How much is the train ticket from Cologne to Hamburg?

The cheapest train tickets from Cologne to Hamburg start from R 207. The average price for this train route is around R 948. 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 Hamburg?

The average train journey time from Cologne to Hamburg is 4h 9m, covering a distance of 357 km. The quickest train can get you there in 3h 33m and is operated by Deutsche Bahn ICE .

Which train operators serve the Cologne to Hamburg route?

Several major train operators serve this route, with 29 trains available per day, including services from Deutsche Bahn ICE , FlixTrain , Deutsche Bahn , Deutsche Bahn EuroCity , FlixBus .

What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Cologne to Hamburg?

The earliest train from Cologne to Hamburg departs at 06:01. And the latest train departs at 23:28.

Which is the best train operator from Cologne to Hamburg?

According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated train operator on this route is Deutsche Bahn EuroCity , with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 1 reviews.

Which train operator has the best Wi-Fi from Cologne to Hamburg?

Based on reviews on Busbud, the train operator Deutsche Bahn EuroCity has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 5.0.

Which train operator offers the most punctual service from Cologne to Hamburg?

According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual train operator on this route is Deutsche Bahn EuroCity , with a punctuality rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Which train operator has the cleanest trains from Cologne to Hamburg?

According to Busbud traveller reviews, the train operator with the cleanest trains on this route is Deutsche Bahn EuroCity , with a cleanliness rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Train Cologne to Hamburg from R 143 | Refundable Tickets

Next departures

Next departures from Cologne to Hamburg on 12 December
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	06:59	Hbf	4h 9m	11:08	Hamburg Hbf	Cheapest
	06:15	Hbf	3h 36m	09:51	Hamburg Hbf	Fastest
	15:00	Hbf	4h 7m	19:07	Hamburg Hbf	No tags
Flixtrain + Flixbus	16:14	Hbf	7h 41m	23:55	HAM Airport	No tags
Regionalbahn + Deutsche Bahn ICE	06:04	Cologne Messe/Deutz	3h 47m	09:51	Hamburg Hbf	No tags

Next departures from Cologne to Hamburg on 13 December
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	15:00	Hbf	4h 7m	19:07	Hamburg Hbf	Cheapest
	06:15	Hbf	3h 36m	09:51	Hamburg Hbf	Fastest
	06:59	Hbf	4h 9m	11:08	Hamburg Hbf	No tags
Flixtrain + Flixbus	16:14	Hbf	7h 41m	23:55	HAM Airport	No tags
Regionalbahn + Deutsche Bahn ICE	06:02	Cologne Messe/Deutz	3h 49m	09:51	Hamburg Hbf	No tags

Next departures from Cologne to Hamburg on 14 December
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	11:01	Hbf	4h 7m	15:08	Hamburg Hbf	Cheapest
	12:38	Cologne Messe/Deutz	3h 33m	16:11	Hamburg Hbf	Fastest
	17:01	Hbf	4h 7m	21:08	Hamburg Hbf	No tags
Flixtrain + Flixbus	16:14	Hbf	7h 41m	23:55	HAM Airport	No tags
	06:11	Hbf	4h 4m	10:15	Hamburg Hbf	No tags

Next departures from Cologne to Hamburg on 15 December
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	06:11	Hbf	4h 4m	10:15	Hamburg Hbf	Cheapest
	12:38	Cologne Messe/Deutz	3h 33m	16:11	Hamburg Hbf	Fastest
	09:01	Hbf	4h 6m	13:07	Hamburg Hbf	No tags
Flixtrain + Flixbus	16:14	Hbf	7h 41m	23:55	HAM Airport	No tags
	06:11	Hbf	4h 4m	10:15	Hamburg Hbf	No tags

Next departures from Cologne to Hamburg on 16 December
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
06:11	Hbf	4h 4m	10:15	Hamburg Hbf	Cheapest
12:38	Cologne Messe/Deutz	3h 33m	16:11	Hamburg Hbf	Fastest
08:14	Hbf	8h 20m	16:34	Hamburg Hbf	No tags
06:11	Hbf	4h 4m	10:15	Hamburg Hbf	No tags
07:40	Hbf	4h 6m	11:46	Hamburg Hbf	No tags

