Cologne to Salzburg: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Cologne from Salzburg?

The distance from Cologne to Salzburg is 349 miles (561.6 km) as the crow flies. Salzburg is located SE of Cologne. By car, the driving distance is approximately 418.7 miles, taking about 8h 25min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 12min. Cologne is in Germany, while Salzburg is in Austria.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. Keep in mind this route crosses international borders. Don't forget your passport, and check current border crossing times and vehicle insurance requirements.

Coordinates come from public place data for Cologne and Salzburg. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.