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How to take the rail journey from Cologne/Köln to Munich/München
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Köln / Cologne / Koeln to München / Munich by train
Taking a train from Cologne/Köln to Munich/München is very straightforward but there is an unusually high number of options for taking a direct train, and in summary they are:
1: the most frequent service of high speed ICE trains, which happen to depart from Köln Messe/Deutz station.
2. faster 'Sprinter' ICE services which also depart from Köln Messe/Deutz station
3: other ICE trains which depart from the city's main central rail station, Köln hbf.
4. taking a more scenic, but slower route.
5. Travelling in a bed or a bunk on a Nightjet train
6. Travelling through the night on an ICE train
Routes you can take to go from Köln / Cologne / Koeln to München / Munich
When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.
Choose one of the following options:
Looking for connections?
Route Information
Option 1: taking an ICE train from Koln Messe/Deutz station
Station Guides
Travel Time (approx)
4hr 20 min - 4hr 35 min (approx)
Frequency
Daily
Travel Info
1 or 2 x trains per hour
The trains on the route via Frankfurt (Main) are typically hourly, but in alternate hours other trains heading to Munchen/Munich from Koln Messe/Deutz station now use the new high speed line south of Stuttgart, hence they're now only five minutes slower.
Is the journey from Cologne / Köln to Munich / München direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.
Is this journey option scenic?
It's pleasant rather than spectacular, though there are some dramatic views from the high speed line between Siegburg/Bonn and Frankfurt Flughafen
And the trains also travels through a series of scenic valleys between Frankfurt and Wurzburg
What other tourist locations are along this route from Cologne / Köln to Munich / München?
These trains also call in Wurzburg and Nuremberg
When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at München Hbf from Köln-Messe/Deutz on this journey option?
- Shortly after 10:00 on Monday to Saturday
- Shortly after 11:00 on Sunday
Source = European Rail Timetable
How easy is it to travel on from the station in Munich / München?
Frequent local (S-Bahn) trains travel on to the city centre and multiple tram and metro lines are also available - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighbourhood.
When is the usual approximate latest departure from Köln-Messe/Deutz to München Hbf on this journey option
After 19:30 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable
How easy is it to get to the station in Cologne / Köln?
Köln-Messe/Deutz is served by frequent trains from Köln Hbf and multiple U-Bhan (metro) and tram routes - See the Station Guide above for more info.
Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these Cologne / Köln to Munich / München trains?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' to access guides to how rail tickets are managed in Germany, plus step-by-step guides on how to make a booking.
How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for these Cologne / Köln to Munich / München trains?
It can be up to 6 months ahead of the travel date; though the booking period will be typically be shorter when looking up journeys for travel after the second Sunday in December; and when looking up summer travel in March to May.
What are the child ticket terms for these Cologne / Köln to Munich / München trains?
Adults (aged 15 and over) purchasing discounted 'Sparschiene' tickets for travel in either First or Second class, can take up to four children (aged 14 and under) at no additional cost.
Does the ticket for these Cologne / Köln to Munich / München trains include assigned seats?
Only when booking the most expensive types of ticket = Flexpreise tickets for travel in 1st class.
So they are not included when booking tickets for travel in 2nd class, or any other type of ticket valid for travel in 1st class
They are available, so they can be added for an additional cost, when booking those types of ticket.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train.
Do rail pass users need to book reservations for these Cologne / Köln to Munich / München trains?
They are optional, but are recommended for travel at:
- business hours,
- Fridays after midday
- Sundays after midday
See the rail pass guide for details of the booking options.
Is catering available on these Cologne / Köln to Munich / München trains?
Yes, there is a bar/bistro car and a restaurant car.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information.
What else is good to know about German rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Germany
Purchase Tickets
Exclusive for New Customers: Receive a 10% discount by using the code 24NOV on any purchase with a maximum total price of £100, until 28 November 2024 (11:59 pm CET). Limit one coupon per qualifying booking. Cannot be combined, transferred or exchanged.
Omio Guide
Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.
The three key advantages of using Omio are
- it offers prices in multiple currencies
- it usually offers price comparison with other modes of travel including flights and buses
- when visiting Europe, you can book journeys in multiple countries in one transaction.
The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.
Other Ticket Providers
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.
On journeys within Germany and on most international journeys from and to Germany on trains operated by DB:
- For journeys by the express trains, EC. IC and ICE trains an adult (on German railways an adult is a person aged 15 and over) can take up to four children aged 6 - 14 with them at no additional charge.
- Tickets need to be booked for children aged 0 - 5, but there is no charge for them.
- Those aged 65 and over can take journeys at a discounted rate.
- Dogs, which are too large to be placed in pet carriers, require tickets which cost 50% of the adult rate.
When booking both types of the discounted 'Sparpreis' tickets seat reservations are an optional extra, so need to be added when booking if you want an assigned seat(s).
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.
Save A Train Guide
Travel Information
Final Destination: Munchen Hbf
Some trains also call at: Nurnberg Hbf but newly added additional trains now also call at Stuttgart hbf, because to the south of there they can now use the newly open high speed line between Wendlingen and Ulm.
The more frequent generally hourly trains are following ICE route 41 which was designed to allow the faster journeys from Essen and Dusseldorf to München/Munich.
Calling at Koln Hbf station would require a reversal and add around 15 mins to the journey time, so these trains call at Koln Messe/Deutz station instead of the main city center station.
They take a route which is much longer than following a straight line, because they also make use of the high speed route between Nurnberg and Munchen.
So despite the extra distance travelled, in most hours they're also typically the fastest option for a Koln to Munchen journey by train.
This is a direct journey
You will be travelling on one of these trains...
Journey Features
Good to Know
These trains either reverse direction on departure from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf or from Stuttgart Hbf
Journey description:
These trains now take either a route via Nurnberg, or they take a route via Stuttgart.
The route via Nurnberg
This is a journey of seven distinct phases:
- Until Siegburg/Bonn the first part of the journey is on a conventional railway.
- On departure from Siegburg/Bonn comes the part of the journey with a wow factor, when the train spends around 40 minutes racing along the rollercoaster that is the high speed line to Frankfurt Flughafen, at more than 280 km/h.
The route via Stuttgart
This is a journey of six distinct phases
- Until Siegburg/Bonn the first part of the journey is on a conventional railway.
- On departure from Siegburg/Bonn comes the part of the journey with a wow factor, when the train spends around 40 minutes racing along the rollercoaster that is the high speed line to Frankfurt Flughafen, at more than 280 km/h.
- Between the station at Frankfurt Flughafen (airport) and Mannheim the train will be back on conventional tracks.
- On departure from Mannheim the train will then travel on the high speed line to Stuttgart,
- After departure from Stuttgart Hbf where the train will reverse direction, the train will divert off the older route at Plochingen station and will then travel through Wendlingen, after passing through there it will travel at more than 250 km/h for around 23 minutes on the brand new high speed line as far as Ulm Hbf.
6 After Ulm the train will be one again travelling on a conventional railway
Tickets
A choice of departure stations:
There are two high speed routes taken by ICE trains that travel between Koln/Cologne and Munchen/Munich:
(1) These trains, which depart from Koln Messe/Deutz station.
(2) Other trains which from Koln Hbf.
Despite the fact that these trains from Koln Messe/Deutz station don’t depart from the city’s main station (hauptbahhof/hbf); they can be a good option for a train journey from Koln/Cologne to Munchen/Munich for these reasons:
- They’re more frequent (1 or 2 x trains per hour during the day) than those trains from Koln Hbf.
- In many hours during the day, they’re the only trains from Koln/Cologne to Munchen/Munich.
- It’s a straightforward, one station journey, by local S-Bahn trains from Koln Hbf to Koln Messe/Deutz (the connection at Koln Messe/Deutz is down a staircase) or a 10 – 20 min walk from Koln Hbf.
- Many areas of central Koln/Cologne, including some of the Christmas markets, are on U-Bahn (Metro) lines to Koln Messe/Deutz that don’t call at Koln Hbf.
- They’re (generally) 15 -20 mins faster than the trains from Koln Hbf.
- They can be cheaper than the trains from Koln Hbf - the most heavily discounted tickets tend to sell out faster on the trains from Koln Hbf).
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date - but this period of time is shorter when looking up journeys in August to October.
A choice of tickets
Four types of tickets are available:
Two types of discounted tickets, which will be cheaper the further ahead you book - Sparpreis and Super Sparpreis
Two types of non-discounted ticket - Flexpreis Aktion and Flexpreis
A key difference between these types of tickets is refunds:
- Super Sparpreis tickets are cheapest, but they can't be refunded at all.
