Bus Cologne to Hamburg - Compare all Companies

Compare all timetables for the bus from Cologne to Hamburg

Here is a selection of the cheapest bus trips from the schedule from Cologne to Hamburg from various bus operators like Deutsche Bahn or Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft) for the next days.

today

$45

tomorrow

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

$52

Thursday

$60

Friday

$56

Cheapest bus trips today
BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName	Duration	Departure time	From	Departure	Arrival time	To	Destination	Seat classes	Price
Deutsche Bahn	4h 20m	7:54 PM	Cologne	Central Station	12:14 AM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$45	A Bus from Deutsche Bahn goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/15/2025 7:54:00 PM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/16/2025 12:14:00 AM. 50 First Class ticket for $45 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 20m
Deutsche Bahn	4h 38m	6:17 PM	Cologne	Central Station	10:55 PM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$59	A Bus from Deutsche Bahn goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/15/2025 6:17:00 PM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/15/2025 10:55:00 PM. 50 First Class ticket for $59 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 38m
Deutsche Bahn	4h 17m	12:57 PM	Cologne	Central Station	5:14 PM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$68	A Bus from Deutsche Bahn goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/15/2025 12:57:00 PM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/15/2025 5:14:00 PM. 50 First Class ticket for $68 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 17m
Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft)	4h 11m	7:03 AM	Cologne	Central Station	11:14 AM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$78	A Bus from Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft) goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/15/2025 7:03:00 AM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/15/2025 11:14:00 AM. 50 First Class ticket for $78 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 11m
Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft)	4h 44m	7:21 PM	Cologne	Central Station	12:05 AM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$93	A Bus from Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft) goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/15/2025 7:21:00 PM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/16/2025 12:05:00 AM. 50 First Class ticket for $93 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 44m

Did you know that if you travel from Cologne to Hamburg via Leverkusen, you can save more than $30? You will find the corresponding connections below.
- FlixBus
  
  Save more than 67%
  
  7h 15m
  
  Cologne
  
  8 mi
  
  7:35 AM
  
  Leverkusen
  Central Station
  
  2:50 PM
  
  Hamburg
  Central Bus Station
  
  0 mi
  
  Economy
  
  $15
  
  A Bus from FlixBus goes from Central Station, Leverkusen (Germany) at 11/15/2025 7:35:00 AM to Central Bus Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/15/2025 2:50:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $15 per person are available. Travel duration is 7h 15m

Cheapest bus trips Wednesday
BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName	Duration	Departure time	From	Departure	Arrival time	To	Destination	Seat classes	Price
Deutsche Bahn	4h 20m	7:54 PM	Cologne	Central Station	12:14 AM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$52	A Bus from Deutsche Bahn goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/19/2025 7:54:00 PM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/20/2025 12:14:00 AM. 50 First Class ticket for $52 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 20m
Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft)	4h 25m	6:49 AM	Cologne	Central Station	11:14 AM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$58	A Bus from Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft) goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/19/2025 6:49:00 AM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/19/2025 11:14:00 AM. 50 First Class ticket for $58 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 25m
Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft)	4h 37m	7:21 AM	Cologne	Central Station	11:58 AM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$60	A Bus from Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft) goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/19/2025 7:21:00 AM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/19/2025 11:58:00 AM. 50 First Class ticket for $60 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 37m
Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft)	4h 32m	1:21 PM	Cologne	Central Station	5:53 PM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$60	A Bus from Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft) goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/19/2025 1:21:00 PM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/19/2025 5:53:00 PM. 50 First Class ticket for $60 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 32m
Deutsche Bahn	4h 20m	7:54 AM	Cologne	Central Station	12:14 PM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$68	A Bus from Deutsche Bahn goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/19/2025 7:54:00 AM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/19/2025 12:14:00 PM. 50 First Class ticket for $68 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 20m

Did you know that if you travel from Cologne to Hamburg via Leverkusen, you can save more than $28? You will find the corresponding connections below.
- FlixBus
  
  Save more than 54%
  
  9h 25m
  
  Cologne
  
  8 mi
  
  10:10 PM
  
  Leverkusen
  Central Station
  
  7:35 AM
  
  Hamburg
  Central Bus Station
  
  0 mi
  
  Economy
  
  $24
  
  A Bus from FlixBus goes from Central Station, Leverkusen (Germany) at 11/19/2025 10:10:00 PM to Central Bus Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/20/2025 7:35:00 AM. 50 Economy ticket for $24 per person are available. Travel duration is 9h 25m

Cheapest bus trips Thursday
BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName	Duration	Departure time	From	Departure	Arrival time	To	Destination	Seat classes	Price
Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft)	4h 37m	7:21 AM	Cologne	Central Station	11:58 AM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$60	A Bus from Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft) goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/20/2025 7:21:00 AM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/20/2025 11:58:00 AM. 50 First Class ticket for $60 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 37m
Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft)	4h 32m	1:21 PM	Cologne	Central Station	5:53 PM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$72	A Bus from Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft) goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/20/2025 1:21:00 PM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/20/2025 5:53:00 PM. 50 First Class ticket for $72 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 32m
Deutsche Bahn	4h 20m	7:54 AM	Cologne	Central Station	12:14 PM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$73	A Bus from Deutsche Bahn goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/20/2025 7:54:00 AM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/20/2025 12:14:00 PM. 50 First Class ticket for $73 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 20m
Deutsche Bahn	4h 17m	1:57 PM	Cologne	Central Station	6:14 PM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$73	A Bus from Deutsche Bahn goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/20/2025 1:57:00 PM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/20/2025 6:14:00 PM. 50 First Class ticket for $73 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 17m
Deutsche Bahn	4h 17m	6:38 PM	Cologne	Central Station	10:55 PM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$78	A Bus from Deutsche Bahn goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/20/2025 6:38:00 PM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/20/2025 10:55:00 PM. 50 First Class ticket for $78 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 17m

Did you know that if you travel from Cologne to Hamburg via Leverkusen, you can save more than $46? You will find the corresponding connections below.
- FlixBus
  
  Save more than 77%
  
  7h 15m
  
  Cologne
  
  8 mi
  
  7:35 AM
  
  Leverkusen
  Central Station
  
  2:50 PM
  
  Hamburg
  Central Bus Station
  
  0 mi
  
  Economy
  
  $14
  
  A Bus from FlixBus goes from Central Station, Leverkusen (Germany) at 11/20/2025 7:35:00 AM to Central Bus Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/20/2025 2:50:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $14 per person are available. Travel duration is 7h 15m

Cheapest bus trips Friday
BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName	Duration	Departure time	From	Departure	Arrival time	To	Destination	Seat classes	Price
Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft)	4h 44m	7:21 PM	Cologne	Central Station	12:05 AM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$56	A Bus from Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft) goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/21/2025 7:21:00 PM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/22/2025 12:05:00 AM. 50 First Class ticket for $56 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 44m
Deutsche Bahn	4h 22m	6:54 PM	Cologne	Central Station	11:16 PM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$82	A Bus from Deutsche Bahn goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/21/2025 6:54:00 PM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/21/2025 11:16:00 PM. 50 First Class ticket for $82 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 22m
Deutsche Bahn	4h 18m	6:37 AM	Cologne	Central Station	10:55 AM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$99	A Bus from Deutsche Bahn goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/21/2025 6:37:00 AM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/21/2025 10:55:00 AM. 50 First Class ticket for $99 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 18m
Deutsche Bahn	4h 18m	6:37 PM	Cologne	Central Station	10:55 PM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$103	A Bus from Deutsche Bahn goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/21/2025 6:37:00 PM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/21/2025 10:55:00 PM. 50 First Class ticket for $103 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 18m
Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft)	4h 32m	1:21 PM	Cologne	Central Station	5:53 PM	Hamburg	Central Station	First Class	$109	A Bus from Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft) goes from Central Station, Cologne (Germany) at 11/21/2025 1:21:00 PM to Central Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/21/2025 5:53:00 PM. 50 First Class ticket for $109 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 32m

