Trains from Barcelona to Cologne
is Europe’s Nº 1 destination for train and bus tickets*
Official distributor
Search. Book. Travel.
Looking for a cheap price?
Look no further. Compare tickets easily with our price calendar.
We’ll find you the cheapest day to travel.
Search. Book. Travel.
Say hello to Your Account
All your tickets and travel info, all in one place. Easy as that.
Got a question? Our support team are on hand 24/7.
Search. Book. Travel.
No more fumbling in your pockets
Digital tickets live neatly in our app, so you can just tap, scan and go.
All your tickets, all in the palm of your hand.
Search. Book. Travel.
Looking for a cheap price?
Look no further. Compare tickets easily with our price calendar.
We’ll find you the cheapest day to travel.
Search. Book. Travel.
Say hello to Your Account
All your tickets and travel info, all in one place. Easy as that.
Got a question? Our support team are on hand 24/7.
What customers say about Trainline
Read real reviews from real users
Taking the train from Barcelona to Cologne in 16 hours
Thinking about taking the train from Barcelona to Cologne? We've got you covered.
It usually takes around 21 hours 31 minutes to travel the 780 km from Barcelona to Cologne by train, although you can get there in as little as 16 hours on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 7 trains per day running on this route. You'll need to make 4 changes along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line.
Train tickets from Barcelona to Cologne are usually cheaper when you book in advance compared to buying them on the day. Start a search in our Journey Planner to check out the latest prices.
Keen to book your train tickets to Cologne? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to find out a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train schedule below, tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs, including first and last train times.
Barcelona to Cologne by train
| First train | 08:19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 16:34 | |
| Departure station | Barcelona | |
| Arrival station | Cologne | |
| Journey time | From 16h 0m | |
| Distance | 485 miles (780 km) | |
| Frequency | 7 trains per day | |
| Changes | 4 changes |
Cheap train tickets from Barcelona 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 Barcelona 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 for Barcelona to Cologne
Want to know more about your journey from Barcelona to Cologne? 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 Barcelona to Cologne take?
The average journey time by train between Barcelona and Cologne is 21 hours and 31 minutes, with around 7 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 Barcelona and Cologne by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Barcelona to Cologne is 16 hours and 0 minutes.
Is there a direct train from Barcelona to Cologne?
No, there are no direct train services from Barcelona to Cologne. Travelling from Barcelona to Cologne by train will require a minimum of 4 changes.
What time does the first train from Barcelona to Cologne leave?
The first train from Barcelona to Cologne leaves at 08:19. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Barcelona to Cologne leave?
The last train from Barcelona to Cologne leaves at 16:34. 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 Barcelona and Cologne by train?
Trains travelling from Barcelona to Cologne cover a distance of around 485 miles (780 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Cologne to Barcelona.
* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.