How to get from Cologne to Frankfurt
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Cologne to Frankfurt. The most useful door-to-door route takes 55m by train with no transfer. The two cities are about 546 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
The lowest we recorded in the last 14 days was €12, on Sat, Sep 5.
This fare comes from a search on September 1, 2026 and has not been refreshed since. Run a live search for today's price.
546 km
Which way suits you?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | €15Omio catalogue, Sep 9 | 55mdirect | See Train details |
| Bus | €9Omio catalogue, Sep 9 | 1h 55mdirect | See Bus details |
- Train€15Omio catalogue, Sep 955m · directSee Train details
- Bus€9Omio catalogue, Sep 91h 55m · directSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
Cologne to Frankfurt: cheapest or fastest?
All from the same recent search. Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1Cologne → Frankfurttrain
Deutsche Bahn·55m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
The observed fares belong to earlier dates.
Search my dateWhich date should you go?
The amounts on each day are fares seen earlier, not live offers. A day with no figure is one we have not priced, not one without a service.
Flight calendar
Flight prices by day, Cologne to Frankfurt
The lowest fare we saw for each day over the next three months. Tap a day to search it live.
September 2026
€148November 2026
Departures from Cologne to Frankfurt
FlixBus runs 69 scheduled departures a day, the first at 00:00 and the last at 23:35.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBusbus | 69 | 00:00 | 23:35 |
| BlaBlaCar Busbus | 1 | 22:20 | 22:20 |
| DB Fernverkehr (Codesharing)train | 1 | 23:53 | 23:53 |
| Deutsche Bahntrain | 12 | — | — |
| DB ICEtrain | 1 | — | — |
Departure times come from operator timetables and are local time at the origin. Where a row shows no times, the frequency is the operator's own and the timetable is not published to us. Times can change on holidays and at short notice; confirm with the operator before you travel.
Departure and arrival
Ticket prices on this route
What each way of travelling costs, as the operator publishes it. These describe the route rather than a date you pick, and they refresh once a day. Booking opens at our partner Omio.
Omio last refreshed these on Wed, Sep 9
Operators seen on these journeys
On this route you travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixBus; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Cologne to Frankfurt works
Start with a Deutsche Bahn train from Cologne to Frankfurt, about 55 min. In total it's roughly €33 over 55 min, direct, no transfers.
Cologne to Frankfurt: common questions
How long does it take to get from Cologne to Frankfurt?
The most useful route takes about 55m by train, with no transfer.
How far is Frankfurt from Cologne?
About 546 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Cologne to Frankfurt cost?
Our latest search put the route we recommend at €33. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Which operators run Cologne to Frankfurt?
On this route you travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixBus.
What is the cheapest way to get from Cologne to Frankfurt?
Usually a flexible date, or leaving from a nearby airport. A live search puts every option for your dates side by side.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Routavio sends you straight to the operator or an independent third-party provider. We never add a booking fee. The final fare and availability are confirmed by that provider.
Other ways people search Cologne to Frankfurt
- how to get from Cologne to Frankfurt
- Cologne to Frankfurt travel time
- Cologne to Frankfurt distance
- cheapest way from Cologne to Frankfurt