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How to get from Cologne to Hamburg?

Are you planning to travel to Hamburg from Cologne and looking for the best transport options for your trip? We know that it is often difficult to choose the best way to travel from Cologne to Hamburg, whether it is for price, time or convenience reasons. Vivanoda will help you find all the transport solutions for travelling between Cologne and Hamburg, whether by plane, train, coach or carpool.

With detailed information on each mode of transport and on the transport companies (Deutsche Bahn, HKX, FlixTrain, FlixBus or ADAC PostBus), you can easily compare fares, timetables and travel times, in order to choose the option that best suits your needs.

Whether you are a budget traveller or looking for a quick and convenient way to travel between Cologne and Hamburg, we have all the information you need to plan an unforgettable Cologne Hamburg trip.

For your trip from Cologne to Hamburg, you have several transport options

Cologne to Hamburg bus

Buses are often the most economical choice for travel from Cologne to Hamburg, offering direct travel options or with intermediate stops.

Cologne to Hamburg train

If you like to travel in a more environmentally friendly and economical way, the Cologne Hamburg train is ideal and meets your expectations.

Flights Cologne Hamburg

Many flights connect Cologne to Hamburg every day, offering a quick and convenient option for travellers. If you are in a hurry, flying is the fastest way to get to Hamburg in record time.

Carpooling Cologne Hamburg

Carpooling between Cologne and Hamburg is perfect if you want to travel to Hamburg in good company and reduce transport costs. But there can be limited flexibility in terms of timetables and pick-up points in either Cologne or Hamburg.

Whichever option you choose, our price comparison tool will help you find the most suitable Cologne to Hamburg transport option for your needs and budget.

Travel information for Cologne Hamburg

City of departure
Cologne
Germany
North Rhine-Westphalia
Destination city
Hamburg
Germany
Hamburg
Distance
221 mi
Direct connection
Yes, direct connection by flights, coach, train and carpooling
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Plan your trip from Cologne to Hamburg easily with Vivanoda

Plan your trip from Cologne to Hamburg easily with Vivanoda

With Vivanoda you can easily compare all available modes of transport, such as flights, trains, buses and carpools, according to your preferences and budget. You can also filter the results by price, travel time, schedule and comfort options. Thanks to its ease of use and clarity, Vivanoda allows you to find the tickets between Cologne and Hamburg that best suit your needs in a few clicks. Vivanoda also displays all the special offers and promotions of different airlines such as Deutsche Bahn, HKX, FlixTrain, FlixBus or ADAC PostBus to help you save on your tickets. So don't hesitate and use Vivanoda now to prepare your trip between Cologne and Hamburg with peace of mind!

