Cologne to Madrid by Train

Q: How close is Cologne to Madrid by train?

Cologne and Madrid are around 775 miles (1247 km) apart. The fastest trains can cover this distance in approximately 22 hours and 59 minutes.

Q: Is it possible to get from Cologne to Madrid without flying?

Yes, traveling from Cologne to Madrid without flying is possible. With around 8 trains running each day, you'll be there in no time - the fastest ones will get you to Madrid in 22 hours and 59 minutes! Check our Journey Planner for more details.

Q: What is the best way to travel from Cologne to Madrid?

To travel from Cologne to Madrid, we think the best way is to take the train! They're comfortable and train journeys on this route take around 25 hours and 52 minutes, with the fastest trains taking 22 hours and 59 minutes - take a look at our Journey Planner for more information.

Q: What time does the first train from Cologne to Madrid leave?

The first train from Cologne to Madrid leaves at 00:20. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays. Use our Journey Planner to check the schedule on your day of travel.

Q: What time does the last train from Cologne to Madrid leave?

The last train from Cologne to Madrid leaves at 22:49. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services. Times and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

Q: How often are trains from Cologne and Madrid?

Trains from Cologne to Madrid run frequently throughout the day, with around 8 trains available daily. Use our Journey Planner to check the full schedule.

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Travel from Cologne to Madrid by train in 22 hours 59 minutes

If you want to know more about the journey from Cologne to Madrid by train, look no further!

The average journey time from Cologne to Madrid by train is 25 hours 52 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 22 hours 59 minutes. You'll usually find 8 trains per day traveling the 1247 km between these two destinations. You'll need to make 4 changes along the way as there are no direct services to Madrid.

Book train tickets from Cologne to Madrid in advance instead of buying them on the day and you'll snap up the cheapest fares. You can check prices from Cologne to Madrid 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.

First train	12:20 am
Last train	10:49 pm
Departure station	Cologne
Arrival station	Madrid
Journey time	From 22h 59m
Distance	775 miles (1247 km)
Frequency	8 trains per day
Changes	4 changes

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Cologne to Madrid?

Want to know more about your journey from Cologne to Madrid? 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 to Madrid?

You can get from Cologne to Madrid in 25 hours and 52 minutes on average, with the fastest trains taking just 22 hours and 59 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details on times, tickets and prices.

How long does the train from Cologne to Madrid take?

The average journey time by train between Cologne and Madrid is 25 hours and 52 minutes, with around 8 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.

What's the fastest journey time between Cologne and Madrid by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Cologne to Madrid is 22 hours and 59 minutes.

Can you take a train directly from Cologne to Madrid?

No, there are no direct train services from Cologne to Madrid. Travelling from Cologne to Madrid by train will require a minimum of 4 changes.

How close is Cologne to Madrid by train?

Is it possible to get from Cologne to Madrid without flying?

What is the best way to travel from Cologne to Madrid?

What time does the first train from Cologne to Madrid leave?

What time does the last train from Cologne to Madrid leave?

How often are trains from Cologne and Madrid?

Do you need to book the train from Cologne to Madrid in advance?

Can you buy return train tickets from Cologne to Madrid?

Departs	Arrives	Duration
11:20 pm	10:19 pm	22h 59m, 6 changes
12:40 pm	2:52 pm	26h 12m, 4 changes
3:40 pm	4:32 pm	24h 52m, 5 changes
4:40 pm	8:02 pm	27h 22m, 9 changes
4:40 pm	8:52 pm	28h 12m, 8 changes
6:00 pm	8:02 pm	26h 2m, 10 changes
6:00 pm	8:52 pm	26h 52m, 9 changes
9:49 pm	10:19 pm	24h 30m, 4 changes

Search all times and prices for today

How do I find cheap train tickets from Cologne to Madrid?

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 to Madrid starts at ^§ 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.

Trains from Cologne to Madrid

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Travel from Cologne to Madrid by train in 22 hours 59 minutes