Köln / Cologne / Koeln to Dresden by train

How to take the rail journey from Cologne/Köln to Dresden

Routes

From Köln/Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf

Journey Summary

From

Köln / Cologne / Koeln

Köln/Cologne Hbf Rail Station Guide

Dresden

Dresden Hbf Rail Station Guide

Travel Time

7hr 24mins (approx)

Frequency

Daily

Travel Information

Final Destination: Dresden

All trains also call at: Magdeburg and Leipzig

These direct trains are usually the slowest option for travelling from Koln/Cologne to beautiful Dresden by train.
So if you're not averse to changing trains, you can get to Dresden more than 90 mins faster by taking a combination of ICE trains.

Though these direct trains are usually the (much) cheaper option for travelling by train from Koln/Cologne to Dresden.

Monday to Friday = 6 x trains per day
Saturday = 5 x trains
Sunday = 6 x trains

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: 6 months ahead of the travel date

When looking for tickets from Köln Hbf on DB Bahn type ‘K‘ or 'COLOGNE' into the ‘from‘ box and not ‘Ko‘.

Most of the options sold by DB, Germany's national rail operator, for travelling between Koln/Cologne and Dresden by train involve taking more than one train and making a connection.
So if you want to travel by these direct trains, on the DBnbooking site look for journeys that have:

0 in the Chg. column
IC (and only IC) in the Products column.

Use the earlier/later buttons to search for the cheapest ticket prices.

There can be gaps of more than three hours between the departures of these direct IC trains, so it can also be necessary to search for 'earlier' or 'later' trains to find them on the booking sites.

Book 1st class ticket journey tickets 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.

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; Cheaper 'Young' tickets which can only be booked by those aged 15-26 on the travel date. 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. Buying and using tickets for German rail travel This guide to buying tickets and using rail passes for train journeys both within and to, from Germany will help you save money, time and confusion. Buying and using tickets for German rail travel This guide to buying tickets and using rail passes for train journeys both within and to, from Germa... How to Book Tickets on the DB Website This step by step guide shows how to use DB, the German railways website, to buy German train tickets, so that you can book and save with confidence! How to Book Tickets on the DB Website This step by step guide shows how to use DB, the German railways website, to buy German train ticket... Using Rail Passes in and to/from Germany All that's good to know about using Eurail and InterRail passes on German train journeys and on international trains to and from Germany Using Rail Passes in and to/from Germany All that's good to know about using Eurail and InterRail passes on German train journeys and on inte...
Trainline	from €17.90
Trainline Guide Booking Train Tickets with an Independent Ticketing Service What to look out for when using Omio, SaveATrain, HappyRail, Trainline and RailEurope (UK) when booking train tickets for European rail journeys Booking Train Tickets with an Independent Ticketing Service What to look out for when using Omio, SaveATrain, HappyRail, Trainline and RailEurope (UK) when book...

On this journey

Travelling On

Intercity 2 (Germany) Train Guide

Good to Know

Having something to watch or read with you is recommended, for most of this train ride, you will be travelling across the flat plains of northern Germany

The general guide to German rail travel Discover what's good to know about riding the trains, taking popular journeys, using the major stations, booking tickets and travelling with rail passes.

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