Comparison of the modes of transport between Cologne and Hamburg

Advantages and disadvantages of travelling by train from Cologne to Hamburg?
Accessibility Train stations in Cologne or Hamburg are located in the city centre, making it easy to use other means of transport to reach the city centre.
Environmentally friendly The Cologne-Hamburg train is considered to be a more environmentally friendly means of transport than flying or driving alone.
Speed Cologne to Hamburg trains are often much faster than buses or cars.
Flexibility Cologne Hamburg train times may be limited and it may be more difficult to change trains if necessary.
Cost Cologne Hamburg train tickets can be more expensive than coach or carpool tickets, especially on high-speed trains.
Advantages and disadvantages of flying from Cologne to Hamburg?
Choice of airlines There are many airlines operating flights from Cologne to Hamburg, both direct and with a stopover, giving travellers a wide choice.
Speed Flying between Cologne and Hamburg is the fastest way to travel the 221 mi between Cologne and Hamburg.
Environmental disadvantages Flights to Cologne Hamburg have a negative impact on the environment due to greenhouse gas emissions, as flying is one of the most polluting modes of transport.
Security checks Travellers to Hamburg often have to arrive at Cologne airport early due to strict security checks.
Prices Air tickets from Cologne to Hamburg can be more expensive than train or coach tickets, especially during busy periods (holidays, weekends, etc.).
Advantages and disadvantages of travelling by coach from Cologne to Hamburg?
On-board services Modern buses between Cologne and Hamburg are usually equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, power points and toilets.
Flexibility Bus companies offer a variety of timetable options for travel between Cologne and Hamburg, which can be convenient if you have specific time constraints.
Prices Coach tickets from Cologne to Hamburg are often much cheaper than train or plane tickets to Hamburg (and sometimes cheaper than carpooling), making it an affordable option for budget-conscious travellers.
Travel time Buses from Cologne to Hamburg are usually much slower than trains to Hamburg to cover the 221 mi distance.
Comfort Cologne-Hamburg buses can be less comfortable than trains, due to reduced legroom and the quality of the suspension.
Advantages and disadvantages of carpooling from Cologne to Hamburg?
Flexible Carpooling from Cologne to Hamburg is often more flexible than other modes of transport.
Friendliness Carpooling between Cologne and Hamburg is often more pleasant and friendly than other modes of transport, especially if you share the journey with nice people.
Economical Carpooling from Cologne to Hamburg is often the most economical way to travel.
Feeling insecure It may happen that you feel unsafe in the car with the driver, due to his or her attitude or driving style.
Reliability You should rely on the driver's punctuality and reliability for your Cologne Hamburg journey. They are not always on time.
Availability Finding availability for a carpool from Cologne to Hamburg can be tricky, especially if you plan ahead. Most carpools are only available a few days or weeks before departure.

Where to start from in Cologne? Where do I arrive in Hamburg?

Cologne departure bus stations

Koln
Map
Cologne South Airport
Map
Köln-Deutz
Map

Cologne Departure Stations

Köln Hbf
Map
Köln/Bonn Flughafen
Map
Köln Messe/Deutz
Map
Köln-Ehrenfeld
Map
Köln-Mülheim
Map
Köln Geldernstr/Parkgürtel
Map
Köln Süd
Map
Köln-Chorweiler
Map
Köln-Chorweiler Nord
Map
Köln-Dellbrück
Map
Köln Hansaring
Map
Köln-Longerich
Map
Köln Volkhovener Weg
Map
Köln-Blumenberg
Map
Köln-Buchforst
Map
Köln-Holweide
Map
Köln-Nippes
Map
Köln-Stammheim
Map
Köln-Worringen
Map
None
None

Departure airports in Cologne

Cologne Bonn
Map

Hamburg arrival coach stations

Hamburg - Zentral Omnibus Bahnhof (ZOB)
Map

Hamburg Arrival Stations

Hamburg Hbf
Map
Hamburg Dammtor
Map
Hamburg-Altona
Map
Hamburg-Harburg
Map

Hamburg Arrival Airports

Fuhlsbuettel
Map
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3 tips for cheaper travel between Cologne and Hamburg

Have you decided to travel from Cologne to Hamburg and are looking for ways to save money on your travel ticket? Here are 3 handy tips to save money on your journey. Whether you choose to travel by coach, train, flights or carpooling, these tips will help you find the best fares for your Cologne to Hamburg trip.

  • 1. Avoid peak times
    Cologne-Hamburg tickets are very often cheaper if you travel outside of rush hour. By avoiding these busy times of the day, you could save money on your travel ticket. In addition, travelling to Hamburg during off-peak hours can give you a more comfortable journey.
  • 2. Be flexible on dates
    Cologne-Hamburg tickets are often cheaper during the week than at the weekend. If you can afford to travel to Hamburg during the week rather than at the weekend, you could save money on your Cologne-Hamburg ticket. Moreover, being flexible on dates can also help you find the best prices to Hamburg.
  • 3. Compare prices
    Using Vivanoda is a great way to find the best prices for your trip from Cologne to Hamburg. It allows you to compare fares from different transport providers in one search and find the best price for your stay in Hamburg.

coach Cologne Hamburg

Passengers are generally allowed to take luggage on the Cologne-Hamburg bus, but it is important to check the weight and size limits with the carrier. The number of pieces of luggage is also very often limited.

