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How to get from Antwerp to Cologne
The fastest way from Antwerp to Cologne is by train with a change in Brussels: about 35–50 minutes to Brussels, then a high-speed train of about 1 h 50 to Köln Hbf, roughly 3 h door to door. Driving takes about 2 h 30–3 h, and long-distance buses are the cheapest option.
Best option: Train. The high-speed train from Brussels to Köln Hbf arrives right next to Cologne Cathedral and avoids motorway traffic around Antwerp and Brussels.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| train Train from Antwerpen-Centraal to Brussels-Midi/Zuid, then a high-speed ICE or Eurostar train to Köln Hbf | about 2 h 45–3 h 15 including the change | Brussels–Cologne high-speed trains roughly every 1–2 hours | about €30–90 depending on how early you book | Cheapest fares are on fixed trains booked in advance; allow at least 15–20 min to change in Brussels. |
| car E313 motorway towards Hasselt and Liège, then E40/A4 via Aachen to Cologne | about 2 h 30–3 h | fuel only; no motorway tolls for cars in Belgium or Germany | Antwerp and Cologne both have low-emission zones: foreign cars must be registered for Antwerp and need a green sticker (Umweltplakette) in Cologne. | |
| bus Long-distance coaches such as FlixBus from Antwerp to Cologne | about 3 h 30–4 h 30 | a few a day | about €15–35 | Slowest and most affected by traffic jams, but usually the cheapest. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Book the Brussels–Cologne high-speed leg early; prices rise as the date approaches.
- Köln Hbf is directly beside the cathedral, so you need no transport on arrival for the old town.
- If you drive, buy the Cologne green emission sticker before you go; it is cheap but required in the environmental zone.
- Avoid driving the Antwerp ring and Brussels area in rush hour.
Common questions
Is there a direct train from Antwerp to Cologne?
Generally not; the usual journey changes at Brussels-Midi/Zuid, where ICE and Eurostar high-speed trains leave for Köln Hbf. The Antwerp–Brussels leg takes about 35–50 minutes and trains run very often. Through tickets are available from Belgian and German rail sites. Check current timetables, as international services change with each timetable year.
What is the cheapest way from Antwerp to Cologne?
Usually a long-distance bus, which can cost about €15–35 if booked a few days ahead, though it takes 3 h 30 or more. Advance high-speed train fares from Brussels can also be low if you book weeks in advance and accept a fixed train. Driving is cheap for a group, since there are no tolls for cars on the route.
How long does it take to drive from Antwerp to Cologne?
About 2 h 30 to 3 hours for roughly 230 km, via the E313 towards Hasselt and Liège and then through Aachen on the E40/A4. Traffic around Antwerp and at the Cologne ring can add time. There are no car tolls, but you need a green emission sticker for central Cologne and must register a foreign car for Antwerp’s low-emission zone.
Can I do Cologne as a day trip from Antwerp?
Yes, if you start early. With about 3 hours each way by train you get six hours or so in Cologne, enough for the cathedral, the old town and a Rhine walk. Book the high-speed legs ahead for the best fares, and check the last good connection back from Brussels to Antwerp.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.