- Sparpreis tickets can be refunded for a fee, but the refund will be in the form of travel vouchers to be used for alternative / future journeys.
- Flexpreis tickets can be refunded at no additional charge.
- Flexpreis Aktion tickets can't be refunded either - but their higher cost is due to...
...the other key difference is that both types of Flexpreis tickets live up to their name, as they can be used on any departure on your travel date - in contrast, both types of Sparpreis tickets are only valid on the specific departures selected when booking,
Note that none of the tickets can be exchanged to a different departure.
There's no need for this to be available for both types of Flexpreis tickets, as they aren't train departure specific.
If you book a Sparpreis ticket and want to travel by a different departure you can refund it and then use the travel voucher towards the cost of the new booking.
Super Sparpreis tickets can't be exchanged or refunded.
When travelling to and from the major cities, the Sparpreis, Flexpreis Aktion and Flexprei tickets also include 'City tickets',, which can be used on public transport between locations in the city centre and the stations in in Köln and München..
Seat reservations
Seat reservations are optional on ICE trains for journeys within Germany.
They cost €4.90 when travelling in 2nd Class and €5.90 when travelling in 1st class.
Specific seats can be selected from seating plans - you don't have to accept the seat(s) that you will be automatically offered.
They are included within the cost of booking 1st class Flexpreis tickets and both 1st and 2nd class Flexpreis Plus tickets.
Though despite seats being automatically assigned when booking these three types of ticket - and these tickets being valid on any departure, you will need to pay to re-book the reservations, if you subsequently decide to travel on an alternative train.
So because you won't save by booking these types of tickets in advance, it can be a good idea to wait until you are sure when you will want to travel.
When booking Super Sparpreis, Sparpreis and 2nd class Flexpreis tickets, you have the option of purchasing seat reservations later.
It can be worth re-looking up a journey a week or two ahead of travel, because the DB website will indicate how busy a departure will be.
1st Class tickets
No matter what type of ticket booked, if you choose to travel 1st class, you will have access to the same seating areas on the train, ICE trains do not have Business or Executive lounges.
Though only those who have booked 1st class Flexpreis or Flexpreis Plus tickets can access the DB Lounges at the stations.
Booking on the DB website
When looking for tickets from Köln on DB Bahn type ‘K‘ or 'COLOGNE' into the ‘from‘ box *and not ‘Ko‘.
To see all the combinations of trains and journey options, some of which may be cheaper, take off the 'fastest connections' default.
Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so if you can be flexible with your departure time use the 'best prices' tool - at the top right on the list of journey options.
Route Information
Option 2: taking the faster 'Sprinter' services
Station Guides
Travel Time (approx)
3hr 51min
Frequency
Daily
Travel Info
up to 2 x trains per day
Purchase Tickets
Exclusive for New Customers: Receive a 10% discount by using the code 24NOV on any purchase with a maximum total price of £100, until 28 November 2024 (11:59 pm CET). Limit one coupon per qualifying booking. Cannot be combined, transferred or exchanged.
Omio Guide
Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.
The three key advantages of using Omio are
- it offers prices in multiple currencies
- it usually offers price comparison with other modes of travel including flights and buses
- when visiting Europe, you can book journeys in multiple countries in one transaction.
The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.
Other Ticket Providers
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.
On journeys within Germany and on most international journeys from and to Germany on trains operated by DB:
- For journeys by the express trains, EC. IC and ICE trains an adult (on German railways an adult is a person aged 15 and over) can take up to four children aged 6 - 14 with them at no additional charge.
- Tickets need to be booked for children aged 0 - 5, but there is no charge for them.
- Those aged 65 and over can take journeys at a discounted rate.
- Dogs, which are too large to be placed in pet carriers, require tickets which cost 50% of the adult rate.
When booking both types of the discounted 'Sparpreis' tickets seat reservations are an optional extra, so need to be added when booking if you want an assigned seat(s).
Save A Train Guide
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.
Travel Information
These trains will typically depart Koln Messe/Deutz at 06:29 (not Sat/Sun) and 16:29 (not Sat).
Final Destination: Munchen Hbf
The trains also call at: Nurnberg Hbf
This is a direct journey
You will be travelling on one of these trains...
Journey Features
Good to Know
These trains take a similar route to the other ICE trains which head to Munchen from Koln via Nurnberg, but aside from their fewer station calls, what makes them faster is that they don't divert off the direct route to call at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf; hence they don't reverse during the journey.