The duration of the bus journey between Cologne and Hamburg usually varies depending on traffic conditions and any stops along the way. Vivanoda will allow you to see in real time all the buses travelling to Hamburg for your travel date.

The frequency of departures to Cologne from Hamburg varies depending on the carrier, the time period and the day of the week. To get a complete overview of all coach departures to Hamburg, please specify your departure date and search on Vivanoda.

Most carriers allow you to book seats online for an Cologne-Hamburg bus. There is often a charge for this service.

Cancellation and modification policies may vary depending on the bus company, so it is important to check the terms and conditions when booking. In most cases, cancelling or changing your Cologne-Hamburg coach ticket will incur additional costs.

The average price of a bus ticket for the Cologne-Hamburg route varies depending on the carrier and the time of booking. On certain busy dates, prices can double! Compare all coach prices from Cologne to Hamburg on Vivanoda.

Bus companies Cologne Hamburg

FlixBus
FlixBus
ADAC PostBus
ADAC PostBus
Onebus
Onebus
Bohr
Bohr
Blablabus
Blablabus
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Trains Cologne Hamburg

The average train journey time from Cologne to Hamburg depends on the type of train you take. Regional or intercity trains to Hamburg are slower than high-speed trains. Compare the duration of all trips by doing a price search on Vivanoda.

There may be a price difference depending on the time of day you travel by train from Cologne to Hamburg. Tickets purchased during off-peak hours are cheaper than those purchased during peak hours. To get a detailed overview of all prices, Vivanoda compares all modes of transport between Cologne and Hamburg.

There are discounts for children, students and seniors travelling by train from Cologne to Hamburg, which vary depending on the type of ticket and the age of the person. When you enter your age in your Vivanoda search, the prices displayed will take into account any age-related discounts.

It is recommended to book your train ticket from Cologne to Hamburg at least a few weeks in advance to get the best price.

Train tickets from Cologne to Hamburg can be refunded or exchanged but are usually more expensive. The cheapest tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

Passengers can of course take luggage with them on the train from Cologne to Hamburg. There is no weight limit, but some train companies limit the amount of luggage you can take with you and require you to pay a supplement. On the other hand, the size of the luggage should be reasonable, as space inside the train is often limited.

Train companies from Cologne to Hamburg

Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn
HKX
HKX
FlixTrain
FlixTrain
ÖBB
ÖBB
SBB CFF FFS
SBB CFF FFS
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Flights Cologne Hamburg

Airlines Cologne Hamburg

Air Berlin
Air Berlin
Germanwings
Germanwings
Lufthansa
Lufthansa
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Carpool Cologne Hamburg

It is possible to book a carpool at the last minute, but this depends on the availability of drivers and the demand for the journey. It is recommended to book your carpool in advance to guarantee your trip.

Carpooling is generally considered to be a safe option for travelling between Cologne and Hamburg. However, it is important to check driver reviews and ratings before booking a trip. It is also recommended that you only share your personal details with people you trust.

The number of seats available in a carpool from Cologne to Hamburg depends on the driver and the type of vehicle used. In general, a driver can offer between 1 and 4 seats.

Carpooling is considered a more environmentally friendly option than other modes of transport, as it reduces CO2 emissions by reducing the number of cars on the road. However, this depends on the number of people sharing the same vehicle and the fuel consumption of the vehicle.

The duration of a carpool trip between Cologne and Hamburg also depends on the traffic conditions and the route taken by the driver. By starting a price search on Vivanoda now, you will get the estimated time for each available carpool offer.

The average cost of a carpool from Cologne to Hamburg depends on a number of factors, including the time of year, demand and supply, and the carpooling platform used. To get a very accurate estimate of the price and availability of a carpooling trip from Cologne to Hamburg, start a search on Vivanoda by entering your travel dates.

Carpooling platform Cologne Hamburg

Blablacar
Blablacar
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