Marseille to Cologne by Train

Q: Are there direct trains from Marseille to Cologne?

No there are no direct trains running from Marseille to Cologne, you’ll usually need to make around 3 changes during the journey.

Q: What's the distance between Marseille and Cologne by train?

Trains traveling from Marseille to Cologne cover a distance of around 275 miles (442 km) during the journey. You can get there in 8 hours and 43 minutes on the fastest services.

Q: Who runs the trains from Marseille to Cologne?

Trains running from Marseille to Cologne are operated by Trenitalia, OUIGO, TGV Lyria, and Frecciarossa. Find out more about the onboard services and classes available during the journey.

Q: Can you travel from Marseille to Cologne without taking a flight?

Yes, you can travel flight-free from Marseille to Cologne. Take the train - with around 12 trains per day on this route, you can get there comfortably without leaving the ground! The fastest train takes just 8 hours and 43 minutes.

Q: What is the best way to get to Cologne from Marseille?

To get from Marseille to Cologne, we believe that it's best to take the train! Trains are convenient and comfortable, offering a great way to get to Cologne. Plus, the fastest trains can take just 8 hours and 43 minutes, leaving you with more time to explore.

Q: What time is the first train from Marseille to Cologne?

The first train from Marseille to Cologne departs around 07:36, but the time may vary by day and train operator. For exact times, check the schedule on your travel day using our Journey Planner .

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Taking the train from Marseille to Cologne in 8 hours 43 minutes

Thinking about taking the train from Marseille to Cologne? We've got you covered.

It usually takes around 13 hours 48 minutes to travel the 442 km from Marseille to Cologne by train, although you can get there in as little as 8 hours 43 minutes on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 12 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 Frecciarossa, Trenitalia or OUIGO. As the main train operators on this route, all offer comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage as standard.

Train tickets from Marseille to Cologne are usually cheaper when you book in advance compared to 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 Cologne? 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	7:36 am
Last train	8:57 pm
Departure station	Marseille
Arrival station	Cologne
Journey time	From 8h 43m
Distance	275 miles (442 km)
Frequency	12 trains per day
Changes	3 changes
Train and bus operators	BlaBlaCar Bus, Flixbus, OUIGO, SNCF Voyageurs, TGV Lyria, Treni Turistici Italiani, Trenitalia, Trenord

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

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

How do you get to Cologne from Marseille?

To travel to Cologne from Marseille, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 13 hours and 48 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 8 hours and 43 minutes. Use our Journey Planner to get more information on routes and timetables.

How long is the train ride from Marseille to Cologne?

Trains from Marseille to Cologne take an average of 13 hours and 48 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 8 hours and 43 minutes. You'll usually find 12 trains per day on this route, so use our Journey Planner to check specific dates as times may vary.

Can I get a high-speed train from Marseille to Cologne?

Yes, you can get a high-speed train from Marseille to Cologne in as little as 8 hours and 43 minutes on the fastest services. High-speed trains from OUIGO, TGV Lyria, and Frecciarossa offer a range of classes and onboard services - take a look to see what suits you best!

What is the quickest journey time between Marseille and Cologne by train?

The quickest journey time between Marseille and Cologne by train is 8 hours and 43 minutes.

Are there direct trains from Marseille to Cologne?

What's the distance between Marseille and Cologne by train?

Who runs the trains from Marseille to Cologne?

Can you travel from Marseille to Cologne without taking a flight?

What is the best way to get to Cologne from Marseille?

What time is the first train from Marseille to Cologne?

What time is the last train from Marseille to Cologne?

How often do trains go from Marseille to Cologne?

Do you need to prebook train tickets from Marseille to Cologne?

Is there a return trip from Marseille to Cologne?

Departs	Arrives	Duration
7:12 am	5:39 pm	10h 27m, 4 changes
7:12 am	6:19 pm	11h 7m, 4 changes
9:57 am	8:39 pm	10h 42m, 4 changes
11:57 am	9:48 pm	9h 51m, 4 changes
2:12 pm	4:34 am	14h 22m, 3 changes
2:56 pm	7:19 am	16h 23m, 6 changes
4:28 pm	9:19 am	16h 51m, 4 changes
4:55 pm	9:19 am	16h 24m, 5 changes
5:14 pm	9:19 am	16h 5m, 6 changes
5:14 pm	9:39 am	16h 25m, 6 changes

Search all times and prices for today

Trenitalia
OUIGO
TGV Lyria
Frecciarossa

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.

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Photo: Cramos, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0

OUIGO is the low-cost, high-speed train service operated by the French national train company SNCF. Despite having only one class on board, OUIGO trains offer the same comfort as Second Class seats on TGV trains, although OUIGO tickets are only available to purchase online. To make your journey as smooth as possible, arrive at least 30 minutes before departure and bear in mind that there's an additional fee for bringing a suitcase with you, having a seat with power sockets and travelling with a stroller/buggy.