Journey description:
These trains now take either a route via Nurnberg, or they take a route via Stuttgart.
The route via Nurnberg
This is a journey of seven distinct phases:
- Until Siegburg/Bonn the first part of the journey is on a conventional railway.
- On departure from Siegburg/Bonn comes the part of the journey with a wow factor, when the train spends around 40 minutes racing along the rollercoaster that is the high speed line to Frankfurt Flughafen, at more than 280 km/h.
The route via Stuttgart
This is a journey of six distinct phases
- Until Siegburg/Bonn the first part of the journey is on a conventional railway.
- On departure from Siegburg/Bonn comes the part of the journey with a wow factor, when the train spends around 40 minutes racing along the rollercoaster that is the high speed line to Frankfurt Flughafen, at more than 280 km/h.
- Between the station at Frankfurt Flughafen (airport) and Mannheim the train will be back on conventional tracks.
- On departure from Mannheim the train will then travel on the high speed line to Stuttgart,
- After departure from Stuttgart Hbf where the train will reverse direction, the train will divert off the older route at Plochingen station and will then travel through Wendlingen, after passing through there it will travel at more than 250 km/h for around 23 minutes on the brand new high speed line as far as Ulm Hbf.
6 After Ulm the train will be one again travelling on a conventional railway
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date - but this period of time is shorter when looking up journeys in August to October.
Though what's unusual about these 'Sprinter' services is that if you book more than around 4 months ahead, you may see 'no special deals' available' on the DB website; with prices more than €100.
However, for journeys less than around 4 months ahead, you should find the €27.90 fee on some departures.
Finding Tickets:
When making an online booking, if you want to target these 'Sprinter' services, target the usual departure times of at 06:29 (not Sat/Sun) and 16:29 (not Sat) ; these trains aren't typically more expensive than the slower, regular ICE trains (when you don't see 'no special deals' listed against a departure).
A choice of tickets
Four types of tickets are available:
Two types of discounted tickets, which will be cheaper the further ahead you book - Sparpreis and Super Sparpreis
Two types of non-discounted ticket - Flexpreis and Flexpreis Plus
A key difference between these types of tickets is refunds:
- Super Sparpreis tickets are cheapest, but they can't be refunded at all.
- Sparpreis tickets can be refunded for a fee, but the refund will be in the form of travel vouchers to be used for alternative / future journeys.
- Flexpreis and Flexpreis Plus tickets can be refunded at no additional charge.
The other key difference is that both types of Sparpreis tickets are only valid on the specific departures selected when booking, but both types of Flexpreis tickets live up to their name, as they can be used on any departure on your travel date.
Note that none of the tickets can be exchanged to a different departure.
There's no need for this to be available for Flexpreis tickets, as they aren't train departure specific.
If you book a Sparpreis ticket and want to travel by a different departure you can refund it and then use the travel voucher towards the cost of the new booking.
Super Sparpreis tickets can't be exchanged or refunded.
The Sparpreis, Flexpreis and Flexpreis Plus tickets also include 'City tickets', which can be used on public transport between locations in the city centre and the stations in in Köln and München.
Seat reservations
Seat reservations are optional on ICE trains for journeys within Germany.
They cost €4.90 when travelling in 2nd Class and €5.90 when travelling in 1st class.
Specific seats can be selected from seating plans - you don't have to accept the seat(s) that you will be automatically offered.
They are included within the cost of booking 1st class Flexpreis tickets and both 1st and 2nd class Flexpreis Plus tickets.
When booking Super Sparpreis, Sparpreis and 2nd class Flexpreis tickets, you have the option of purchasing seat reservations later.
It can be worth re-looking up a journey a week or two ahead of travel, because the DB website will indicate how busy a departure will be.
1st Class tickets
No matter what type of ticket booked, if you choose to travel 1st class, you will have access to the same seating areas on the train, ICE trains do not have Business or Executive lounges.
Though only those who have booked 1st class Flexpreis or Flexpreis Plus tickets can access the DB Lounges at the stations.
Booking on the DB website
When looking for tickets from Köln on DB Bahn type ‘K‘ or 'COLOGNE' into the ‘from‘ box *and not ‘Ko‘.
Route Information
Option 3: taking an ICE train from Koln Hbf
Station Guides
Travel Time (approx)
4hr 35 min (approx) from Koln Hbf
Frequency
Daily
Travel Info
6 x trains per day
Is the journey from Cologne / Köln to Munich / München direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.
Is this journey option scenic?
It's pleasant rather than spectacular, though there are some dramatic views from the high speed line between Siegburg/Bonn and Frankfurt Flughafen.
What other tourist locations are along this route from Cologne / Köln to Munich / München?
These trains also call in Stuttgart and Ulm
When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at München Hbf from Köln Hbf on this journey option?
Before 10:30 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable
How easy is it to travel on from the station in Munich / München?
Frequent local (S-Bahn) trains travel on to the city centre and multiple tram and metro lines are also available - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighbourhood.
When is the usual approximate latest departure from Köln Hbf to München Hbf on this journey option
Before 20:00 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable
How easy is it to get to the station in Cologne / Köln?
Köln Hbf is conveniently located in the city centre - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighborhood..
Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these Cologne / Köln to Munich / München trains?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' to access guides to how rail tickets are managed in Germany, plus step-by-step guides on how to make a booking.
How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for these Cologne / Köln to Munich / München trains?
It can be up to 6 months ahead of the travel date; though the booking period will be typically be shorter when looking up journeys for travel after the second Sunday in December; and when looking up summer travel in March to May.
What are the child ticket terms for these Cologne / Köln to Munich / München trains?
Adults (aged 15 and over) purchasing discounted 'Sparschiene' tickets for travel in either First or Second class, can take up to four children (aged 14 and under) at no additional cost.
Does the ticket for these Cologne / Köln to Munich / München trains include assigned seats?
Only when booking the most expensive types of ticket = Flexpreise tickets for travel in 1st class.
So they are not included when booking tickets for travel in 2nd class, or any other type of ticket valid for travel in 1st class
They are available, so they can be added for an additional cost, when booking those types of ticket.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train.
Do rail pass users need to book reservations for these Cologne / Köln to Munich / München trains?
They are optional, but are recommended for travel at:
- business hours,
- Fridays after midday
- Sundays after midday
See [*the rail pass guide
Is catering available on these Cologne / Köln to Munich / München trains?
Yes, there is a bar/bistro car and a restaurant car.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information.
What else is good to know about German rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Germany
Purchase Tickets
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
Trainline Guide
Other Ticket Providers
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.
On journeys within Germany and on most international journeys from and to Germany on trains operated by DB:
- For journeys by the express trains, EC. IC and ICE trains an adult (on German railways an adult is a person aged 15 and over) can take up to four children aged 6 - 14 with them at no additional charge.
- Tickets need to be booked for children aged 0 - 5, but there is no charge for them.
- Those aged 65 and over can take journeys at a discounted rate.
- Dogs, which are too large to be placed in pet carriers, require tickets which cost 50% of the adult rate.
When booking both types of the discounted 'Sparpreis' tickets seat reservations are an optional extra, so need to be added when booking if you want an assigned seat(s).
Save A Train Guide
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.
Travel Information
Note that these trains depart from Koln Hbf, which is the main city center station in Koln.
There are two routes taken by ICE trains that travel between Koln/Cologne and Munchen/Munich:
(1) These trains, which travel via Stuttgart (usually) and depart from Koln Hbf.
(2) Other, more frequent trains wdepart from Koln Messe/Deutz.
Those trains from Koln Messe/Deutz can also be cheaper.
Koln Messe/Deutz station is located on the opposite bank of The Rhine to the city centre (and from Koln Hbf).
Final Destination: Munchen Hbf
All trains also call at:** Stuttgart,; Ulm and Augsburg
Most trains also call at:** Munchen-Passing
Some of the departures on this route via Stuttgart are by the new ICE 4 trains.
This is a direct journey
You will be travelling on one of these trains...
Journey Features
Good to Know
These trains reverse direction on departure from Stuttgart.
Journey description:
This is a journey of five distinct phases:
- Until Siegburg/Bonn the first part of the journey is on a conventional railway.
- On departure from Siegburg/Bonn comes the part of the journey with a wow factor, when the train spends around 40 minutes racing along the rollercoaster that is the high speed line to Frankfurt Flughafen, at more than 280 km/h.
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Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date - but this period of time is shorter when looking up journeys in August to October.
*Finding tickets:
If you specifically want to take these trains from Koln Hbf, then when looking up schedules or ticket prices, enter ‘Köln Hbf’ into the ‘From’ box; cut and paste that text, you'll need the special character over the 'o' when looking up this specific journey.
