Book a Japan autumn by train – browse the full suite of Japan Rail Passes, here.

RailcardsBusiness

No tickets in your basket.

Why not plan a trip?

My Bookings
Loading...
Loading...
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

Compare prices from over 270 rail and coach companies in Europe

Icon of trainline-phone-tickets.svg

Buy your tickets with us and easily find them on your phone

Icon of trainline-safe-payments.svg

Safely pay with PayPal, Visa and all international payment cards

What customers say about Trainline

Read real reviews from real users

How to travel from Cologne (Germany) to Zele by train

Want to find out more about taking the train from Cologne (Germany) to Zele? Look no further.

There are around 17 trains per day running between Cologne (Germany) and Zele, which usually take 4 hours 52 minutes to complete the 127 miles (205 km) journey. It can take as little as 3 hours 5 minutes on the fastest services though, if you want to get there as quickly as possible. Although there aren't any direct services on this line, it's still easy to travel to Zele from Cologne (Germany), you'll just need to make 2 changes along the way.

You can save money on train tickets from Cologne (Germany) to Zele if you book in advance. Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to compare ticket prices and get the cheapest fares.

Want to book your train tickets now? Just start a search with us today. If you want to find out more about the journey, read on for timetables (including first and last train times), FAQs and tips on how to book cheap train tickets.

Trains to Zele from Cologne (Germany)

First train

04:03

Last train

23:20

Departure stationCologne (Germany)
Arrival stationZele
Journey time

From 3h 5m

Distance

127 miles (205 km)

Frequency

17 trains per day

Changes

2 changes

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Cologne (Germany) to Zele?

Want to know more about your journey from Cologne (Germany) to Zele? 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 (Germany) to Zele?

You can get from Cologne (Germany) to Zele by train in 4 hours and 52 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 3 hours and 5 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from Cologne (Germany) to Zele take?

The average journey time by train between Cologne (Germany) and Zele is 4 hours and 52 minutes, with around 17 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 (Germany) and Zele by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Cologne (Germany) to Zele is 3 hours and 5 minutes.

Can you take a train directly from Cologne (Germany) to Zele?

No, there are no direct train services from Cologne (Germany) to Zele. Travelling from Cologne (Germany) to Zele by train will require a minimum of 2 changes.

What are the train times from Cologne (Germany) to Zele?

Check out the next trains departing from Cologne (Germany) to Zele for Tuesday 14th October 2025. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
DepartsArrivesDuration
07:4411:113h 27m, 2 changes
08:4112:113h 30m, 2 changes
10:4214:113h 29m, 2 changes
11:4215:113h 29m, 2 changes
12:4216:113h 29m, 2 changes
14:4117:463h 5m, 3 changes
14:4118:113h 30m, 2 changes
15:4419:113h 27m, 2 changes
17:4421:113h 27m, 2 changes
18:4222:113h 29m, 2 changes

How do I find cheap train tickets from Cologne (Germany) to Zele?

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 (Germany) to Zele 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 travelling outside of 'peak hours' (generally between 06:00 - 10:00 and 15:00 - 19:00 on weekdays) as many train 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 Interrail Passes that are valid for travel within 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 discounts

Many train companies in Europe will often run sales on tickets throughout the year or offer discounts to senior/youth/group travellers, so keep an eye out!

6. Take a night train

Save on accommodation and use the night to travel by sleeper train to your next destination.

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.

Europe’s leading train and coach app

We help customers across Europe make more than 172,000 smarter journeys every day.