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Photo: Chabe01, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0

TGV Lyria links France to Switzerland and can travel at a maximum speed of 200 mph (320 km/h). Resulting from the collaboration between SNCF and SBB, TGV Lyria has three comfort classes on all trains. Standard (equivalent to the Second Class TGV, with comfortable seats), Standard 1ère (with more legroom and access to the SNCF show Grand Voyageur at the Gare de Lyon in Paris) and Business 1ère (available all week except Saturday, on some lines only).

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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.

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What Frecciarossa, OUIGO, Trenord and Trenitalia Eurocity classes are there from Marseille to Cologne?

Compare the different travel classes offered by Frecciarossa, OUIGO, Trenord and Trenitalia Eurocity when traveling from Marseille to Cologne.

Frecciarossa
OUIGO
Trenord
Trenitalia Eurocity

Standard

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.

Entertainment pass
Leather seats
Free WiFi
USB ports
Dining car
In-seat meal service
More legroom
Welcome drink
Snack box
Quiet area
Conference room
Open Bar
Lounge access

Premium

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.

Entertainment pass
Leather seats
Free WiFi
USB ports
Dining car
In-seat meal service
More legroom
Welcome drink
Snack box
Quiet area
Conference room
Open Bar
Lounge access

Business

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.

Entertainment pass
Leather seats
Free WiFi
USB ports
Dining car
In-seat meal service
More legroom
Welcome drink
Snack box
Quiet area
Conference room
Open Bar
Lounge access

Executive

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).

Entertainment pass
Leather seats
Free WiFi
USB ports
Dining car
In-seat meal service
More legroom
Welcome drink
Snack box
Quiet area
Conference room
Open Bar
Lounge access

Standard Class

OUIGO comes with only one class, Standard Class, which is the equivalent of TGV's Second Class. On board you'll find WiFi and a café-bar (on services in Spain). There may be a trolley service on Train Classique services in France. You can pay extra to guarantee a seat with a power outlet, as not all seats currently have one.

Fold-down table
Baggage storage
Dining car (1)
In-seat meal service (2)
WiFi (3)
Power outlets

(1) Available on OUIGO Spain services only
(2) Snack service available on some OUIGO Classique trains
(3) WiFi available for a fee on services in France; may be free in Spain

Second Class

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.

Baggage storage
Power outlets

First Class

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.

Baggage storage
Power outlets

Second Class

From spacious armchairs to power outlets and reading lights, you’ve got everything you need to enjoy your journey in EuroCity's Second Class.

Seat reservation
Power outlets
Hanger
Reading light
Baggage storage
Free WiFi
Dining car
More legroom

First Class

Start your journey by train and continue by bus to reach your destination. Enjoy some of the most beautiful Italian views on modern and comfortable buses.

Seat reservation
Power outlets
Hanger
Reading light
Baggage storage
Free WiFi
Dining car
More legroom

What are the onboard services on Frecciarossa, OUIGO, Trenord and Trenitalia Eurocity?

Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Marseille to Cologne.