Did you know that if you travel from Cologne to Hamburg via Leverkusen, you can save more than $41? You will find the corresponding connections below.
- FlixBus
  
  Save more than 73%
  
  7h 15m
  
  Cologne
  
  8 mi
  
  7:35 AM
  
  Leverkusen
  Central Station
  
  2:50 PM
  
  Hamburg
  Central Bus Station
  
  0 mi
  
  Economy
  
  $15
  
  A Bus from FlixBus goes from Central Station, Leverkusen (Germany) at 11/21/2025 7:35:00 AM to Central Bus Station, Hamburg (Germany) arriving at 11/21/2025 2:50:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $15 per person are available. Travel duration is 7h 15m

Best Price Offer: The price for the cheapest bus from Cologne to Hamburg is $18 on 11/25/2025. Flexible travelers save on ticket prices.

Frequency of bus connections between Cologne and Hamburg

See here how frequent the connections between Cologne and Hamburg are, during different times and days of the week.

Wednesday is the busiest day, with more than 23 daily buses from Cologne to Hamburg. Thursday has instead the fewest connections, with only 19 daily coaches between Cologne and Hamburg.

The busiest time of the day is the Afternoon, with 30 buses from Cologne to Hamburg, while Evening sees the fewest connections between Cologne and Hamburg, with 24 offers.

Facts about the bus from Cologne to Hamburg

Compare all providers like Deutsche Bahn and Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft) that travel 20 times every day by bus from Cologne to Hamburg in one click! Book your bus ticket from Cologne to Hamburg starting from $18!

Cheapest Bus	$18
Fastest Bus	3h 36m
Earliest Bus	7:03 AM
Latest Bus	7:21 PM
Daily Bus Routes	20 Ø
Distance	221.6 miles
Bus Companies	Deutsche Bahn and Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft)

Cheapest bus connections from Cologne to Hamburg

Every day, 20 buses from 2 bus companies leave Cologne for Hamburg: in the table below, you will find the cheapest prices for a bus ticket for this route, starting from 11/15/2025 and for the following days.

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday 11/09

Monday 11/10

Tuesday 11/11

Wednesday 11/12

Thursday 11/13

Friday 11/14

Saturday 11/15

$21

Sunday 11/16

$27

Monday 11/17

Tuesday 11/18

Wednesday 11/19

$26

Thursday 11/20

$21

Friday 11/21

$39

Saturday 11/22

$26

Sunday 11/23

$30

Monday 11/24

$21

Tuesday 11/25

$18

Wednesday 11/26

Thursday 11/27

$18

Friday 11/28

$33

Saturday 11/29

Sunday 11/30

Monday 12/01

Tuesday 12/02

Wednesday 12/03

$21

Thursday 12/04

Friday 12/05

Saturday 12/06

The cheapest time to travel from Cologne to Hamburg

See here on which day and which time of the day you can find the cheapest bus ticket from Cologne to Hamburg, for the next 30 days.

With a price starting from $18, Thursday is the cheapest day for a bus from Cologne to Hamburg. Friday instead is the most expensive day with prices starting from $33.

Evening is the cheapest day time for bus tickets from Cologne to Hamburg, with $45. Afternoon is the most expensive time of the day with prices starting from $60.

How to save money travelling from Cologne to Hamburg

Travel can be expensive, but it doesn't need to be! Do you want to avoid paying a terrible price for your trip? Then follow these quick steps to save money:

Book the ticket from Cologne to Hamburg in advance! The earlier you book, the cheaper usually the price is. Also, you will be sure to have a place on the bus from Cologne to Hamburg, compared instead if you buy it at the last moment, or directly at the station.

