Dresden to Cologne by Train

Q: How close is Dresden to Cologne by train?

Dresden and Cologne are around 416 miles (669 km) apart. The fastest trains can cover this distance in approximately 13 hours and 9 minutes.

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

Yes, traveling from Dresden to Cologne without flying is possible. With around 20 trains running each day, you'll be there in no time - the fastest ones will get you to Cologne in 13 hours and 9 minutes! Check our Journey Planner for more details.

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

To travel from Dresden to Cologne, we think the best way is to take the train! They're comfortable and train journeys on this route take around 17 hours and 6 minutes, with the fastest trains taking 13 hours and 9 minutes - take a look at our Journey Planner for more information.

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

The first train from Dresden to Cologne leaves at 05:09. 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 Dresden to Cologne leave?

The last train from Dresden to Cologne leaves at 23:15. 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 Dresden and Cologne?

Trains from Dresden to Cologne run frequently throughout the day, with around 20 trains available daily. Use our Journey Planner to check the full schedule.

Referrals Business

My Bookings

is Europe’s Nº 1 destination for train and bus tickets*

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.

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.

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.

Most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe

Visit UNESCO's Great Spa Towns of Europe by train

The top destinations in Europe you absolutely must visit by train

Discover all the places you can go with our Travel Journal

What customers say about Trainline

Read real reviews from real users

Travel from Dresden to Cologne by train in 13 hours 9 minutes

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

The average journey time from Dresden to Cologne by train is 17 hours 6 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 13 hours 9 minutes. You'll usually find 20 trains per day traveling the 669 km between these two destinations. You'll need to make 3 changes along the way as there are no direct services to Cologne.

Book train tickets from Dresden to Cologne in advance instead of buying them on the day and you'll snap up the cheapest fares. You can check prices from Dresden to Cologne 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	5:09 am
Last train	11:15 pm
Departure station	Dresden
Arrival station	Cologne
Journey time	From 13h 9m
Distance	416 miles (669 km)
Frequency	20 trains per day
Changes	3 changes

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

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

How do I travel from Dresden to Cologne?

You can get from Dresden to Cologne in 17 hours and 6 minutes on average, with the fastest trains taking just 13 hours and 9 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details on times, tickets and prices.

How long does the train from Dresden to Cologne take?

The average journey time by train between Dresden and Cologne is 17 hours and 6 minutes, with around 20 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 Dresden and Cologne by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Dresden to Cologne is 13 hours and 9 minutes.

Can you take a train directly from Dresden to Cologne?

No, there are no direct train services from Dresden to Cologne. Travelling from Dresden to Cologne by train will require a minimum of 3 changes.

How close is Dresden to Cologne by train?

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

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

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

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

How often are trains from Dresden and Cologne?

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

Can you buy return train tickets from Dresden to Cologne?

Departs	Arrives	Duration
9:10 am	4:34 am	19h 24m, 5 changes
1:10 pm	6:19 am	17h 9m, 3 changes
5:10 pm	9:59 am	16h 49m, 6 changes
5:10 pm	11:19 am	18h 9m, 5 changes
8:02 pm	11:39 am	15h 37m, 5 changes
8:15 pm	12:39 pm	16h 24m, 5 changes
8:15 pm	1:19 pm	17h 4m, 4 changes
9:10 pm	3:19 pm	18h 9m, 7 changes
9:10 pm	4:19 pm	19h 9m, 4 changes
9:15 pm	3:19 pm	18h 4m, 10 changes

Search all times and prices for today

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

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 Dresden to Cologne 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 Dresden to Cologne

TrainlineTrainline is Europe’s Nº 1 destination for train and bus tickets*

Official distributor

Search. Book. Travel.

Say hello to Your Account

Search. Book. Travel.

No more fumbling in your pockets

Search. Book. Travel.

Looking for a cheap price?

Search. Book. Travel.

Say hello to Your Account

Search. Book. Travel.

No more fumbling in your pockets

Search. Book. Travel.

Looking for a cheap price?

Search. Book. Travel.

Say hello to Your Account

Search. Book. Travel.

No more fumbling in your pockets

Search. Book. Travel.

Looking for a cheap price?

What customers say about Trainline

Travel from Dresden to Cologne by train in 13 hours 9 minutes