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How to get from Zurich to Cologne?

Are you planning to travel to Cologne from Zurich 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 Zurich to Cologne, whether it is for price, time or convenience reasons. Vivanoda will help you find all the transport solutions for travelling between Zurich and Cologne, whether by plane, train, coach or carpool.

With detailed information on each mode of transport and on the transport companies (Deutsche Bahn, SBB CFF FFS, TGV Lyria, Eurolines CH or FlixBus), 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 Zurich and Cologne, we have all the information you need to plan an unforgettable Zurich Cologne trip.

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

Zurich to Cologne bus

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

Zurich to Cologne train

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

Flights Zurich Cologne

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

Carpooling Zurich Cologne

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

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

Travel information for Zurich Cologne

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

Plan your trip from Zurich to Cologne 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 Zurich and Cologne 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, SBB CFF FFS, TGV Lyria, Eurolines CH or FlixBus to help you save on your tickets. So don't hesitate and use Vivanoda now to prepare your trip between Zurich and Cologne with peace of mind!

Comparison of the modes of transport between Zurich and Cologne

Advantages and disadvantages of flying from Zurich to Cologne?
Speed Flying between Zurich and Cologne is the fastest way to travel the 257 mi between Zurich and Cologne.
Choice of airlines There are many airlines operating flights from Zurich to Cologne, both direct and with a stopover, giving travellers a wide choice.
Prices Air tickets from Zurich to Cologne can be more expensive than train or coach tickets, especially during busy periods (holidays, weekends, etc.).
Security checks Travellers to Cologne often have to arrive at Zurich airport early due to strict security checks.
Environmental disadvantages Flights to Zurich Cologne have a negative impact on the environment due to greenhouse gas emissions, as flying is one of the most polluting modes of transport.
Advantages and disadvantages of carpooling from Zurich to Cologne?
Friendliness Carpooling between Zurich and Cologne is often more pleasant and friendly than other modes of transport, especially if you share the journey with nice people.
Environmentally friendly By sharing a car with someone else you reduce the environmental impact of a trip from Zurich to Cologne.
Economical Carpooling from Zurich to Cologne is often the most economical way to travel.
Reliability You should rely on the driver's punctuality and reliability for your Zurich Cologne journey. They are not always on time.
Comfort You have to share the space in the car with other passengers during the whole journey from Zurich to Cologne.
Availability Finding availability for a carpool from Zurich to Cologne can be tricky, especially if you plan ahead. Most carpools are only available a few days or weeks before departure.
Advantages and disadvantages of travelling by coach from Zurich to Cologne?
Prices Coach tickets from Zurich to Cologne are often much cheaper than train or plane tickets to Cologne (and sometimes cheaper than carpooling), making it an affordable option for budget-conscious travellers.
Flexibility Bus companies offer a variety of timetable options for travel between Zurich and Cologne, which can be convenient if you have specific time constraints.
On-board services Modern buses between Zurich and Cologne are usually equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, power points and toilets.
Comfort Zurich-Cologne buses can be less comfortable than trains, due to reduced legroom and the quality of the suspension.
Travel time Buses from Zurich to Cologne are usually much slower than trains to Cologne to cover the 257 mi distance.
Advantages and disadvantages of travelling by train from Zurich to Cologne?
Comfort Trains between Zurich and Cologne generally offer more legroom and extra comfort for passengers.
Environmentally friendly The Zurich-Cologne train is considered to be a more environmentally friendly means of transport than flying or driving alone.
Speed Zurich to Cologne trains are often much faster than buses or cars.
Cost Zurich Cologne train tickets can be more expensive than coach or carpool tickets, especially on high-speed trains.
Flexibility Zurich Cologne train times may be limited and it may be more difficult to change trains if necessary.

