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Thinking about taking the train from Cologne to Barcelona? We've got you covered.
It usually takes around 22 hours 52 minutes to travel the 780 km from Cologne to Barcelona by train, although you can get there in as little as 19 hours 13 minutes on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 8 trains per day running on this route. You'll need to make 3 changes along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line. You can travel on this route with either TGV, AVE or Frecciarossa. As the main train operators on this route, all offer comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage as standard.
Train tickets from Cologne to Barcelona start from $165.59 when you book in advance, which can be cheaper than 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 Barcelona? 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.
First train | 12:20 am | |
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Last train | 7:00 pm | |
Departure station | Cologne | |
Arrival station | Barcelona | |
Journey time | From 19h 13m | |
Distance | 485 miles (780 km) | |
Frequency | 8 trains per day | |
Changes | 3 changes | |
Price | From $165.59 | |
Train and bus operators | SNCF Voyageurs, BlaBlaCar Bus, Trenitalia, Renfe, Trenord, ALSA, SNCF |
Frecciarossa trains are Trenitalia's flagship high-speed trains capable of reaching speeds of up to 186 mph (300 km/h). The "red arrow" trains are distinguished by their comfort, their ultra-modern design and their reduced impact on the environment. All Frecciarossa trains are equipped with a food carriage, a free WiFi connection and four levels of service – Standard, Premium (with drinks and snacks served on arrival), Business (with drinks and snacks plus larger seats) and Executive (with Fast Track, access to FrecciaClub lounges in train selected stations, and gourmet meals served to your seat). From December 2021, you can also travel with Frecciarossa from Milan to Paris via Turin, Modane and Chambéry. The trains are operated by Trenitalia France and have 4 levels of service - Standard, Business, Executive and Meeting Room - and two types of carriages: Silence Area, for those who want to travel in total tranquillity, and Allegro Area, for those who want to chat with their fellow passengers.
Trenitalia is the national railway company of Italy, with a fleet including high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca), Intercity and Intercity night trains and regional trains. Trenitalia offers discounts and special promotions on selected routes, two types of discounted tickets for young people under 30 and people over 60.
Renfe is the national train operator in Spain. It operates trains on the longest high-speed railway network in Europe, and the second-longest in the world. The country's major cities are linked up by the high-speed AVE and Avlo trains, while other long-distance routes are served by Altaria, Talgo, Alvia and Euromed trains. Renfe also operates cross-border services into neighbouring Portugal and France. Depending on which service you are travelling on, you'll usually find two classes on Renfe trains - Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class). Fare types range from the cheapest (but least flexible) Básico fare, to the more flexible Elige fares, to the Premium fare for seats in Confort carriages.
SNCF is the national train operator of France. It operates all domestic trains and routes across France, as well as international services to Spain and Germany. There are three different types of domestic trains that operate under the SNCF banner – TGV (high-speed, full-service trains that connect the major cities in France), Intercités (usually a more frequent stopping service, but with all the amenities), and TER (regional train services with basic onboard facilities).
In Second Class, TGV INOUI allows you to travel comfortably while enjoying the onboard services, such as free WiFi, power outlets and more.
Prefer to travel in style? Upgrade to First Class and you’ll enjoy all the benefits of Second Class as well as some additional extras.
With Frecciarossa Standard, you’ll enjoy high-quality services including eco-leather reclining seats, folding tables and free WiFi at a reasonable price. You can order food and drink from the FRECCIABistrò car or using the Easy Bistrò at-seat meal service.
Providing all the perks of First Class for the price of Second Class, Frecciarossa Premium offers more legroom and baggage space, as well as a total of 4 food / beverage products including: sweet or savory snack, welcome drink, small water bottle, 1 wet wipe.
If you’re traveling for work, Frecciarossa Business is the ideal option for you – it offers more legroom, glass dividers for more privacy, and a private 4-seat compartment called Salottino. A free food box containing 7 fresh food & beverage products differentiated according to the time of day + Illy expresso coffee is also included.
Frecciarossa Executive can accommodate up to 10 single armchairs and offers plenty of legroom, wider reclining leather seats, free entry to FRECCIALounge at the main train stations, unlimited drinks, and monthly menus (some of which were ideated by Michelin star chef Carlo Cracco).
In AVE's Estándar Class, you'll enjoy comfortable fuss-free travel. With baggage storage and air-conditioning throughout, there's access to their dining car serving drinks and snacks and seats are usually in a row of 2 or 4 around a table. On board, you'll enjoy:
Onboard AVE's Confort Class, you’ll enjoy all the amenities of Estándar Class as well as extra perks, such as complimentary food and drinks, free newspapers and more. Don't forget to enjoy access to Renfe's Club Rooms before your trip to kick it off in style. On board, you'll enjoy:
Explore Lombardy and its neighbouring regions at an affordable price. You don't need to reserve a seat - just sit back and enjoy the views around you.
You can travel in Trenord's First Class only if you have a First Class ticket. Store your bags in the dedicated baggage racks, sit back and enjoy your journey.
What baggage limits are there? | On board TGV INOUI trains, you can take up to 2 pieces of luggage measuring no more than 70 x 90 x 50 cm (27.5 x 35.4 x 19.6 inches), plus one hand luggage measuring no more than 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches). If you are bringing an XL baggage (maximum 90 x 130 cm or 35.4 x 51.1 inches), it will replace one of the two 70 x 90 x 50 cm (27.5 x 35.4 x 19.6 inches) pieces of luggage authorised. All your luggage must be labelled before entering the train. |
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What food and drink is available? | All TGV INOUI trains are equipped with a café-bar car offering a range of food and drink to suit you at any time of day. The Bar is always situated in car 4 or 14 of the train. There's a range of local and responsibly sourced products on offer. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | TGV INOUI trains have free WiFi on board for you to use throughout your journey, allowing you to stay connected, reply to emails or even relax and enjoy what's offered on the TGV INOUI entertainment portal. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | Children under 12 can get a half price ticket on TGV INOUI trains. Children under 4 travel free when they travel on your lap. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | If you've got a foldable bicycle, you can take it on the train as hand baggage, so long as it's no larger than 130 x 90 cm once folded. Or, if you can dismantle your bike, you can transport it in a cover or case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. You can still travel with a bike that cannot be folded or dismantled - you'll need to reserve a bike space on the train when you buy your ticket. Bike tickets cost €10 per bike, per journey. |
Can I bring pets on board? | Small pets are allowed on board TGV INOUI trains provided they weigh less than 10kg. They must travel in a carrier no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Tickets for small pets cost €7. Larger dogs can also travel on TGV INOUI services, provided they are wearing a muzzle and are kept on a leash. Tickets for larger dogs cost €20. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge on all SNCF trains. |
What special assistance is available? | For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart). |
What baggage limits are there? |
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What food and drink is available? |
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What onboard entertainment is available? |
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What facilities are there for travel with children? |
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Can I bring a bike on board? |
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Can I bring pets on board? |
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What special assistance is available? | If you need to request special assistance, you can call the toll-free number 800 90 60 60, which can be reached from a landline in Italy, or the national number +3902323232, which can be reached from a landline or mobile, even from abroad (international calling charges may apply). |
What else do I need to know? | Air-conditioning is available on board. You can also charge your devices thanks to the power outlets you can find at your seat. |
What baggage limits are there? | With AVE, you can travel with up to 3 pieces of baggage that do not exceed 290cm (114.1 inches) and 25kg (55.1 pounds). In total, the maximum measurements of each piece of baggage are 85 x 55 x 35cm (33.4 x 21.6 x 13.7 inches). Musical instruments also count as hand baggage as long as they do not exceed the dimensions 30 x 120 x 38cm (11.8 x 47.2 x 14.9 inches) and are stored in a case. |
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What food and drink is available? | If you’d like to stretch your legs and grab a coffee during your journey, AVE trains have an onboard dining car. If you’d prefer to stay in your seat, AVE staff will pass through each car with a food and drink cart. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | On AVE trains, you can take advantage of PlayRenfe – their free WiFi and entertainment pass. Giving you access to exclusive content and fast connection speeds, PlayRenfe can be downloaded from the app store on your phone. Once you’re connected, you can access the PlayRenfe portal, where you’ll find exclusive live sport, news, films and TV series. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | Children under 3 years old travel for free with AVE, as long as they do not occupy a seat and have their free child ticket. Children from 3 to 14 years old can take advantage of a 40% discount on ticket prices. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | On all AVE trains, each passenger can take one bicycle or scooter on board, as long as it’s folded and carried inside a case. Also, the pedals must be removed and handlebars turned 90 degrees. Lastly, if the sum of the dimensions of the case is less than 180cm (70.8 inches), it's considered as hand luggage. However, if it’s bigger, it will be considered as special luggage (max dimensions 120 x 90 x 40 cm or 47.2 x 35.4 x 15.7 inches). |
Can I bring pets on board? | With AVE, you can travel with a pet as long as it weighs no more than 10 kg (22 pounds) and travels inside a cage or carrier that measures max 60 x 35 x 35 cm (23 x 13 x 13 inches). Your pet must have their own pet ticket, unless you’re traveling with a Premium ticket, in which case the pet ticket is free. Guide and assistance dogs travel for free. |
What special assistance is available? | AVE offer a free assistance and care service for people with reduced mobility. To request the service, passengers should contact AVE directly. |
What baggage limits are there? |
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What food and drink is available? | At the moment, a restaurant service is not available on Trenord trains. However, you can take your own food on board so pick up some snacks at the station before you set off. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | Trenord do not offer an entertainment portal on board. However, you can make use of your internet data, as well as charge your devices thanks to the power outlets that are available at your seat. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | Kids under 4 travel for free on all Trenord trains if they don’t occupy a seat and sit on an adult’s lap. Children aged 4-13 get 50% off the standard fare. |
Can I bring a bike on board? |
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Can I bring pets on board? |
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What special assistance is available? | Passengers with disabilities can:
To request special assistance, passengers will need to call the toll-free number 800210955 (active every day from 8.15 am to 7:45 pm) at least 48 hours before departure. |
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.