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Travel from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) by train in 8 hours 11 minutes
If you want to know more about the journey from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) by train, look no further!
The average journey time from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) by train is 10 hours 29 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 8 hours 11 minutes. Around 13 trains per day travel the 461 miles (743 km) between these two destinations. Direct trains are usually available every day on the route to Cologne (Germany). You're likely to be travelling with ICE, DB or ÖBB to Cologne (Germany). As the main train operators on this route, all offer plenty of space for luggage and comfortable seating as standard.
Book train tickets from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) in advance instead of buying them on the day and they can start from £34.93. We'll always highlight the cheapest prices when you search in our Journey Planner.
Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information, including our timetable where you can view first and last train times, as well as tips on how to find cheap train tickets.
Vienna to Cologne (Germany) by train
It takes an average of 10h 29m to travel from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) by train, over a distance of around 461 miles (743 km). There are normally 13 trains per day travelling from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) and tickets for this journey start from £34.93 when you book in advance.
| First train | 00:08 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 21:35 | |
| Departure station | Vienna | |
| Arrival station | Cologne (Germany) | |
| Journey time | From 8h 11m | |
| Distance | 461 miles (743 km) | |
| Frequency | 13 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From £34.93 | |
| Train and bus operators |
Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB and ICE (Intercity Express) trains from Vienna to Cologne (Germany)
Deutsche Bahn
ÖBB
ICE (Intercity Express)
The Deutsche Bahn Group is owned by the German State and controls the majority of rail traffic in Germany as well as in many border regions of the country. Every year, Deutsche Bahn transports several million passengers and many stations in Germany are served exclusively by DB trains, including the ICE, IC and EC fleet.
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ÖBB is the major railway company for Austria, subdivided into several subsidiaries, responsible for certain areas of transport, such as long distance and local transport, the operation of postal buses and the transport of goods. Railjet is ÖBB's high-speed train, which travels at speeds of up to 143 mph (230 km/h) and connects the main Austrian cities with Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Italy.
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- ÖBB /
- Railjet /
- Nightjet /
- Trains in Austria
The high-speed train of Deutsche Bahn, with a maximum speed of 205 mph (330 km/h), the ICE connects major cities and is also used for international travel to neighbouring countries such as Austria, France and Denmark. This train is equipped with air conditioning, a dining car, a children's compartment and power sockets. Passengers enjoy a free WiFi connection throughout the duration of the ICE trip.
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ICE and ICE classes from Vienna to Cologne (Germany)
Compare the different travel classes offered by ICE and ICE when travelling from Vienna to Cologne (Germany).
ICE
ICE
Second Class
If you're travelling in ICE's Second Class, you'll get to enjoy free WiFi and a bistrò carriage where you can buy snacks and drinks.
- Power sockets
- Fold-down table
- Free WiFi
- Entertainment portal
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Seat reservation
- Lounge access
- Catering at your seat
- Fast track
- Quiet area
First Class
In addition to all the amenities in Second Class, in First Class you'll get more legroom, a catering service, Fast Track in some stations and free access to DB lounges.
- Power sockets
- Fold-down table
- Free WiFi
- Entertainment portal
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Seat reservation
- Lounge access
- Catering at your seat
- Fast track
- Quiet area
Economy
The Economy Class on ÖBB's ICE trains comes with plenty of amenities, including WiFi, generous luggage allowance and a restaurant and bistro carriage.
- Free WiFi
- Power sockets
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Luggage storage
- Air-conditioning
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
- Catering at your seat
First Class
Want to travel in style? Upgrade to First Class and enjoy more legroom, adjustable seats and at-seat catering service.
- Free WiFi
- Power sockets
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Luggage storage
- Air-conditioning
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
- Catering at your seat
Onboard services on ICE and ICE
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Vienna to Cologne (Germany).
ICE
ICE
You can take as much luggage as you like for free without making a reservation.
Luggage items include briefcases, laptops, rucksacks, trolley bags or suitcases. You can also take pushchairs, folding bikes, scooters, skis and surfboards.
Luggage should be stored under the seat or in the overhead luggage rack. Generally, the standard dimensions of luggage racks are 70 x 50 x 30 cm. Larger items of luggage such as suitcases can be stored in the large luggage racks by the doors.
When travelling with ICE, you can enjoy an extensive menu in the on-board restaurant, or you can grab a snack from the bistro carriage. If you choose the latter, you can enjoy your food and drink in the bistro or take it back to your seat.
