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Direct trains › From Salzburg

Salzburg → Cologne

Cologne → Salzburg ⇄
1.4 a dayfastest 6h54Deutsche Bahn, SNCBHigh-speedNight train

Direct trains · no change

  • 12:00 → 18:54
    ICE 118 High-speed
    Salzburg Hbf → Köln Messe/Deutz Bf · via Munich, Stuttgart, Mannheim, Frankfurt
    6h5412 stops
    Runs: DailyDeutsche Bahn ↗
  • 21:04 → 06:59+1
    NJ 448 Night train
    Salzburg Hbf → Köln Hbf · via Munich
    9h555 stops
    Runs: Tue, Thu, SunSNCB ↗

Local times at each station. From official open timetable data (at, be_sncb, de_delfi, de_fv, de_rv) for 28 Sep – 25 Oct 2026; timetables change, so check with the operator before you travel. How we build this.

Door to door vs flying

The plane is faster by 3h26
Train · fastest direct7h16
  • Before departure10 min
  • ICE 1186h54
  • From Köln Messe/Deutz Bf12 min
Plane · nonstop SZG–CGN3h50
  • To Salzburg (SZG)20 min
  • Check-in & security1h30
  • Flight SZG–CGN1h25
  • Landing to exit20 min
  • From CGN15 min

From city centre to city centre unless you pick otherwise. Getting to stations and airports: typical public-transport times (estimates). Airport: check-in & security 1h30 before, 20 min to get out after landing. Flight time is typical for the distance. Nonstop airlines: Eurowings.