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

Zurich departure bus stations

Zurich
Map
Zurich
Map

Zurich Departure Stations

Zurich HB
Map
Zürich Altstetten
Map
Zürich Oerlikon
Map
Zürich Flughafen
Map

Departure airports in Zurich

Zurich
Map

Cologne arrival coach stations

Koln
Map
Cologne South Airport
Map
Köln-Deutz
Map

Cologne Arrival Stations

Köln Hbf
Map
Köln Messe/Deutz
Map
Köln-Ehrenfeld
Map
Köln-Mülheim
Map
Köln Süd
Map
Köln/Bonn Flughafen
Map
Köln Geldernstr/Parkgürtel
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
Köln West
Map
None
None

Cologne Arrival Airports

Cologne Bonn
Map
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3 tips for cheaper travel between Zurich and Cologne

Have you decided to travel from Zurich to Cologne 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 Zurich to Cologne trip.

  • 1. Compare prices
    Using Vivanoda is a great way to find the best prices for your trip from Zurich to Cologne. It allows you to compare fares from different transport providers in one search and find the best price for your stay in Cologne.
  • 2. Avoid peak times
    Zurich-Cologne 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 Cologne during off-peak hours can give you a more comfortable journey.
  • 3. Book in advance
    This is often the best-known tip for saving money on travel between Zurich and Cologne. This is because train, plane, coach or ferry tickets are often cheaper if you buy them well in advance. This can sometimes save you tens or even hundreds of euros on your Zurich-Cologne journey.

coach Zurich Cologne

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

The duration of the bus journey between Zurich and Cologne 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 Cologne for your travel date.

Passengers are generally allowed to take luggage on the Zurich-Cologne 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 frequency of departures to Zurich from Cologne varies depending on the carrier, the time period and the day of the week. To get a complete overview of all coach departures to Cologne, please specify your departure date and search on Vivanoda.

Zurich-Cologne bus tickets are often cheaper if you buy them in advance, especially if you book several weeks in advance. However, some coach companies also offer last-minute deals to fill the remaining seats.

The refund policy for Zurich-Cologne bus tickets varies depending on the bus company and the class of reservation. In general, very cheap tickets and special offers are not eligible for a refund in the event of cancellation, but some companies offer partial refund or deferral options. It is important to read the terms and conditions carefully before buying a ticket to Cologne.

Bus companies Zurich Cologne

Eurolines CH
Eurolines CH
FlixBus
FlixBus
Blablabus
Blablabus
ADAC PostBus
ADAC PostBus
Onebus
Onebus
Bohr
Bohr
DeinBus
DeinBus
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Trains Zurich Cologne

To get the best deals on train tickets between Zurich and Cologne, it is recommended to book in advance, be flexible with the timetable and compare the ticket prices with Vivanoda.

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

Passengers can of course take luggage with them on the train from Zurich to Cologne. 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.

There may be a price difference depending on the time of day you travel by train from Zurich to Cologne. 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 Zurich and Cologne.

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

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

Train companies from Zurich to Cologne

Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn
SBB CFF FFS
SBB CFF FFS
TGV Lyria
TGV Lyria
HKX
HKX
FlixTrain
FlixTrain
ÖBB
ÖBB
Mittelrheinbahn
Mittelrheinbahn
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Flights Zurich Cologne

Airlines Zurich Cologne

Air Berlin
Air Berlin
Darwin Airline
Darwin Airline
Germanwings
Germanwings
Lufthansa
Lufthansa
Swiss International Airlines
Swiss International Airlines
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Carpool Zurich Cologne

The duration of a carpool trip between Zurich and Cologne 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 Zurich to Cologne 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 Zurich to Cologne, start a search on Vivanoda by entering your travel dates.

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 Zurich and Cologne. 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 Zurich to Cologne depends on the driver and the type of vehicle used. In general, a driver can offer between 1 and 4 seats.

Pets are allowed in carpools between Zurich and Cologne depending on the driver's preference. It is important to check with the driver before booking.

Carpooling platform Zurich Cologne

Blablacar
Blablacar
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