Upgrade to First Class and you will be served complimentary food and drink at your seat.
DB change their menu every three months, but you will always find a wide variety of locally sourced food and drink, including a range of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
If you’re travelling on a ICE train, you can connect to the free WiFi and catch up on some work or your favourite TV show.
You can also connect to the ICE portal, where you’ll find a wide range of entertainment, such as films, television, audiobooks, games, newspapers and magazines.
On DB’s ICE trains, kids under 5 years old travel for free and don’t need a ticket. Children up to 14 years old travel for free if they are accompanied by a person who is at least 15 years old.
You can also book family areas and children compartments on all ICE trains.
With ICE, you need a bicycle ticket and reservation to take a bicycle onboard. The reservation for your bike is included in the price.
Generally, bike storage spaces are located in second class carriages. Please note that your seat and bike storage space might be located in different carriages.
You can travel with your pet on all ICE trains. You do not need an extra ticket If you have a small dog and they can travel in a transport box. If your dog or pet is bigger than the size of a house cat, you will need an additional ticket, which costs 50% less than a standard ticket. Dogs not travelling in a transport box must be on a lead and wear a muzzle.
Assistance dogs travel free of charge and do not have to wear a muzzle on the train.
DB’s Mobility Service can assist you with boarding, disembarking or changing trains. Also, staff are happy to answer any questions or assist with any queries to make your journey easier.
You can take your luggage free of charge onboard all ÖBB ICE trains, provided that it is stowed in the luggage racks above or below your seat or in the areas provided for hand luggage.
The pieces of luggage must not exceed the maximum dimensions of 90 x 60 x 40cm. These dimensions can only be exceeded if you’re travelling with skis and snowboards, ski and hiking poles, wind, string or plucked instruments, wheelchairs, or strollers.
A restaurant carriage is available on most ÖBB ICE trains and offers a wide range of snacks and drinks. Vegan and vegetarian options are available too. If you upgrade to First Class, your meal of choice will be served straight to your seat.
Unfortunately, ÖBB ICE trains do not offer an entertainment portal on board. Also, WiFi is not always available.
If you’re travelling with your child, you’ll get a discounted ticket. Children aged 0-5 travel for free on ÖBB ICE trains, while those aged 6-14 get a half-price ticket. Kids aged 15 or over need a full-price ticket.
Many ÖBB ICE trains offer special compartments for children in Economy Class – they come with 6 seats and can be booked for any route. Breastfeeding compartments are available too – they have curtains that block the view for more privacy. These seats can’t be booked.
You can travel with your bike for free on all ÖBB ICE trains, provided that it can be folded and is not larger than 90 cm x 60 cm x 40 cm. You won’t need to book a space for your bike. If you can’t fold your bike, you’ll need to buy a bike ticket to reserve your space. You can book your ticket up to 6 months in advance from ÖBB Ticketshop online.
If possible, we recommend you print out your bike reservation and attach it to your bike where it is clearly visible to the ticket inspector.
Small pets can travel for free on ÖBB ICE trains if they’re placed in a carrier or cage. If you can’t carry them in a carrier or cage, you’ll need to buy a ticket for them. They must also be kept on a leash and equipped with a muzzle.
Guide and assistance dogs are allowed on all trains at no additional cost and don’t need to wear a muzzle.
ÖBB ICE trains come with accessible toilets. Depending on the type of coach, several wheelchair bays including one seat for an accompanying person can be booked free of charge.
On many trains, the wheelchair bays are in First Class. However, passengers with wheelchairs and the person accompanying them can travel in First Class with their Second Class tickets and can also make use of the at-seat meal service on offer there.
Cheap train tickets from Vienna to Cologne (Germany)
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 Vienna to Cologne (Germany) 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.
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from Vienna to Cologne (Germany)? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) take?
The average journey time by train between Vienna and Cologne (Germany) is 10 hours and 29 minutes, with around 13 trains per day. 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 Vienna and Cologne (Germany) by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) is 8 hours and 11 minutes.
How much does the train from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) cost?
Train ticket prices from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) can start from as little as £34.93 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.
Is there a direct train from Vienna to Cologne (Germany)?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) without having to change trains. There is 1 direct train from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) leave?
The first train from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) leaves at 00:08. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) leave?
The last train from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) leaves at 21:35. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between Vienna and Cologne (Germany) by train?
Trains travelling from Vienna to Cologne (Germany) cover a distance of around 461 miles (743 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Cologne (Germany) to Vienna.