THE SHORT VERSION
Berlin to Cologne at a glance.
- From
- Berlin
- To
- Cologne Köln
- Road distance
- About 574 km
- Straight line
- 477 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~5 h 45 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Cologne to Berlin →
Ready to travel from Berlin to Cologne?
Check live availability, fares and departure times with 12Go.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Berlin
Berlin is Germany's largest city and a hub for coaches across Germany and to Poland, Czechia, Scandinavia and beyond. Most long-distance buses use the central bus station (ZOB) by the Funkturm in Charlottenburg.
- Berlin ZOB (central bus station) · Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof
Messedamm, by the Funkturm in Charlottenburg. Most long-distance coaches. - Other stops
Some services also stop at Alexanderplatz, Südkreuz or BER airport.
Arriving in Cologne
Ask the seller where the service ends in Cologne. A town-name stop can be a bus station some way from the centre, and the last stretch to your accommodation is usually up to you.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
KEEP GOING
From Cologne, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Cologne
More buses from Berlin
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Berlin from Cologne by road?+
About 574 km by road (477 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Berlin to Cologne take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 5 h 45 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Berlin?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Berlin include Berlin ZOB (central bus station), Other stops, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Cologne to Berlin?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Cologne to Berlin guide.
Where does the bus from Berlin arrive in Cologne?+
It depends on the operator. Some services end at the local bus station, others at an office or a stop on the main road. Ask the seller for the drop-off address before you book.
What kind of bus runs from Berlin to Cologne?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Berlin to Cologne bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Cologne by bus?+
Direct buses from Cologne include Frankfurt, Brussels, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Paris and more. See all connections on our Cologne bus page.
Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.
Book Berlin → Cologne on 12GoFOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Berlin to Cologne bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Berlin (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →