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If you want to travel from Cologne to Linz by train, you've come to the right place.
You can expect the journey from Cologne to Linz by train to take around 10 hours 33 minutes. If you want to get there as quickly as possible, it can take as little as 8 hours 35 minutes on the fastest services. You'll usually find around 12 trains per day running on this route, which spans 448 km. You'll have to make 2 changes along the way on your journey to Linz. Both ÖBB and WESTbahn trains operate on this route, offering modern comfortable services with plenty of room for luggage as standard.
Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to search for cheap ticket prices – we'll show you how much you can save on train tickets from Cologne to Linz if you book in advance.
If you want to know more about the journey, keep reading for train schedules, tips on finding cheap tickets and FAQs, including first and last train times. Want to go straight to booking? Start a search with us today!
Italo is a high-speed train operator that runs services between many of the major cities across Italy. All Italo trains are modern, air conditioned, and have free WiFi available for all travellers. There are four comfort classes, or "ambiances", as Italo like to call them – Smart (the cheapest price), Comfort (with wider seats and extra legroom), Prima (with a welcome selection of food and drink, fast track boarding and extra space), and Executive Club (with all Prima services, extra-wide seats, access to Italo Club lounges and personal entertainment screens at your seat).
ÖBB is the major railway company for Austria, subdivided into several subsidiaries, responsible for certain areas of transport, such as long distance and local transport, the operation of postal buses and the transport of goods. Railjet is ÖBB's high-speed train, which travels at speeds of up to 143 mph (230 km/h) and connects the main Austrian cities with Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Italy.
WESTbahn is Austria's first private long-distance rail company with trains running from Vienna to Salzburg via St. Pölten, Amstetten, Linz, Wels and Attnang-Puchheim. This route is one of the most important in Austria, covering a distance of around 155 miles (250 km) and a duration of about 2h 30m. The company offers many discounted fares, allows travel with pets and bicycles and has no baggage restrictions.
Although Smart is Italo’s standard and cheapest class, you won’t miss out on the fantastic service! This class provides you with the following amenities:
In addition to all the perks of Italo Smart, Italo Prima also provides a little extra, such as a dedicated Fast Track service and a welcome service.
If you want to travel in style, upgrade to Italo Club Executive and enjoy dedicated catering service, personal screens, and free access to Italo Club Lounge.
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.
Westbahn's Standard Class offers comfort at a great price. Enjoy free WiFi and a dining car with plenty of snacks and drinks.
Enjoy comfortable leather seats and plenty of baggage storage in Comfort Class. Hungry? Take advantage of the catering trolley with a large offering of snacks and drinks.
Why not upgrade to Westbahn's First Class? Take advantage of more legroom and delicious food served at your seat.
While there’s no bar or restaurant car on Italo trains, you can use the vending machines on board to get snacks and drinks during your journey.
Priority seats for passengers with reduced mobility are available on Italo trains. They’re usually located next to an accessible toilet. All accessible toilets also have tactile and Braille signs.
Air-conditioning is available on all Italo trains, as well as power outlets at every seat.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In general, there is no limit to your baggage on WESTbahn trains. However, a member of staff is authorized to charge a €5 supplement for bulky baggage or starting from a third piece of luggage.
On WESTbahn trains, you'll find a luggage rack in the lower deck of each car, so that you can secure your suitcase or bag with a metal band. You can unlock the corresponding lock by using a €1 coin which will be returned to you at the end of your journey.
All WESTbahn trains have a bar car (WESTcafé) where you can buy hot and cold drinks, snacks, salads, and sandwiches. You can then eat or drink in the bar car or take your drink or snack back to your seat. Alternatively, you can buy snacks or drinks from the self-service vending machines available on board.
If you’re traveling in WESTbahn’s First Class, an in-seat meal service is available, meaning that your meal of choice will be served straight to your seat.
WESTbahn do not offer an entertainment portal on board. However, they do have free WiFi - simply log into WESTlan and use the internet throughout your journey.
Kids under the age of 6 travel for free and don’t need a ticket. Children aged 6-14 years pay €2 if they're with a family member or get a half-price ticket if they're traveling alone.
If your bike can’t be folded, you’ll need to pay a supplement of €4.90, €6.90 or €9.90 to take your bike on your WESTbahn train, depending on your chosen route. If you don’t book your bike space online prior to departure, you’ll need to pay an additional fee of €5.10.
Please note that trains with high passenger demand don’t always allow space for bikes and bike reservations are excluded from specific train services. Folding bikes and e-scooters can be stored free of charge.
Small pets can travel on all WESTBahn trains free of charge, provided they’re in a carrier or cage. You’ll need to pay €2 for pets that are kept on a leash or are equipped with a muzzle.
WESTbahn staff can refuse entry to any dangerous pets without a leash and muzzle. Pets and pet carriers must not occupy seats, otherwise a full-priced ticket will be charged. Registered guide and assistance dogs are excluded from this regulation.
WESTbahn trains have step-free access. If you travel with a wheelchair or a stroller, we recommend using car 400 in the middle of the train. This car is designed for the needs of people with reduced mobility – it offers a wider aisle than the other cars, two bookable wheelchair spaces, and access to a PRM toilet with baby-changing facilities.
Please note that WESTbahn’s wheelchair spaces cannot be reserved for strollers.
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 Cologne to Linz by booking early.§
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.
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!
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.
The average journey time by train between Cologne and Linz is 10 hours and 33 minutes, with around 12 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.
The fastest journey time by train from Cologne to Linz is 8 hours and 35 minutes.
No, there are no direct train services from Cologne to Linz. Travelling from Cologne to Linz by train will require a minimum of 2 changes.
The first train from Cologne to Linz leaves at 00:20. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
The last train from Cologne to Linz leaves at 22:40. 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.
Trains travelling from Cologne to Linz cover a distance of around 278 miles (448 km) during the journey.
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Linz to Cologne.