- Must visit
Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel
Maritime museum in a former fish auction hall. Highlights Kiel's naval, shipping, and harbor history in an atmospheric waterfront setting.
Cheapest price on Sep 20
$8
Average ticket price on Sep 20
$9
Fastest journey on Sep 20
1 h 10 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
1 h 10 m
Buses on Sep 20
2
Distance
62 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Lübeck to Kiel is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Lübeck to Kiel will cost around $9 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $8.
On Sun, Sep 20, we found 2 buses from Lübeck to Kiel, including 2 direct services.
On Sun, Sep 20 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 10 m .
On Sun, Sep 20 the slowest buses will take 1 h 10 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 Lübeck to Kiel among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $9 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 1h 40m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $9, while a train costs an average of $42.
Distance: 38 miles (62 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$9 Average price Cheapest | $42 Average price | $15 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 40m Average total duration Fastest 1h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 48m Average total duration 1h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 21m 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 Lübeck to Kiel:
A bus is $32 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Lübeck to Kiel costing on average $42.
Other travel options to Kiel take longer:
Train takes on average 1h 18m.
You'll arrive about 11m sooner (1h 10m by bus vs 1h 21m by car) and save roughly $5 compared to fuel and tolls ($9 vs $15). 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 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 01:30AM | Arrival Time 02:20AM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:30AM | Arrival Time 03:50AM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $11 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:50AM | Arrival Time 07:50AM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 01:10PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 03:10PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:10PM | Arrival Time 02:40PM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:40PM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:50PM | Arrival Time 05:40PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 05:20PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:20PM | Arrival Time 06:20PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:45PM | Arrival Time 06:55PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:45PM | Arrival Time 08:55PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:20PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 09:20PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:40PM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:50PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $8 |
The table below shows live departures for Lübeck to Kiel buses for today, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 2:00 PM Lübeck, Bussteig Beim Retteich | 1h10 | 3:10 PM Kiel, ZOB | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 7:45 PM Lübeck, Bussteig Beim Retteich | 1h10 | 8:55 PM Kiel, ZOB | 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 Lübeck to Kiel run on average 2 times per day, taking around 1h 10m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $7 if you book in advance.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 02:30, the last at 15:20. The fastest bus covers the 38 miles (62 km) distance in 1h 10m.
Distance 38 miles (62 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price $7 |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 1h 10m |
First bus 2:30 AM |
Last bus 3:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Kiel — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Kiel trip today.
Maritime museum in a former fish auction hall. Highlights Kiel's naval, shipping, and harbor history in an atmospheric waterfront setting.
Open-air museum site near Kiel with historic rural buildings and cultural exhibitions. Worth visiting for regional architecture and traditions.
Art museum of Kiel University with European paintings, prints, and sculptures. A strong stop for classical and modern art near the fjord.
Kiel's central waterfront promenade. Ideal for harbor walks, ferry watching, events, and easy access to shops and maritime sights.
Canal-side viewing area in Holtenau for watching ships enter and leave the Kiel Canal. One of the city's best free maritime viewpoints.
Main pedestrian shopping street linking central Kiel highlights. A practical and lively place to explore the rebuilt city center.
Smoked eel from the Baltic region, traditionally served simply to highlight local fishing heritage and the salty coastal flavor of Schleswig-Holstein.
A hearty northern German stew of pears, beans, and bacon, loved in Schleswig-Holstein for its sweet-salty mix and late-summer harvest tradition.
Kale slow-cooked with sausage or pork, a classic winter dish across northern Germany and a staple of cold-season gatherings in Kiel.
Elegant Michelin-starred dining with modern regional cuisine, refined tasting menus, and polished service in a special-occasion setting.
Historic waterside restaurant known for northern German seafood and local classics in a traditional harbor atmosphere.
Established harbor restaurant focused on fish and maritime specialties, with panoramic fjord views and a polished but relaxed feel.
Moderate for Germany: hotels can rise in summer, but dining and local transit are usually reasonable for a port city.
Service is usually included, but rounding up or adding 5-10% is common. Tip taxi drivers by rounding up, and leave small change at cafes.
Official public transport app
Kiel ZOB -> Kiel Hauptbahnhof
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Lübeck to Kiel 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 Kiel, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Lübeck to Kiel buses use the Lübeck, Bussteig Beim Retteich to Kiel, ZOB station pair. Use this guide to compare Lübeck and Kiel bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need