If you can, avoid travelling at peak times. Instead of weekend, try travelling during the week. Travelling in the evening or at night it’s also cheaper, and later buses from Cologne to Hamburg are also emptier.

All bus stations and stops in Cologne and Hamburg

In the map below, you can see where to find all bus stations in Cologne and Hamburg.

Central Bus Station

Breslauer Platz

Poststr. Bus Stop

Gummersbacher Str. Bus Stop

Gummersbacher Str

Venloer Str./Gürtel Bus Stop

Refrath Bus Stop

Wickenpfädchen 11

Central Bus Station

Adenauerallee 78

Central Station

Hachmannplatz 16

Altona Train Station

Scheel-Plessen-Str. 17

Reeperbahn Bus Stop

Harburg Bus Stop

Compare the bus with other modes of transport

The bus is often the cheapest mode of transport, while other modes like train or flight are faster. Looking for quicker alternatives to travel from Cologne to Hamburg? Compare all modes of transports from Cologne to Hamburg.

Service and Comfort on the bus from Cologne to Hamburg

Want to know which seat classes are available on the buses from Cologne to Hamburg? Or which bus companies serve the route Cologne to Hamburg? Below you will find answers to your questions.

FAQs about the Cologne to Hamburg bus

How much does a Cologne Hamburg bus trip cost?

This depends on, among other things, the day and time of travel. The cheapest trip is available from $18 and takes 4h 20m to reach Hamburg. Compare offers to save money!

How much could I save by comparing buses from Cologne to Hamburg?

This route is offered by 2 companies with a range of ticket prices between $18 and $158. Thus, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to make sure you get the cheapest bus ticket to Hamburg.

On average, how many connections are available from Cologne to Hamburg each day?

Every day, the Cologne to Hamburg bus route is served by approximately 20 connections. With our search, you can compare bus times to find the perfect trip.

How long does a bus journey from Cologne to Hamburg take?

The fastest bus from Cologne to Hamburg is offered by Deutsche Bahn and takes 3h 36m. Bus tickets for this connection cost $117. In this context, bear in mind that the journey can take longer due to traffic.

What time is the first bus from Cologne to Hamburg?

The earliest bus arriving in Hamburg from Cologne starts at 7:03 AM. However, information regarding departure times may differ on weekends and holidays. Simply use our search to find exact times for your planned travel date.

What time is the last bus from Cologne to Hamburg?

The latest bus trip departing from Cologne for Hamburg starts at 7:21 PM. Please note that departure times may differ on weekends and holidays. So just use our search to find the exact times for your planned travel date.

Which bus companies operate the Cologne Hamburg route?

When traveling by bus from Cologne to Hamburg, passengers can travel with Deutsche Bahn and Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft). With our search, you can compare all available bus tickets to book the one that works for you.

Is there a direct bus between Cologne and Hamburg?

You can check all the direct connections between Cologne and Hamburg by using our search and looking at the Changes section in our filters. These are some of the companies which offer a direct bus: Deutsche Bahn and Regional Express (Fluggesellschaft).

What can I take with me on the Cologne to Hamburg bus route?

Depending on which provider you travel with, what you're allowed to bring with you can vary. Generally, you can take a suitcase and hand luggage with you on the Cologne Hamburg bus route free of charge. Simply use our search to find a bus that is best suited to your needs for your planned travel date.

What equipment is available for the Cologne Hamburg bus route?

The equipment on board differs depending on the provider. However, many long-distance buses have WiFi so you can tell your friends your exact location during the journey. To make traveling even more pleasant, air conditioning systems provide ventilation. It is best to use our search to get precise information about the equipment of the bus from Cologne to Hamburg on your planned travel date.

Available seat classes which are offered on the bus route Cologne to Hamburg

First Class

Best of the best: you will find the most comfortable accommodation to work or relax during your travel.

More bus routes to Cologne and to Hamburg

Here’s an overview of the most popular bus routes to Cologne and to Hamburg. Simply click on the connection of your choice, and you will find all the details about your bus route!