Frecciarossa
OUIGO
Trenord
Trenitalia Eurocity

What baggage limits are there?	You can take your bags on board Frecciarossa trains free of charge. In most cases, there are no baggage size limits. You’ll need to make sure that your baggage is compatible with the space available on board.
What food and drink is available?	You can go to the FrecciaBistrò café-bar counter located in the middle part of the train to get snacks, main courses, and drinks. You can also order your favorite meal from the comfort of your seat – go to the entertainment portal called FRECCIAPlay and use the EasyBistrò service or ask a member of staff. If you travel in Premium Class, you’ll get a total of 4 food / beverage products is offered on board, including: sweet or savoury snack, welcome drink, small water bottle, 1 wet wipe. Travelers in Business Class receive a food box containing 7 fresh food & beverage products differentiated according to the time of day, plus Illy expresso coffee. If you travel in Executive Class, you’ll get unlimited drinks plus food from a rotating monthly menu where some meals were ideated by the renowned Michelin star chef Carlo Cracco.
What onboard entertainment is available?	You’ll find free WiFi on all Frecciarossa trains. Connect to their entertainment portal called FRECCIAPlay and choose from a wide selection of movies, TV series, live news, eBooks, games, music, and podcasts. You can also use the FRECCIAPlay portal to get the latest updates on your journey, as well as book other services that will help you reach your destination.
What facilities are there for travel with children?	Kids under 4 can travel for free if a seat is not assigned to them. If they do have a seat, they can get 50% off Base tickets (Frecciarossa’s standard fare). Children aged 4-14 also get 50% off. Bimbi Gratis offer: You can also get free travel for kids under 15 plus 40% off Base tickets for adults, if you’re traveling in a family group of 2 to 5 people (including at least one adult and one child).
Can I bring a bike on board?	You can travel with your bike for free on all Frecciarossa trains provided it’s not larger than 80 x 110 x 45cm (31.4 x 43.3 x 17.7 inches). Your bike must be disassembled or folded and stored in a bag in one of the dedicated luggage racks.
Can I bring pets on board?	Dogs, cats and other small pets can travel for free in a carrier with maximum dimensions of 70x30x50 cm (maximum one per passenger). Bigger dogs can travel for only 5 € from Sunday to Friday, and for as little as 1 € on Saturday. Guide and assistance dogs are allowed on all trains at no additional cost.
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?	One piece of hand baggage (36 x 27 x 15 cm) and one piece of cabin baggage (55 x 35 x 25 cm) can be taken onboard. You can take additional or larger bags with you (max. 30kg) for an extra fee or by paying for OUIGO Plus.
What food and drink is available?	On OUIGO trains in France: an at-seat service of snacks is available on Train classique services. This service is not available on high-speed OUIGO trains. On OUIGO trains in Spain: OUIBAR is located in car 4 of each train and offers a selection of hot and cold drinks, plus snacks.
What onboard entertainment is available?	WiFi (OUIFI) and an entertainment portal (OUIFUN) are available at an additional cost.
What facilities are there for travel with children?	For OUIGO trains in France: Passengers under 12 years old pay a fixed price for tickets all year round - €5 for journeys on Train classique services, and €8 for high speed services. For OUIGO trains in Spain: Passengers under 12 pay €5 for all journeys.
Can I bring a bike on board?	You can take your bicycle on board OUIGO trains if you add the 'Bike' option onto your ticket for an additional fee of at least €5. Your bike must be folded or dismantled and placed in a storage bag for transport.
Can I bring pets on board?	Pets are only allowed on board OUIGO trains if the 'Pets' option is added to your ticket at the time of booking. (1 pet per adult, per booking, €10 per pet.)
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?	You can take your bags on board Trenord trains free of charge, provided their dimensions do not exceed 80 x 110 x 40cm (31.4 x 43.3 x 15.7 inches). You’ll need to make sure that your baggage is compatible with the space available on board.
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?	Each passenger can take only one bike onboard Trenord trains. Folding bikes and scooters that do not exceed the maximum dimensions of 80 x 120 x 45cm (31.4 x 47.2 x 17.7 inches) are allowed on board free of charge. If you can’t fold your bike, you may be able to take it onboard some Trenord trains. However, you’ll need to buy a ticket both for you and for your bike. Please note that the last cars of some trains are only reserved for bikes of those working in the food delivery sector.
Can I bring pets on board?	Small pets can travel on all Trenord trains free of charge, if they’re placed in a carrier of max dimensions of 70 x 30 x 50cm (27.5 x 11.8 x 19.6 inches). Bigger dogs are allowed on all trains if they have a ticket for unlimited travel for the whole day you’re traveling. They need to be kept on a leash and equipped with a muzzle. Guide and assistance dogs are allowed on all trains at no additional cost. Pets are not allowed on board on weekdays from 7 am to 9.30 am and from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm.
What special assistance is available?	Passengers with disabilities can: Request, through the Lombardy Region, the IVOL regional card, which allows them to travel at a discounted price Buy the ticket on board without going through control checks Access the train with CartaBlu (free card for disabled passengers that live in Italy) 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.

What baggage limits are there?	You can take your bags on board Trenitalia's Eurocity trains free of charge. In most cases, there are no baggage size limits – you can even travel with musical instruments and sports equipment. You’ll just need to make sure that your baggage is compatible with the space available on board.
What food and drink is available?	You’ll find a Bar-Bistrò on Eurocity trains that are travelling between Italy, Switzerland and Germany. A minibar trolley service is also available – you can choose from a wide range of snacks and drinks.
What onboard entertainment is available?	Free WiFi is available on Eurocity Giruno trains.
What facilities are there for travel with children?	Kids under 4 can travel for free if they're accompanied by an adult and don't occupy a seat.
Can I bring a bike on board?	Not all Eurocity trains allow you to take your bike on board – you’ll need to check in advance if you can travel with your bike. If that’s the case, you’ll need to buy a ticket and book your bike space before departure at the ticket office.
Can I bring pets on board?	Guide and assistance dogs can travel for free and don't need a ticket.
What special assistance is available?	All of Trenitalia’s Eurocity trains offer dedicated spaces to passengers with disabilities.
What else do I need to know?	A quiet area (or Area Silenzio) is available on all Eurocity Giruno trains.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Marseille 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 Marseille 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 Marseille to Cologne

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Taking the train from Marseille to Cologne in 8 hours 43 minutes