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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

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Taking the train from Köln Hbf to Leuven in 2 hours 42 minutes

Thinking about taking the train from Köln Hbf to Leuven? We’ve got you covered.

It usually takes around 3 hours 39 minutes to travel the 98 miles (158 km) from Köln Hbf to Leuven by train, although you can get there in as little as 2 hours 42 minutes on the fastest services. You’ll normally find around 19 trains per day running on this route. You’ll need to make 1 change along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line.

Train tickets from Köln Hbf to Leuven start from £29.89 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 Leuven? 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 timetable below, tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs, including first and last train times.

Köln Hbf to Leuven by train

It takes an average of 3h 39m to travel from Köln Hbf to Leuven by train, over a distance of around 98 miles (158 km). There are normally 19 trains per day travelling from Köln Hbf to Leuven and tickets for this journey start from £29.89 when you book in advance.

First train

04:34

Last train

22:44

Departure station

Köln Hbf

Arrival station

Leuven

Journey time

From 2h 42m

Distance

98 miles (158 km)

Frequency

19 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From £29.89

Train and bus operators

BlaBlaCar Bus

FAQs about the train journey from Köln Hbf to Leuven

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

How do I travel from Köln Hbf to Leuven?

You can get from Köln Hbf to Leuven by train in 3 hours and 39 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 2 hours and 42 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from Köln Hbf to Leuven take?

The average journey time by train between Köln Hbf and Leuven is 3 hours and 39 minutes, with around 19 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.

How much does the train from Köln Hbf to Leuven cost?

Train tickets from Köln Hbf to Leuven can start from as little as £29.89 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book.

What's the fastest journey time between Köln Hbf and Leuven by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Köln Hbf to Leuven is 2 hours and 42 minutes.

Köln Hbf to Leuven train times

Check out the next trains departing from Köln Hbf to Leuven for Tuesday 6th May 2025. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
DepartsArrivesDuration
07:4310:322h 49m, 1 change
09:4812:322h 44m, 1 change
10:0713:323h 25m, 2 changes
10:3313:322h 59m, 3 changes
10:3413:322h 58m, 4 changes
11:4314:322h 49m, 1 change
13:4916:322h 43m, 1 change
14:3317:322h 59m, 3 changes
14:3417:322h 58m, 4 changes
15:5018:322h 42m, 1 change

Cheap train tickets from Köln Hbf to Leuven

The price of train tickets from Köln Hbf to Leuven starts at £29.89 one-way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. Booking on the day is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or class.

Book in advance

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 Köln Hbf to Leuven by booking early.§

Be flexible with your travel times

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.

Choose a slower or connecting train

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!

Look out for special deals

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.

§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.

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