Do that, then on DB (the German national railways website) most of the journeys you will see involve making connections; many of these options will involve making connections into the ICE trains from Koln Messe/Deutz.
Though if you enter ‘COLOGNE’ into the ‘From’ box when looking up schedules or ticket price, you will also see the direct trains from Koln Messe/Deutz.
A choice of tickets
Four types of tickets are available:
Two types of discounted tickets, which will be cheaper the further ahead you book - Sparpreis and Super Sparpreis
Two types of non-discounted ticket - Flexpreis Aktion and Flexpreis
A key difference between these types of tickets is refunds:
- Super Sparpreis tickets are cheapest, but they can't be refunded at all.
- Sparpreis tickets can be refunded for a fee, but the refund will be in the form of travel vouchers to be used for alternative / future journeys.
- Flexpreis tickets can be refunded at no additional charge.
- Flexpreis Aktion tickets can't be refunded either - but their higher cost is due to...
...the other key difference is that both types of Flexpreis tickets live up to their name, as they can be used on any departure on your travel date - in contrast, both types of Sparpreis tickets are only valid on the specific departures selected when booking,
Note that none of the tickets can be exchanged to a different departure.
There's no need for this to be available for both types of Flexpreis tickets, as they aren't train departure specific.
If you book a Sparpreis ticket and want to travel by a different departure you can refund it and then use the travel voucher towards the cost of the new booking.
Super Sparpreis tickets can't be exchanged or refunded.
When travelling to and from the major cities, the Sparpreis, Flexpreis Aktion and Flexpreis tickets also include 'City tickets', which can be used on public transport between locations in the city centre and the stations in Köln and München.
Seat reservations
Seat reservations are optional on ICE trains for journeys within Germany.
They cost €4.90 when travelling in 2nd Class and €5.90 when travelling in 1st class.
Specific seats can be selected from seating plans - you don't have to accept the seat(s) that you will be automatically offered.
They are included within the cost of booking 1st class Flexpreis tickets and both 1st and 2nd class Flexpreis Plus tickets.
Booking on the DB website
When looking for tickets from Köln on DB Bahn type ‘K‘ or 'COLOGNE' into the ‘from‘ box *and not ‘Ko‘.
To see all the combinations of trains and journey options, some of which may be cheaper, take off the 'fastest connections' default.
Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so if you can be flexible with your departure time use the 'best prices' tool - at the top right on the list of journey options.
Route Information
Option 4: the more scenic route
Station Guides
Travel Time (approx)
6hr 10min (approx)
Frequency
Daily
Travel Info
1 x EC train train per day
Purchase Tickets
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.
On journeys within Germany and on most international journeys from and to Germany on trains operated by DB:
- For journeys by the express trains, EC. IC and ICE trains an adult (on German railways an adult is a person aged 15 and over) can take up to four children aged 6 - 14 with them at no additional charge.
- Tickets need to be booked for children aged 0 - 5, but there is no charge for them.
- Those aged 65 and over can take journeys at a discounted rate.
- Dogs, which are too large to be placed in pet carriers, require tickets which cost 50% of the adult rate.
When booking both types of the discounted 'Sparpreis' tickets seat reservations are an optional extra, so need to be added when booking if you want an assigned seat(s).
Travel Information
Final Destination: Klagenfurt
Taking can cheaper than the much faster high speed services, but the primary criteria for choosing it are the views of the The Rhine Gorge,
This is a direct journey
You will be travelling on one of these trains...
Journey Features
Good to Know
This train reverses direction in Stuttgart.
Journey description:
Sit on the left on the train (when facing the direction of travel), the train will initially head north before looping around the city to reach the west bank of the River Rhine.
You can then see the stunning views of the Upper Rhine Valley between Koblenz and Bingen.
Tickets
This daily direct train is usually scheduled to depart from Koln/Cologne at 08:17, so target that time when looking up this journey
However, due to the length of the journey, this train departure is particularly susceptible to cancellation or alteration due to works on the line.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date - but this period of time is shorter when looking up journeys in August to October.
Route Information
Option 5: overnight on an ICE train
Station Guides
Travel Time (approx)
7hr 33min (usually)
Frequency
Nightly
Travel Info
1 x train per night
Purchase Tickets
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
Trainline Guide
Other Ticket Providers
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.
On journeys within Germany and on most international journeys from and to Germany on trains operated by DB:
- For journeys by the express trains, EC. IC and ICE trains an adult (on German railways an adult is a person aged 15 and over) can take up to four children aged 6 - 14 with them at no additional charge.
- Tickets need to be booked for children aged 0 - 5, but there is no charge for them.
- Those aged 65 and over can take journeys at a discounted rate.
- Dogs, which are too large to be placed in pet carriers, require tickets which cost 50% of the adult rate.
When booking both types of the discounted 'Sparpreis' tickets seat reservations are an optional extra, so need to be added when booking if you want an assigned seat(s).
Travel Information
The first of the daytime ICE trains from Koln/Cologne is usually scheduled to arrive in Munchen/Munich at 10:27, but this overnight ICE train is usually scheduled to arrive at 06:03.
It is a faster option for an overnight train journey Koln/Cologne to Munchen/Munich, than the alternative Nightjet train.
It is scheduled to arrive in Munchen/Munich more than an hour ahead of the Nightjet; and it is also usually scheduled to depart from Koln/Cologne 15 mins after the Nightjet.
But unlike the Nightjet train it doesn't convey sleeping cabins or couchettes.
It is the same type of ICE train that's used on those daytime services, so only seats are available on this overnight train ride.
Final Destination: Munchen
The train also calls at: Seigburg/Bonn
This is a direct journey
You will be travelling on one of these trains...
Journey Features
Good to Know
It is (much) slower than the daytime ICE trains because it makes more station calls - it is 21 stops from Cologne to Munich if you take this train.
Tickets
**This train usually departs from Koln Hbf at 22:30 so target that time when looking up this journey.
It can be cheaper than the OBB Nightjet train (option 5) - though when comparing prices, note that the initial price shown for NJ train will be for the ordinary seats and not the couchette berths or sleeping cabins.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
The ticketing terms are the same as when taking the daytime ICE trains.
Route Information
Option 6: overnight on the Nightjet sleeper train
Station Guides
Travel Time (approx)
8hr 55min (approx)
Frequency
Nightly
Travel Info
1 x train per night
Purchase Tickets
OBB Guide
OBB is the national rail operator and its booking service offers journeys by express trains within Austria, as well as international journeys which don't involve making a connection outside of Austria.
It pays off to book online, as the discounted 'Sparscheine' tickets are only ever made available on the website, and when making international journeys to and from Austria, these Sparscheine tickets tend to be cheaper.
OBB can offer particularly good value for money when travelling with children on international rail journeys, but something to watch out for when travelling between Austria and Germany on daytime trains, is that reservations are an optional extra; but if you book 1st class tickets with the Germany railways website DB, the reservations are complimentary.
OBB often takes a unique approach to its booking path, but a key thing to keep in mind is that the first price you will see for any journey is that of a Second Class seat.
The costs of upgrading to first class, a reservation, or a sleeping cabin etc, is then added to this price.
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.
Travel Information
Final Destination: Innsbruck
This train is usually scheduled to depart from Köln Hbf at 22:16 and arrive in Munchen Hbf at 07:11 so it's more than an hour slower than the alternative overnight ICE train.
However, it is the only option if you want to travel overnight between the two cities in bunk in a couchette, or a bed in a sleeping cabin.
That overnight ICE train is no different to the ICE trains used for the daytime journeys.
Though if you're prepared to make the overnight journey from Koln/Cologne to Munich/Munchen in a seat, you may as well take that ICE train.
If you will be travelling overnight with a rail pass, you also won't have to reserve if you take that ICE train.
This is a direct journey
You will be travelling on one of these trains...
Journey Features
Good to Know
The coaches heading to Innsbruck via Munchen will be joined to another part of the train, which will be heading to Wien.
If you see a train heading to Wien on the departure screens then the info will also apply if you are travelling to Innsbruck.
Don't be concerned about boarding the wrong part of the train, your reservations will be in coaches that will be heading to Munchen.
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open:
6 months ahead of the travel date on OBB
3 months ahead of the travel date on DB
This train is usually scheduled to depart from Köln Hbf around 22:15, so target that departure time when looking up this journey.
The choice of accommodation - summary:
- 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
Click the train details for more info including the rail pass reservation fees:
The first price you will see on the OBB ticketing site will be for the compartment seats.
Travelling with a rail pass:
Rail pass users must reserve before boarding this train.
However, these rail pass reservations can NO longer be booked online the DB website, but 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.
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