:10 pm

Departure station

Madrid

Arrival station

Cologne

Journey time

From 23h 19m

Distance

775 miles (1247 km)

Frequency

7 trains per day

Changes

5 changes

Madrid to Cologne train times

Check out the next trains departing from Madrid to Cologne for Tuesday Dec 3rd 2024. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
DepartsArrivesDuration
5:15 am 4:34 am 23h 19m, 5 changes
9:05 am 9:19 am 24h 14m, 8 changes
9:05 am 11:19 am 26h 14m, 5 changes
12:25 pm 2:19 pm 25h 54m, 10 changes
12:25 pm 3:19 pm 26h 54m, 6 changes
12:25 pm 4:19 pm 27h 54m, 5 changes
8:10 pm 11:19 pm 27h 9m, 6 changes

Cheap train tickets from Madrid to Cologne

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 Madrid to Cologne 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.

FAQs about the train journey from Madrid to Cologne

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

How do I travel from Madrid to Cologne?

You can get from Madrid to Cologne in 25 hours and 56 minutes on average, with the fastest trains taking just 23 hours and 19 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details on times, tickets and prices.

How long does the train from Madrid to Cologne take?

The average journey time by train between Madrid and Cologne is 25 hours and 56 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 Madrid and Cologne by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Madrid to Cologne is 23 hours and 19 minutes.

Can you take a train directly from Madrid to Cologne?

No, there are no direct train services from Madrid to Cologne. Travelling from Madrid to Cologne by train will require a minimum of 5 changes.


* 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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