Cologne, one of the closest major cities east of the Dutch-German border, is located just 150 miles (240 km) from Amsterdam. The city serves as a great entry point to Germany for travelers, as navigating between the two cities, whether by train, bus, and car, is affordable and easy.
Cologne tourist information
Cologne is one of the most populated cities in Germany, as well as a major tourist destination. With the scent of its namesake, Eau de Cologne circulating through the air, the city greets visitors with its distinctive sweet scent.
Learn the basics of city navigation and the best sights and activities with this comprehensive Cologne travel guide. If you’re bringing the family, check out the Cologne with Kids guide, and if you’re on a budget, items like Cologne for Free will keep those pennies in your pocket.
Christmas is a great time to visit Cologne, as it is especially atmospheric. The city comes to life every season with Christmas decorations in almost every corner and the famous and lively Christmas markets. There are seven in total, and the largest and best-known market is parked in front of the iconic Cologne Cathedral.
Cologne is best savored over the course of several days, and there are plenty of hotel and hostel options in the city to suit your needs, including an incredibly unique water tower turned luxury hotel.
By train
Traveling by train between Amsterdam and Cologne is a quick and affordable option. Travel time from Amsterdam Central Station is comparable to driving time, at just two hours and 40 minutes. It’s important to book your trip two to three months in advance to get the cheapest fares, and tickets can be purchased on the NS Hispeed website.
By bus
Several bus companies serve the route between Amsterdam and Cologne, the international coach costs about half the price of the train, but also half the speed. Eurolines has fantastic promotional rates, but they are few and far between, so the rates are expected to be much higher than promised.
By car
A road trip from Amsterdam to Cologne allows travelers the flexibility of stopping at any number of destinations during the 150-mile (240 km) journey at will. This is especially useful given the many small, picturesque towns that line the route between the two cities. To make your two-and-a-half-hour journey as clear as possible, visit ViaMichelin.com to locate turn-by-turn directions and calculate travel costs.
By plane
While it is possible to fly between Amsterdam and Cologne on the KLM Cityhopper in just one hour, it is by far the most expensive and slowest option. When you factor in check-in time plus travel to and from the airport, you will hardly save time or money.
