Hamburg to Cologne by train

DepartMon 9 Nov, 00:00

Hamburg to Cologne from €17.99 with a Sparpreis on Mon 9 Nov, the cheapest of the next 7 days. The fastest train takes 4 h 03. A split ticket was cheaper on 1 of 5 trains we checked, by up to €8.01.

Prices from Deutsche Bahn, 2nd class, without BahnCard. Updated Nov 6, 2026.

The next 7 days

€27.09
€44.09
€17.99
€17.99
€17.99
€17.99
€23.99

Cheapest Sparpreis per day, 2nd class. Each day opens the search for that day.

Split vs through ticket

Two tickets, same connection€53.98
One ticket€61.99

A split was cheaper on 1 of 5 trains we checked for Nov 27, 2026, measured on Nov 6, 2026. It depends on the train, so the search checks yours.

The route in numbers

Distance
425 km
Fastest train
4 h 03, ICE
Typical
4 h 04
Trains
ICE
Through trains
Yes
Common split points
Bremen, Münster (Westf), Dortmund, Duisburg, Düsseldorf
Deutschlandticket
No, too long

Journey times measured on Nov 6, 2026 across 8 departures.

Why prices differ on this route

A through Sparpreis needs open quota on every section of your train, and each train has its own. Once the cheap fare tier is gone on one section, the whole journey moves to the next tier.

Splitting at Dortmund or Münster turns the journey into two tickets, each with the quota of its own section. Your train stops there anyway, so you stay on board and arrive at the same time.

Tips for this route

  1. Don't just look for the fastest connection. Via Bremen and via the Ruhr take about the same time, so the cheaper route costs you little or no extra time.
  2. If you have a Deutschlandticket, add it in the search. It then only prices the section that needs a long-distance ticket.

Questions

It varies by train and travel day. For each of the next 7 days, this page shows the cheapest Sparpreis. You can book Sparpreis fares up to six months ahead.

Written by BetterBahn. Facts checked on Nov 6, 2026.