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:

  1. The fastest and most frequent option for a daytime journey are the swish ICE trains.
  2. 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.
  3. 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

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

DB Bahn Guide

DB is the national railway operator in Germany, so its website can be used for booking journeys by German express trains; the ICE and IC trains and it doesn't charge booking fees.
It also sells tickets for journeys by direct trains on all international routes from Germany regardless of whether DB is operating the train service.

It also sells an extensive range of end-to-end journeys which involve making connections both within Germany and in neighboring countries, but journeys between Germany and Britain cannot be booked on DB.

A key feature of DB website worth keeping mind is that it offers 1st class ticket purchasers complimentary seat reservations on journeys both within and to/from Germany.

Seat reservations for daytime in both 1st and 2nd class can also be booked separately from tickets.

Save A Train from €17.90

Save A Train Guide

Happy rail from €17.90

Happy rail Guide

Happy Rail is a Netherlands rail ticket agency which sells tickets for both national and international journeys within a range of countries including Belgium France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland.

HappyRail doesn't charge booking fees in the conventional sense, but if you're not Dutch you can expect to pay additional transaction fees, which will be added to the total cost.
That's because the most common form of online payment used in The Netherlands is 'iDEAL' and HappyRail doesn't charge a transaction fee for 'iDEAL' payments, but only Dutch residents can sign up to 'iDEAL'.
Other forms of payment include Visa debit cards will incur a fee.

On this journey

Journey Features

Scenic - NoHigh Speed (partial journey)
From the high speed line between Seigburg/Bonn and Frankfurt Flughafen From the high speed line between Seigburg/Bonn and Frankfurt Flughafen

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

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

DB Guide

DB is the national railway operator in Germany, so its website can be used for booking journeys by German express trains; the ICE and IC trains and it doesn't charge booking fees.
It also sells tickets for journeys by direct trains on all international routes from Germany regardless of whether DB is operating the train service.

It also sells an extensive range of end-to-end journeys which involve making connections both within Germany and in neighboring countries, but journeys between Germany and Britain cannot be booked on DB.

A key feature of DB website worth keeping mind is that it offers 1st class ticket purchasers complimentary seat reservations on journeys both within and to/from Germany.
Seat reservations for daytime in both 1st and 2nd class can also be booked separately from tickets.

Two types of ticket have recently been made available;

  1. Cheaper 'Young' tickets which can only be booked by those aged 15-26 on the travel date.
  2. Flexi Plus tickets, which are now the most expensive type of ticket, but they're the only type of 2nd class tickets which DO include a seat reservation.

On this journey

Journey Features

Scenic - YesRiver views

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.

The curves of the river banks allow for spectacular views The curves of the river banks allow for spectacular views
The highlight of the journey through the Rhine Valley is the view of Lorely The highlight of the journey through the Rhine Valley is the view of Lorely
The spectacular Middle Rhine Valley views continue until Bingen The spectacular Middle Rhine Valley views continue until Bingen
The trains chase the boats down the Middle Rhine Valley The trains chase the boats down the Middle Rhine Valley

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

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

DB Guide

DB is the national railway operator in Germany, so its website can be used for booking journeys by German express trains; the ICE and IC trains and it doesn't charge booking fees.
It also sells tickets for journeys by direct trains on all international routes from Germany regardless of whether DB is operating the train service.

It also sells an extensive range of end-to-end journeys which involve making connections both within Germany and in neighboring countries, but journeys between Germany and Britain cannot be booked on DB.

A key feature of DB website worth keeping mind is that it offers 1st class ticket purchasers complimentary seat reservations on journeys both within and to/from Germany.
Seat reservations for daytime in both 1st and 2nd class can also be booked separately from tickets.

Two types of ticket have recently been made available;

  1. Cheaper 'Young' tickets which can only be booked by those aged 15-26 on the travel date.
  2. Flexi Plus tickets, which are now the most expensive type of ticket, but they're the only type of 2nd class tickets which DO include a seat reservation.

On this journey

Journey Features

Night

Good to Know

This train is in effect two trains combined into one departure:

  1. A Nightjet train which conveys the sleeping cabins and couchettes
  2. An IC train, which uses the same types of coaches as those used on daytime services
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