Next departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flixbus + Flixtrain | Flughafen Köln/Bonn Airport (CGN) | Willy-Brandt-Platz | Cheapest | |||||
 | Cologne Messe/Deutz | Erfurt Hbf | Fastest | |||||
| Cologne Messe/Deutz | Erfurt Hbf | No tags | |||||
InterCity + Deutsche Bahn ICE | Hbf | Erfurt Hbf | No tags | |||||
| Cologne Messe/Deutz | Erfurt Hbf | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Last Wednesday at 11:35 AM CET.
Compare 3 ways to travel from Cologne to Erfurt
Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as a good way to reach Erfurt. The journey takes about 4 hours and with fares starting at just R 409, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Where are the popular train stations and stops in Cologne and Erfurt?
Cologne
- ABahnsteig Gleis 2 + 3, 50667 Köln, Germany
- C
Köln-Blumenberg
Köln-Blumenberg, 50765 Köln, Germany - D
Köln-Dellbrück
Dellbrück, Diepeschrather Str., 51069 Köln, Germany - E
Köln-Holweide
Köln-Holweide, 51067 Köln, Germany - F
Köln Volkhovener Weg
Volkhovener Weg, 50767 Köln, Germany
Erfurt
- A
Willy-Brandt-Platz
Willy-Brandt-Platz 1, 99084 Erfurt, Germany
Train Companies
Frequently asked questions about travelling from Cologne to Erfurt by train
Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or differ at the time of your trip.
How much is the train ticket from Cologne to Erfurt?
The cheapest train tickets from Cologne to Erfurt start from R 1 062. The average price for this train route is around R 2 065. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Cologne to Erfurt?
The average train journey time from Cologne to Erfurt is 4h 26m, covering a distance of 285 km. The quickest train can get you there in 3h 23m and is operated by Deutsche Bahn ICE.
Which train operators serve the Cologne to Erfurt route?
Several major train operators serve this route, with 29 trains available per day, including services from Deutsche Bahn ICE, Deutsche Bahn, FlixBus, FlixTrain.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Cologne to Erfurt?
The earliest train from Cologne to Erfurt departs at 06:00. And the latest train departs at 22:27.
Which is the best train operator from Cologne to Erfurt?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated train operator on this route is Deutsche Bahn ICE, with an average rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars based on 11 reviews.
Which train operator has the best Wi-Fi from Cologne to Erfurt?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the train operator Deutsche Bahn has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.4.
Which train operator offers the most punctual service from Cologne to Erfurt?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual train operator on this route is FlixBus, with a punctuality rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.
Which train operator has the cleanest trains from Cologne to Erfurt?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the train operator with the cleanest trains on this route is Deutsche Bahn ICE, with a cleanliness rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.
Find cheapest prices for trains
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Cologne to Erfurt was searched and found on 23 Dec 2025 with a price of R 1 152To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from Cologne to Erfurt as early as possible.
