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Köln / Cologne / Koeln to Basel / Bâle by train
How to take a rail journey from Cologne/Köln to Basel
There are three options for a taking a direct train from Cologne/Köln to Basel:
- The fastest and most frequent option for a daytime journey are the swish ICE trains.
- For those who favor a scenic journey over a train ride with a wow factor, there are the EC trains which take the beautiful route through the Rhine Valley.
- Or if you need to be in Basel in time for breakfast, there is also an overnight train
All of these trains call at two stations in Basel, the first stop is the Basel Bad Bf, which is managed by DB, the German national rail operator, which therefore creates the illusion that you won't have left Germany.
The trains then continue on to Basel SBB station where connections are available to a swathe of Swiss destinations without direct trains from Cologne/Köln, including Luzern, Lugano, Locarno, Brig and Biel (for Lausanne and Geneva)
What matters about this is that the tickets to Basel Bad Bf will be cheaper as DB classifies this is a national journey, but the journey on to Basel SBB becomes an international journey.
So if you will be heading to Basel city centre, book tickets to Basel Bad Bf.
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Routes
Opion 1: taking the ICE trains
Journey Summary
3hr 40min approx
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Basel SBB
All trains also call at: [Karlsruhe]https://goo.gl/maps/T2SRWoDu5qSK96nH8) and Freiburg
These ICE trains usually depart in even hours during the day with the final train of the usually scheduled to depart from Koln Hbf at either 18:55 or 20:55.
The first train of the day from Koln is usually due to arrive in Basel at around 10:40.
Though if you need to be there earlier you can take the overnight train, which is due in to Basel at 06:10.
Arriving in Basel:
If you're heading to Basel city centre, the quickest journey is usually to leave this train at Basel Bad bf.
There are easy tram connections from Basel Bad bf station to the city centre.
After the train departs from Basel Bad Bf it will go on to call at Basel SBB station.
Remain on the train until it arrives at Basel SBB if your final destination is to the south of the city centre, or if you will be connecting into trains to other destinations in Switzerland - including Brig, Luzern, Interlaken Visp and Zurich.
Mon to Weds = 8 x trains per day
Thurs to Sun = 7 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
Finding Tickets:
When looking for tickets from Köln Hbf on DB type ‘K‘ into the ‘from‘ box and not ‘Ko‘.
Check that you’re looking at booking info for the direct trains
On the DB booking site look for journeys that have:
- 0 in the Chg. column
- ICE (and only ICE) in the Products column.
Use the earlier/later buttons to search for the cheapest ticket price
Reservations
Book 1st class ticket journey tickets on and your seat reservation is included; but they're optional when booking 2nd class tickets, or if you will be travelling with a 1st or 2nd class rail pass.
Opting to reserve is particularly recommended if you will be travelling at business hours and/or during the day on Fridays and Sundays.
A choice of stations in Basel.
These trains call first at Basel Bad Bf station before going on to terminate at Basel SBB station
If you want to travel to Basel Bad Bf then select it from the station options in the 'To' Box.
If you want to travel to Basel SBB, select this station in the 'To' box.
Tickets booked to Basel Bad bf are not valid for journeys on to Basel SBB.
Taking the train on to Basel SBB makes this an international journey, so you can save more than €20s by booking to Basel Bad Bf; so definitely select that station if you are heading to Basel city centre.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| DB Bahn | from €17.90 | |
| Save A Train | from €17.90 | |
| Happy rail | from €17.90 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
These ICE trains travel at up to 285 km/h on Germany's fastest high speed line between Siegburg/Bonn and Frankfurt Flughafen.
They also take another higher speed route later in the journey between Karlsruhe and Offenburg.
But aside from the thrills of travelling at high speed, this isn't a particularly scenic journey.
So if time is on your side, or if you will be travelling with a rail pass, an alternative option is to travel by the EC trains on the exceptionally scenic route through the Rhine Valley.
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Option 2: taking the EC trains
Journey Summary
4hr 29min (approx)
Daily
Travel Information
These trains are usually scheduled to depart from Koln at 08:53 and 10:53.
Final Destination: Zurich or Interlaken
These trains also call at: Bonn, Koblenz and Mainz
Arriving in Basel:
These trains also call at: Basel SBB
If you're heading to Basel city centre, the quickest journey is usually to leave this train at Basel Bad bf.
There are easy tram connections from Basel Bad bf station to the city centre.
After the train departs from Basel Bad Bf it will go on to call at Basel SBB station.
