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Trains from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest

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    3. Cologne (Germany) to Budapest

    Travel from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest by train in 4 hours 55 minutes

    If you want to know more about the journey from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest by train, look no further!

    The average journey time from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest by train is 12 hours 6 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 4 hours 55 minutes. You'll usually find 26 trains per day traveling the 955 km between these two destinations. Direct trains are usually available every day on the route to Budapest.

    Book train tickets from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest in advance instead of buying them on the day and they can start from $66.89. 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 train schedule where you can view first and last train times, as well as tips on how to find cheap train tickets.

    Cologne (Germany) to Budapest by train

    It takes an average of 12h 6m to travel from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest by train, over a distance of around 593 miles (955 km). There are normally 26 trains per day traveling from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest and tickets for this journey start from $66.89 when you book in advance.

    First train

    12:01 am

    Last train

    11:11 pm

    Departure station

    Cologne (Germany)

    Arrival station

    Budapest

    Journey time

    From 4h 55m

    Distance

    593 miles (955 km)

    Frequency

    26 trains per day

    Changes

    Direct trains available

    Price

    From $66.89

    Train and bus operators

    Flixbus

    What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest?

    Want to know more about your journey from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

    How do I travel from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest?

    You can get from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest in 12 hours and 6 minutes on average, with the fastest trains taking just 4 hours and 55 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details on times, tickets and prices.

    How long does the train from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest take?

    The average journey time by train between Cologne (Germany) and Budapest is 12 hours and 6 minutes, with around 26 trains per day running on this route. 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.

    How much does the train from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest cost?

    Train tickets from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest can start from as little as $66.89 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book.

    What's the fastest journey time between Cologne (Germany) and Budapest by train?

    The fastest journey time by train from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest is 4 hours and 55 minutes.

    What are the train times from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest?

    Check out the next trains departing from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest for Tuesday Jan 27th 2026. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
    DepartsArrivesDuration
    8:22 am8:33 pm12h 11m, 1 change
    9:19 am6:58 pm9h 39m, 1 change
    11:19 am8:33 pm9h 14m, 1 change
    12:33 pm8:02 pm7h 29m, 1 change
    3:07 pm8:02 pm4h 55m, direct
    10:54 am11:02 pm12h 8m, 1 change
    1:19 pm11:02 pm9h 43m, 1 change
    1:44 pm6:59 am17h 15m, 2 changes
    1:44 pm7:29 am17h 45m, 2 changes
    3:19 pm7:02 am15h 43m, 3 changes

    How do I find cheap train tickets from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest?

    If you’re planning a trip to Europe soon, our Trainline team of experts have put together some tips to help you find cheap tickets. Booking on the day in Europe is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or travel class.

    1. Book in advance

    The price of train tickets from Cologne (Germany) to Budapest starts at $66.89§ one-way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. Most train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months ahead of time, so if you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find cheaper tickets.

    2. Be flexible with your travel times

    If you can, consider traveling outside of 'peak hours' (generally between 06:00 - 10:00 and 15:00 - 19:00 on weekdays) as lots of trains companies increase their ticket prices during these commuter times.

    3. Buy a rail pass

    If you're visiting multiple locations on your trip, buying a rail pass can be cheaper than buying individual tickets. We're official retailers of Eurail Passes that are valid for travel in one country or multiple countries across Europe.

    4. Choose a slower or connecting train

    On some busier routes, you might have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have some extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare.

    5. Look out for train ticket sales and deals

    Many train companies in Europe will often run sales and offers on tickets throughout the year, so keep an eye out!

    For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.

    §Some train companies may not offer any Advance ticket types or cheaper deals for early bookings. On rare occasions, train companies may choose to release special offers closer to the date on last-minute or late-release tickets. This is dependent on the individual train operating company you travel with.

    * Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.

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