How can I travel from Rotterdam to Cologne without a car?

You can take a bus or a train to go from Rotterdam to Cologne. Either way you choose, you'll be sure to reach your destination in the most practical and sustainable way. Another option you should consider is using carpooling services, which allow you to share a car ride with other travelers.

How long does it take to get to Cologne from Rotterdam by bus?

On average, the trip from Rotterdam to Cologne takes around 5h 30m, although the minimum time it takes to get there is 4h 25m with the fastest bus. This is the time it takes to travel the 127 miles (204 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the travel distance from Rotterdam to Cologne?

The distance separating Rotterdam and Cologne is 127 miles (204 km).

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Rotterdam to Cologne?

The majority of buses traveling from Rotterdam to Cologne start their journey at Busstation Rotterdam Centraal and wind up at Cologne/Bonn Airport. These are the most popular pick-up and drop-off locations on this route, but you could find others that could be a better fit for your travel plans.

What is the most cost-effective way to go from Rotterdam to Cologne?

Go for the bus if you want the most economical way to travel this route. The lowest price for the bus on this route is $7.

How much are the bus tickets from Rotterdam to Cologne?

You can expect to pay around $30 for a bus ticket. Over the last 30 days, the prices ranged between $7 and $115, so make sure to compare them to get the best option.

What are the best sights and things to do in Cologne?

Once in Cologne, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Cologne cable cars, Twelve Romanesque churches, Cologne Cathedral, Lanxess Arena and Cologne Zoo.

Is there an overnight bus from Rotterdam to Cologne?

Certainly! You can indeed opt for an overnight bus from Rotterdam to Cologne. Don't forget to bring a snack and a blanket to help you stay comfortable through the night.

Rotterdam to Cologne Bus Tickets

TodayMay 20

from $21

TomorrowMay 21

ThuMay 22

FriMay 23

from $21

SatMay 24

from $20

SunMay 25

from $15

MonMay 26

TueMay 27

Next departures to Cologne

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest + Fastest
Departure time: May 23 at 3:15pm
Departure city: Rotterdam
Departure location: Rotterdam Bus Stop
Arrival time: May 23 at 7:40pm
Destination city: Cologne
Destination location: Terminál 2
Operated by: RegioJet
Vehicle: BusDuration: 4h 25m
Departure time: May 23 at 11:25am
Departure city: Rotterdam
Departure location: Rotterdam Centraal Station
Arrival time: May 23 at 10:15pm
Destination city: Cologne
Destination location: Cologne/Bonn Airport
Operated by: BlaBlaCar Bus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 10h 50m
Departure time: May 23 at 5:20am
Departure city: Rotterdam
Departure location: Rotterdam CS
Arrival time: May 23 at 11:10am
Destination city: Cologne
Destination location: Flughafen Köln/Bonn Airport (CGN)
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 5h 50m
Departure time: May 23 at 8:50am
Departure city: Rotterdam
Departure location: Rotterdam CS
Arrival time: May 23 at 1:45pm
Destination city: Cologne
Destination location: Hbf
Operated by: Flixbus + Flixtrain
Flixbus + Flixtrain
Vehicle: BusDuration: 4h 55m
Departure time: May 23 at 9:25am
Departure city: Rotterdam
Departure location: Rotterdam CS
Arrival time: May 23 at 2:05pm
Destination city: Cologne
Destination location: Flughafen Köln/Bonn Airport (CGN)
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 4h 40m

Accepted payments

Compare 3 ways to go from Rotterdam to Cologne.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$7 - $115	Average Duration5h 30m	CO₂ emissions 5kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	CheapestMost eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$25 - $154	Average Duration3h 24m	CO₂ emissions 5kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars
Carpool	Average Price$14 - $39	Average Duration3h	CO₂ emissions 9kg CO₂e4 out of 5 stars	Fastest

Busbud recommends carpooling from Rotterdam to Cologne

Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as the good way to reach Cologne. The journey takes about 3 hours and with fares starting at just $14, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

3carpool per day

3hAverage Duration

$14Cheapest ticket

9kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Rotterdam to Cologne: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$30

Average bus trip duration5h 30m

Number of daily buses5

Earliest bus departure5:20am

Distance125 miles (201 km)

Latest bus departure11:35pm

Compare bus companies

FlixBus

3.5/58,689 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.6

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

RegioJet

4/51,022 reviews

Staff4.4

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.4

Wifi3.8

Union Ivkoni

2.5/51,861 reviews

Staff2.8

Timeliness2.7

Cleanliness2.6

Wifi0.8

BlaBlaCar Bus

3.5/510,234 reviews

Staff4.4

Timeliness3.7

Cleanliness4.3

Wifi2.5

DE bus companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, Sindbad, RegioJet, Ecolines, FlixTrain, KLR Bus

Rotterdam to Cologne Bus

Busbud helps you find a bus from Rotterdam to Cologne. Get the best fare and schedule, book a round trip ticket or find buses with WiFi and electrical outlets.