Remain on the train until it arrives at Basel SBB if your final destination is to the south of the city centre, or if you will be connecting into trains to other destinations in Switzerland with no direct trains from Cologne/Koln including Chur, Luzern, Lugano, Locarno, Brig and Biel (for Lausanne and Geneva).
2 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
Reservations:
Book 1st class ticket journey tickets and your seat reservation is included (use the seating plan to access the seats in the observation car), but they're optional when booking 2nd class tickets, or if you will be travelling with a 1st or 2nd class rail pass.
Opting to reserve is particularly recommended if you will be travelling 2nd class on these trains.
Finding tickets:
**When looking for tickets from Köln on DB type ‘K‘ or 'COLOGNE' into the ‘from‘ box and not ‘Ko‘.
When making an online booking, check that you’re looking at booking info for these direct EC trains that depart from Koln at around 08:53 and 10:53.
They can be classified as IC trains in Germany.
A choice of stations in Basel:
These trains also call at Basel SBB after they call at Basel Bad Bf.
If the finish point for your journey is in Basel city centre, the quickest option will be leaving the train at Basel Bad Bf so take care to select it as your 'To' destination - tickets to Basel Bad Bf are also usually cheaper.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| DB | from €17.90 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
When boarding these trains at Köln Hbf, if you want to make the most of the Rhine Valley views take seats on the right when facing the direction of travel.
This will seem the wrong way round, because the valley is located to the south of Köln/Cologne, but the train will initially head north, before looping around the city to take a route along the the west/left bank of the river.
These trains also convey observation cars which can be occupied by travellers using ordinary 1st class tickets, you won't have to pay a special charge.
When booking online with DB you can make use of the seating plans to book seats in this coach/car.
If you have time on your side and have yet to experience the stunning journey through the Rhine Valley, then take these trains instead of the alternative trains ICE trains which take the high speed line.
After Bonn there are some fabulous views of the Upper Rhine Valley from the LEFT of the train.
The best of the views occur when the trains travel through The Rhine Gorge between Koblenz and Bingen.
The journey is a delight, you can't miss the endless parade of boats travelling up and down the river and look out for the multitude of castles perched on top of the hills.
Option 3: travel through the night
Journey Summary
6hr 18min
Nightly
Travel Information
This relatively new Nightjet train is typically scheduled to depart from Koln hbf at 23:42 or 23:53.
Final Destination: Zurich
This train also calls at: Basel SBB*
*If you're heading to Basel city centre, the quickest journey is usually to leave this train at Basel Bad bf, where it is usually scheduled to arrive at 06:11
There are easy tram connections from Basel Bad bf station to the city centre.
After the train departs from Basel Bad Bf it will go on to call at Basel SBB station (it is typically scheduled to arrive there at 06:20).
Remain on the train until it arrives at Basel SBB if your final destination is to the south of the city centre, or if you will be connecting into trains to other destinations in Switzerland;including Brig, Luzern, Interlaken and Visp.
1 x train per night
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
The train conveys:
- Compartment Seats (Sitzwagen)
- Couchettes (Liegewagen); 4 berths AND 6 berths
- Standard sleeping cars (Schlafwagen) with 3 bed, 2 bed and 1 cabins
- Deluxe sleeping cars with showers (Schlafwagen) with 3 bed, 2 bed and 1 cabins
The first price you will see on the OBB ticketing site will be for the compartment seats.
Click the train guides below for more info including the rail pass reservation fees:
Rail pass users must reserve before boarding these trains,
You can now book rail pass reservations without paying booking fees on the OBB website (OBB operates these trains).Though the process for doing so isn't particularly obvious, hence this step-by-step guide.
By booking online you can avoid the booking fees which will be payable at the station in The Netherlands.
When looking for tickets from Köln on DB Bahn type ‘K‘ or 'COLOGNE' into the ‘from‘ box and not ‘Ko‘.
Check that you’re looking at booking info for this direct overnight train
On the DB booking site look for the journey that:
- departs Koln Hbf at around 23:53
- has 0 in the Chg. column
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| DB | from €27.90 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
This train is in effect two trains combined into one departure:
- A Nightjet train which conveys the sleeping cabins and couchettes
- An IC train, which uses the same types of coaches as those used on daytime services
This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.
We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.
Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.
So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please consider saying thank you.
See if there’s a unique journey guide for your trip, featuring info on the trains, tickets & stations.
This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney, which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.