Next departures from Cologne to Hamburg on 17 December
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	06:11	Hbf	4h 4m	10:15	Hamburg Hbf	Cheapest
	12:38	Cologne Messe/Deutz	3h 33m	16:11	Hamburg Hbf	Fastest
Flixtrain + Flixbus	08:14	Hbf	7h 16m	15:30	Hamburg Central Bus Station (ZOB)	No tags
	08:14	Hbf	8h 20m	16:34	Hamburg Hbf	No tags
	06:11	Hbf	4h 4m	10:15	Hamburg Hbf	No tags

Next departures from Cologne to Hamburg on 18 December
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	06:11	Hbf	4h 4m	10:15	Hamburg Hbf	Cheapest
	09:01	Hbf	3h 54m	12:55	Harburg	Fastest
	09:01	Hbf	4h 6m	13:07	Hamburg Hbf	No tags
Flixtrain + Flixbus	16:14	Hbf	7h 41m	23:55	HAM Airport	No tags
	06:11	Hbf	4h 4m	10:15	Hamburg Hbf	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 9:00 PM CET.

Compare 3 ways to travel from Cologne to Hamburg

We recommend carpooling

Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as a good way to reach Hamburg. The journey takes about 4 hours 20 minutes and with fares starting at just R 355, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

11carpool per day

4h 20mAverage duration

358 kmDistance

15kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average priceR 291 - R 1 917	Average duration8h 50m	CO₂ emissions 9kg CO₂e
Train	Average priceR 207 - R 3 824	Average duration4h 9m	CO₂ emissions 9kg CO₂e
Carpool	Average priceR 355 - R 843	Average duration4h 20m	CO₂ emissions 15kg CO₂e

Where are the popular train stations and stops in Cologne and Hamburg?

Cologne

A
Hbf
Bahnsteig Gleis 2 + 3, 50667 Köln, Germany
Visit page
B
Cologne/Bonn Airport
Visit page
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

Hamburg

A
Hamburg Central Bus Station (ZOB)
Bahnsteig Gleis 7 + 8, 20099 Hamburg, Germany
Visit page
B
Harburg
Hörstener Str. 1, 21079 Hamburg, Germany
Visit page
C
Hamburg Airport
Visit page
D
Hamburg Altona
Bahnhof Altona, Scheel-Plessen-Straße 17, 22765 Hamburg, Germany

Train Companies

Deutsche Bahn ICE

4/510 reviews

Timeliness2.5

Cleanliness5

FlixTrain

3/517 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness2.8

Cleanliness4.1

WiFi1.1

Deutsche Bahn

4/56 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness2.5

Cleanliness3.4

WiFi3.4

Deutsche Bahn EuroCity

5/51 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness5

Cleanliness5

WiFi5

FlixBus

3.5/511 577 reviews

Staff4.2

Timeliness3.9

Cleanliness4.1

WiFi2.7

DE train companies: Amtrak, Trenitalia, Deutsche Bahn, Renfe, Deutsche Bahn ICE, VIA Rail Canada, RegioJet

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Cologne to Hamburg 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 Hamburg?
The cheapest train tickets from Cologne to Hamburg start from R 207. The average price for this train route is around R 948. 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 Hamburg?
The average train journey time from Cologne to Hamburg is 4h 9m, covering a distance of 357 km. The quickest train can get you there in 3h 33m and is operated by Deutsche Bahn ICE.
Which train operators serve the Cologne to Hamburg route?
Several major train operators serve this route, with 29 trains available per day, including services from Deutsche Bahn ICE, FlixTrain, Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn EuroCity, FlixBus.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Cologne to Hamburg?
The earliest train from Cologne to Hamburg departs at 06:01. And the latest train departs at 23:28.
Which is the best train operator from Cologne to Hamburg?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated train operator on this route is Deutsche Bahn EuroCity, with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 1 reviews.
Which train operator has the best Wi-Fi from Cologne to Hamburg?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the train operator Deutsche Bahn EuroCity has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 5.0.
Which train operator offers the most punctual service from Cologne to Hamburg?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual train operator on this route is Deutsche Bahn EuroCity, with a punctuality rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.
Which train operator has the cleanest trains from Cologne to Hamburg?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the train operator with the cleanest trains on this route is Deutsche Bahn EuroCity, 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.

Best price found

10/12

R 577

11/12

R 529

Today

R 792

13/12

R 562

14/12

R 916

15/12

R 570

16/12

R 415

17/12

R 416

The cheapest trip from Cologne to Hamburg was searched and found on 16 Dec 2025 with a price of R 415

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from Cologne to Hamburg as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from R 415 to R 4 064 for a train ticket from Cologne to Hamburg based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 415, which is on 2025-12-16.

Usually Deutsche Bahn ICE will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.