- Must visit
Holstentor Museum
Museum inside Lübeck's famous gate, presenting the city's Hanseatic history and fortifications. Essential for context before exploring the old town.
Cheapest price on Sep 08
$11
Average ticket price on Sep 08
$12
Fastest journey on Sep 08
1 h 5 m
Average journey duration on Sep 08
1 h 10 m
Buses on Sep 08
2
Distance
62 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Kiel to Lübeck is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Kiel to Lübeck will cost around $12 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $11.
On Tue, Sep 08, we found 2 buses from Kiel to Lübeck, including 2 direct services.
On Tue, Sep 08 the direct buses cover the 62 km distance in an average of 1 h 10 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 5 m .
On Tue, Sep 08 the slowest buses will take 1 h 15 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Kiel to Lübeck among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $10 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 1h 34m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $10, while a train costs an average of $45.
Distance: 38 miles (62 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$10 Average price Cheapest | $45 Average price | $15 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 34m Average total duration Fastest 1h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 48m Average total duration 1h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 17m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Kiel to Lübeck:
A bus is $35 (€28) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Kiel to Lübeck costing on average $45 (€36).
Other travel options to Lübeck take longer:
Train takes on average 1h 18m.
You'll arrive about 13m sooner (1h 4m by bus vs 1h 17m by car) and save roughly $4 (€4) compared to fuel and tolls ($10 (€8) vs $15 (€12)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by BlaBlaCar, FlixBus.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:30AM | Arrival Time 04:00AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:25AM | Arrival Time 06:40AM | Duration 1h15 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:40AM | Arrival Time 07:10AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 08:10AM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:25AM | Arrival Time 08:40AM | Duration 1h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:50AM | Arrival Time 08:50AM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:20AM | Arrival Time 11:10AM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:20PM | Arrival Time 03:30PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 04:25PM | Duration 1h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $8 |
The table below shows live departures for Kiel to Lübeck buses for tomorrow, Tuesday, September 8. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 7:25 AM Kiel, ZOB | 1h15 | 8:40 AM Lübeck, Bussteig Beim Retteich | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:20 PM Kiel, ZOB | 1h05 | 4:25 PM Lübeck, Bussteig Beim Retteich | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Kiel to Lübeck run on average 3 times per day, taking around 1h 4m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $5 (€4) if you book in advance.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 02:30, the last at 19:45. The fastest bus covers the 38 miles (62 km) distance in 1h 5m.
Distance 38 miles (62 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price $5 (€4) |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 1h 5m |
First bus 2:30 AM |
Last bus 7:45 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Lübeck — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Lübeck trip today.
Museum inside Lübeck's famous gate, presenting the city's Hanseatic history and fortifications. Essential for context before exploring the old town.
Outstanding museum on Hanseatic trade and Lübeck's global medieval role, housed in a former monastery. Rich exhibits make it a top cultural stop.
Celebrates Nobel Prize winner Thomas Mann and his literary family in a historic townhouse. Excellent for literature, politics, and local culture.
UNESCO-listed island old town with lanes, courtyards, churches, and merchant houses. The essential area for walking and experiencing Lübeck's character.
Historic main street lined with gabled houses, shops, and key sights. Ideal for an introductory stroll through the heart of the city.
Elegant square in front of the town hall and St. Mary's Church. A central meeting point with impressive Gothic architecture all around.
Sweet almond marzipan from Lübeck, protected by PGI status and famed for its high almond content. The city's best-known traditional specialty.
Marzipan-coated pastry or cake, common in Lübeck cafés and bakeries. It reflects the city's long confectionery tradition.
Pan-fried Baltic herring, often served with potatoes or onion sauce. A classic North German fish dish tied to Lübeck's Hanseatic port history.
Elegant fine dining restaurant known for modern tasting menus and polished service in Lübeck's old town.
Historic tavern serving North German classics and local fish in a traditional Hanseatic setting near the old town center.
Historic café and confectionery famous for Lübeck marzipan, cakes, and coffee. A classic stop for the city's signature sweet.
Moderate for Germany: hotels and dining are mid-priced, public transit is reasonable, and old-town tourist areas cost a bit more.
Service is usually included. Round up or tip about 5-10% in restaurants, round up taxi fares, and leave small change in cafes.
Official public transport app
Bussteig Beim Retteich -> Lübeck Hauptbahnhof
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Kiel to Lübeck by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Lübeck, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Kiel to Lübeck buses use the Kiel, ZOB to Lübeck, Bussteig Beim Retteich station pair, with some services arriving at Lübeck, Wallstraße (Holstentor). Use this guide to compare Kiel and Lübeck bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Lübeck, Wallstraße (Holstentor) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Lübeck, Wallstraße (Holstentor). ATMs are available at Lübeck, Wallstraße (Holstentor).
Ticket office support is available at Lübeck, Wallstraße (Holstentor).
Available at Lübeck, Wallstraße (Holstentor): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Lübeck, Wallstraße (Holstentor): Wheelchair ramps available.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need