- Must visit
ZKM | Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe
Major museum and research center for media art, digital culture, and interactive exhibitions in a vast former factory building.
Cheapest price
$114
Average price
$114
Fastest journey
23 h 5 m
Average duration
23 h 5 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
1017 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Donostia-San Sebastian to Karlsruhe is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Donostia-San Sebastian to Karlsruhe will cost around $114 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $114.
Of the 1 buses that leave Donostia-San Sebastian for Karlsruhe on Sat, Jun 06, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 06 the direct buses cover the 1017 km distance in an average of 23 h 5 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 23 h 5 m .
On Sat, Jun 06 the slowest buses will take 23 h 5 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.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Donostia-San Sebastian to Karlsruhe among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $79. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 7h 20m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $79, and a train costs an average of $225.
Distance: 631 miles (1017 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$96 Average price Cheapest | $238 Average price | $252 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
17h 40m Average total duration 17h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 50m Average total duration Fastest 7h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 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 Donostia-San Sebastian to Karlsruhe:
A bus is $142 (€114) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Donostia-San Sebastian to Karlsruhe costing on average $238 (€192).
Other travel options to Karlsruhe take longer:
Bus takes on average 17h 10m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). 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 {directProviders}.
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 Bus | Departure Time 02:00AM | Arrival Time 01:05AM | Duration 23h05 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $80 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 03:00AM | Arrival Time 02:05AM | Duration 23h05 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $79 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 04:00AM | Arrival Time 03:05AM | Duration 23h05 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $118 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:55AM | Arrival Time 05:45AM | Duration 23h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $204 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:25AM | Arrival Time 06:20AM | Duration 23h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $173 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 08:30AM | Duration 24h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $197 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 06:27PM | Duration 22h27 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $126 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 05:15PM | Duration 20h45 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $80 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:25PM | Arrival Time 06:05PM | Duration 20h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $208 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:40PM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 25h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $233 |
The table below shows live departures for Donostia-San Sebastian to Karlsruhe buses for today, Friday, June 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 9:25 PM Donostia-San Sebastian, Estación de Autobuses | 20h40 | 6:05 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:40 PM Donostia-San Sebastian, Estación de Autobuses | 25h20 | 12:00 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2 transfers | |
| Saturday, June 6 | |||||
![]() | 3:00 AM Donostia-San Sebastian | 23h05 | 2:05 AM Karlsruhe | 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 Donostia-San Sebastian to Karlsruhe run on average 7 times per day, taking around 17h 10m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $79 (€64) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:25, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 631 miles (1017 km) distance in 20h 45m.
Distance 631 miles (1017 km) |
Average bus duration 17h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price $79 (€64) |
Buses per day 7 |
Fastest bus 20h 45m |
First bus 12:25 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Karlsruhe — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Karlsruhe trip today.
Major museum and research center for media art, digital culture, and interactive exhibitions in a vast former factory building.
State museum inside Karlsruhe Palace with collections on archaeology, world cultures, and regional history.
Leading fine arts museum with works from the Middle Ages to modern periods; a key cultural institution in the city.
Large park behind the palace with lawns, wooded paths, canals, and relaxed walking routes popular with locals.
Central square framed by major civic buildings and the Karlsruhe Pyramid, a natural starting point for exploring the city.
Hilltop area in Durlach known for panoramic views, sunset photos, and a popular historic funicular approach.
Large Swabian stuffed pasta pockets filled with meat, spinach, onions, and herbs, widely enjoyed in Baden and Karlsruhe.
Soft egg noodles layered with melted cheese and fried onions, a comforting southern German classic common around Karlsruhe.
Thin crisp flatbread topped traditionally with crème fraîche, onions, and bacon; Alsatian and Baden cuisine strongly influence Karlsruhe.
Established fine-dining address in the Karlsruhe area, known for polished service and upscale modern cuisine.
Well-known hilltop restaurant with panoramic views, offering refined regional and German cuisine in an elegant setting.
Traditional Baden restaurant known for regional dishes, seasonal specials, and a cozy wine-tavern atmosphere in central Karlsruhe.
Moderate by German standards. Public transport and casual food are reasonable, while central hotels and fine dining cost more.
Service is usually included, but rounding up is standard. In restaurants, add about 5-10% for good service. Round up taxi fares. Small tips are appreciated in cafés but not required.
Official public transport app
Karlsruhe Hbf, Karlsruhe -> Marktplatz, Karlsruhe
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Donostia-San Sebastian to Karlsruhe 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 Karlsruhe, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need