We make it our job to connect you with the most dependable bus companies that cover bus service from Rotterdam to Cologne.

Whether it is cheap bus tickets or more luxurious buses going to Cologne from Rotterdam, we help you find what you're looking for based on how much of a budget you have.

Where are the popular stops in Rotterdam and Cologne?

Stops in Rotterdam

A - Busstation Rotterdam Centraal

B - Rotterdam Bushaltestelle

C - Weena - Rotterdam

D - Willemsplein 0 - Rotterdam

E - Rosestraat 1101

F - Weena

Stops in Cologne

A - Cologne/Bonn Airport

B - Hbf

C - Gummersbacher Str.

D - Riehl Zoo

E - Leverkusen Mitte

F - Rhein Energie Stadion

Frequently asked questions for your trip Rotterdam - Cologne

How can I travel from Rotterdam to Cologne without a car?
How long does it take to get to Cologne from Rotterdam by bus?
What is the travel distance from Rotterdam to Cologne?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Rotterdam to Cologne?
What is the most cost-effective way to go from Rotterdam to Cologne?
How much are the bus tickets from Rotterdam to Cologne?
What are the best sights and things to do in Cologne?
Is there an overnight bus from Rotterdam to Cologne?

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

05/18

$30

05/19

$21

Today

$18

05/21

$21

05/22

$21

05/23

$21

05/24

$19

05/25

$16

The cheapest trip from Rotterdam to Cologne was searched and found on May 25, 2025 with a price of $16

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Rotterdam to Cologne, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $16 to $73 for a bus ticket from Rotterdam to Cologne based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $16 which is on 2025-05-25.

Usually Comuto Pro (BlaBlaCar Bus), Flixbus (NL) will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Make friends with the driver. They usually know a lot about your destination and may even recommend which side of the bus to sit on to get the best views on the road between Rotterdam and Cologne!

From miles long of beauteous natural landscapes to impressive man-crafted sights, you're bound to be in for a visual treat on your bus trip from Rotterdam to Cologne.

Buses are energy-efficient. Carrying a passenger over 100 kms by coach only takes 0.6-0.9 liters of gas. Compare that to the 2.6 liters required by high-speed train, 6.6 liters by airplane and 7.6 liters by gas-powered car, and it's clear that the bus is a more environmentally-conscious option for your bus transportation from Rotterdam to Cologne.

Tune out to the fine sounds of your best music playlist on your bus trip from Rotterdam to Cologne while indulging in miles on end of beautiful scenic views.

Did you know?

It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.

One of the longest bus route in the world goes all the way from Ontario to Alberta in Canada (with the same bus). This trip is 3,435 km or 2,135 miles long and the price is a bit under $100.

The word 'bus' is an abbreviation of 'omnibus" which means 'for all' in Latin as buses were meant to be transportation for everybody.

Will you be returning to Rotterdam by bus?

Bus from Rotterdam to Cologne

You can also go to Cologne by train

Train from Rotterdam to Cologne

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud.com makes it easy for you to find, compare and book city-to-city bus tickets, all over the world. We save you the extra trip to the bus station. With Busbud, wherever you go, you have a worldwide bus station within reach and available in your own language and currency. Busbud prides itself on its worldwide partnerships. We make it possible for you to buy tickets with its large network of trustworthy bus partners like Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

Bus Tickets from Rotterdam to Cologne

One passenger / one way

Next departures to Cologne

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

Compare 3 ways to go from Rotterdam to Cologne.

Bus Rotterdam to Cologne: Trip Overview

Compare bus companies

RegioJet Rotterdam Cologne recent customer reviews

Rotterdam to Cologne Bus

Where are the popular stops in Rotterdam and Cologne?

Frequently asked questions for your trip Rotterdam - Cologne

How can I travel from Rotterdam to Cologne without a car?

How long does it take to get to Cologne from Rotterdam by bus?

What is the travel distance from Rotterdam to Cologne?

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Rotterdam to Cologne?

What is the most cost-effective way to go from Rotterdam to Cologne?

How much are the bus tickets from Rotterdam to Cologne?

What are the best sights and things to do in Cologne?

Is there an overnight bus from Rotterdam to Cologne?

Find cheapest prices for buses

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Did you know?

Will you be returning to Rotterdam by bus?

You can also go to Cologne by train

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

People from around the world trust Busbud

Popular Buses Connecting Rotterdam

Buses Leaving from Rotterdam

Buses Going to Rotterdam

Popular Buses Connecting Cologne

Buses Leaving from Cologne

Buses Going to Cologne

Popular routes in this country

Popular airport transfers