Is there a way to reach Cologne from Dortmund without a car?

You can take a bus or a train to go from Dortmund to Cologne. Either way you choose, you'll be sure to reach your destination in the most practical and sustainable way. Another option you should consider is using carpooling services, which allow you to share a car ride with other travelers.

How long is the bus trip from Dortmund to Cologne?

The travel time from Dortmund to Cologne is about 2h 35m, although the minimum time it takes to get there is 1h 5m with the fastest bus. This is the time it takes to travel the 46 miles (74 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the distance between Dortmund and Cologne?

The distance separating Dortmund and Cologne is 46 miles (74 km).

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Dortmund to Cologne?

If you're headed to Cologne from Dortmund, chances are that your bus will leave from Dortmund Hauptbahnhof and arrive at Cologne/Bonn Airport. These are the main pick-up and drop-off locations on this route, but you can find others that could fit better into your travel plans.

What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Dortmund to Cologne?

You can expect to pay around $11 for a bus ticket. Over the last 30 days, the prices ranged between $8 and $70, so make sure to compare them to get the best option.

Can you do a day trip from Dortmund to Cologne?

Yes, it's possible to take a day trip from Dortmund to Cologne! The total time it takes to make a round-trip between Dortmund and Cologne is about 2h 10m. So you'll have plenty of time to discover Cologne before making your way back to Dortmund.

What are the best sights and things to do in Cologne?

Once in Cologne, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Historic Town Hall, Cologne cable cars, Flora and Botanical Garden, Twelve Romanesque churches and Cologne Cathedral.

Dortmund to Cologne Bus Tickets

TodayMay 1

from $9

TomorrowMay 2

SatMay 3

SunMay 4

MonMay 5

TueMay 6

WedMay 7

ThuMay 8

Cheap buses leaving today

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: May 1 at 5:35pm
Departure city: Dortmund
Departure location: Dortmund
Arrival time: May 1 at 7:20pm
Destination city: Cologne
Destination location: Flughafen Köln/Bonn Airport (CGN)
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1h 45m
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: May 1 at 5:35pm
Departure city: Dortmund
Departure location: Dortmund
Arrival time: May 1 at 6:40pm
Destination city: Cologne
Destination location: Heinrich-von-Stephan-Straße
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1h 5m
Departure time: May 1 at 4:40am
Departure city: Dortmund
Departure location: Dortmund
Arrival time: May 1 at 7:20am
Destination city: Cologne
Destination location: Flughafen Köln/Bonn Airport (CGN)
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2h 40m
Departure time: May 1 at 5:15am
Departure city: Dortmund
Departure location: Dortmund
Arrival time: May 1 at 8:05am
Destination city: Cologne
Destination location: Flughafen Köln/Bonn Airport (CGN)
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2h 50m
Departure time: May 1 at 9:45am
Departure city: Dortmund
Departure location: Dortmund
Arrival time: May 1 at 1:05pm
Destination city: Cologne
Destination location: Flughafen Köln/Bonn Airport (CGN)
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 3h 20m

Accepted payments

Compare 3 ways to go from Dortmund to Cologne.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$8 - $70	Average Duration2h 35m	CO₂ emissions 2kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	Most eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$8 - $68	Average Duration1h 20m	CO₂ emissions 2kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars
Carpool	Average Price$4 - $18	Average Duration1h	CO₂ emissions 3kg CO₂e4 out of 5 stars	CheapestFastest

Busbud recommends carpooling from Dortmund to Cologne

Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as the good way to reach Cologne. The journey takes about 1 hour and with fares starting at just $4, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

12carpool per day

1hAverage Duration

$4Cheapest ticket

3kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Dortmund to Cologne: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$11

Average bus trip duration2h 35m

Number of daily buses7

Earliest bus departure3:25am

Distance47 miles (75 km)

Latest bus departure8:55pm

Compare bus companies

FlixBus

3.5/58,448 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.6

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

BlaBlaCar Bus

3.5/510,143 reviews

Staff4.4

Timeliness3.7

Cleanliness4.3

Wifi2.5

DE bus companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, ALSA, Sindbad, MarinoBus, Infobus, RegioJet

Dortmund to Cologne Bus

With Busbud, comparing and booking tickets for a bus from Dortmund to Cologne is a breeze. Browse through an extensive selection of bus fares and bus schedules to find the best deals.

We make sure you can find a bus service from Dortmund to Cologne from the most reliable bus companies operating this trip.

Discover how much the bus trip from Dortmund to Cologne will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest bus tickets or luxury buses.

Where are the popular stops in Dortmund and Cologne?

Stops in Dortmund

A - ZOB

B - Dortmund Hauptbahnhof

C - Deutsches Fußballmuseum Bushaltestelle

D - Dortmund Bushaltestelle

Stops in Cologne

A - Cologne/Bonn Airport

B - Hbf

C - Gummersbacher Str.

D - Riehl Zoo

E - Leverkusen Mitte

F - Rhein Energie Stadion

Frequently asked questions for your trip Dortmund - Cologne

Is there a way to reach Cologne from Dortmund without a car?
How long is the bus trip from Dortmund to Cologne?
What is the distance between Dortmund and Cologne?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Dortmund to Cologne?
What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Dortmund to Cologne?
Can you do a day trip from Dortmund to Cologne?
What are the best sights and things to do in Cologne?

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

04/29

$7

04/30

$7

Today

$9

05/02

$6

05/03

$7

05/04

$7

05/05

$7

05/06

$6

The cheapest trip from Dortmund to Cologne was searched and found on May 2, 2025 with a price of $6

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Dortmund to Cologne, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $6 to $22 for a bus ticket from Dortmund to Cologne based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $6 which is on 2025-05-02.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Meet and talk to locals at the bus stations while traveling from Dortmund to Cologne.There is no better way to get inside travel information while exploring a new city than to go straight to its people.

Start sightseeing the minute your bus leaves the station. If you're on the night bus from Dortmund to Cologne, get comfy and count the stars.

Buses have one of the smallest carbon footprints of motorized transport modes. A bus going from Dortmund to Cologne will emit less CO2 than a car or an airplane.

Create your own real life musical score by curating a personalized bus travel playlist - the perfect accompaniment to your bus ride from Dortmund to Cologne.

Did you know?

One of the longest bus route in the world goes all the way from Ontario to Alberta in Canada (with the same bus). This trip is 3,435 km or 2,135 miles long and the price is a bit under $100.

Did you know that 80% of the buses in North America are equipped with WiFi and power outlets ? And 60% of bus travelers have used their electronic device on board during 2014.

The bus driver with the longest career in the world drove more than 2,000,000 miles and is a happy World Record holder.

Will you be returning to Dortmund by bus?

Bus from Dortmund to Cologne

You can also go to Cologne by train

Train from Dortmund to Cologne

Top traveled bus routes

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Bus Tickets from Dortmund to Cologne