The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf
Cheapest price
$38
Average price
$76
Fastest journey
2 h 1 m
Average duration
2 h 2 m
Trains per day
46
Distance
240 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf will cost around $76 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $38.
Of the 46 trains that leave Cologne Hbf for Karlsruhe Hbf on Sat, Jun 20, 15 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct trains cover the 240 km distance in an average of 2 h 2 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 1 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest trains will take 2 h 2 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.
IC 19462:53 PM3h41Cologne Hbf6:34 PMKarlsruhe Hbf$381One-way0 transfers
ICE 16406:53 PM3h12Cologne Hbf10:05 PMKarlsruhe Hbf$391One-way0 transfers
IC 2242 · ICE 6778:53 PM4h02Cologne Hbf12:55 AMKarlsruhe Hbf$391One-way1 transfer
IC 6040311:53 PM4h07Cologne Hbf4:00 AMKarlsruhe Hbf$451One-way0 transfers
ICE 16486:53 AM3h31Cologne Hbf10:24 AMKarlsruhe Hbf$461One-way0 transfers
10925 · ICE 1013 · ICE 755:22 PM2h01Cologne Hbf7:23 PMKarlsruhe Hbf$1021One-way2 transfers
10909 · ICE 915 · ICE 719:22 AM2h01Cologne Hbf11:23 AMKarlsruhe Hbf$1021One-way2 transfers
17418 · ICE 919 · ICE 731:21 PM2h02Cologne Hbf3:23 PMKarlsruhe Hbf$1021One-way2 transfers
17422 · ICE 1011 · ICE 73:21 PM2h02Cologne Hbf5:23 PMKarlsruhe Hbf$1021One-way2 transfers
17430 · ICE 1015 · ECE 97:21 PM2h02Cologne Hbf9:23 PMKarlsruhe Hbf$1141One-way2 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $18. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 24m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $18, and a train costs an average of $18.
Distance: 149 miles (240 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$61 Average price | $25 Average price Cheapest | $51 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 54m Average total duration Fastest 2h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 17m Average total duration 3h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 52m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf:
A bus is $37 (€30) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf costing on average $61 (€50).
Other travel options to Karlsruhe Hbf take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 47m.
You'll arrive about 28m sooner (2h 24m by train vs 2h 52m by car). Tickets start at around $61 (€50) compared to roughly $51 (€42) in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Direct services run with Deutsche Bahn, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS).
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
Live departures
Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf train times
The table below shows live departures for Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf trains for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 1640 | 6:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 3h12 | 10:05 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 203 | 6:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 2h05 | 8:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
17430 · ICE 1015 · ECE 9 | Delayed 7:21 PM Cologne Hbf | 2h02 | 8:14 PM 8:14 PMKarlsruhe Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 1021 · 4635 · ICE 77 | On time 7:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h01 | 11:54 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 615 · ICE 379 | 7:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 2h05 | 9:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 2242 · ICE 677 | On time 8:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 3h59 | 12:52 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 205 | 8:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 2h05 | 10:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 617 · ICE 77 | 9:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 2h00 | 11:54 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 319 · 15341 · S3 | On time 10:18 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h11 | 2:29 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 60403 | On time 11:56 PM Cologne Hbf | 4h34 | 4:30 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 619 · S3 | 12:01 AM Cologne Hbf | 3h20 | 3:21 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 827 · ICE 273 | Delayed 3:21 AM Cologne Hbf | 3h38 | 4:59 AM 4:59 AMKarlsruhe Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 511 · ICE 275 | On time 5:48 AM Cologne Hbf | 2h11 | 7:59 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 23 · 4473 | 5:53 AM Cologne Hbf | 4h00 | 9:53 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1648 | 6:53 AM Cologne Hbf | 3h31 | 10:24 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 101 | 6:54 AM Cologne Hbf | 2h05 | 8:59 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 25 · ICE 915 · ICE 71 | On time 7:53 AM Cologne Hbf | 3h30 | 11:23 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 513 · ICE 277 | On time 7:54 AM Cologne Hbf | 2h05 | 9:59 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 103 | 8:54 AM Cologne Hbf | 2h05 | 10:59 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
10909 · ICE 915 · ICE 71 | On time 9:22 AM Cologne Hbf | 2h01 | 11:23 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 27 · ICE 225 · ECE 5 | On time 9:53 AM Cologne Hbf | 3h30 | 1:23 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 515 · ICE 279 | On time 9:54 AM Cologne Hbf | 2h05 | 11:59 AM Karlsruhe Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 2013 · ICE 371 | On time 10:53 AM Cologne Hbf | 3h06 | 1:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 105 | On time 10:54 AM Cologne Hbf | 2h05 | 12:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 903 | On time 10:59 AM Cologne Hbf | 2h29 | 1:28 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 225 · ECE 5 | On time 11:18 AM Cologne Hbf | 2h05 | 1:23 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 29 · ICE 919 · ICE 73 | On time 11:53 AM Cologne Hbf | 3h30 | 3:23 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 517 · ICE 371 | On time 11:54 AM Cologne Hbf | 2h05 | 1:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1644 | 12:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 3h29 | 4:22 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 107 | On time 12:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 2h05 | 2:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
17418 · ICE 919 · ICE 73 | On time 1:21 PM Cologne Hbf | 2h02 | 3:23 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 229 · ICE 1011 · ICE 7 | On time 1:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 3h30 | 5:23 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 519 · ICE 373 | On time 1:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 2h05 | 3:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 1946 | On time 2:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 3h41 | 6:34 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 109 | On time 2:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 2h05 | 4:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
17422 · ICE 1011 · ICE 7 | 3:21 PM Cologne Hbf | 2h02 | 5:23 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 927 · ICE 1013 · ICE 75 | On time 3:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 3h30 | 7:23 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 611 · ICE 375 | On time 3:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 2h04 | 5:58 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 1948 | On time 4:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 3h42 | 8:35 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 201 | On time 4:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 2h05 | 6:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
10925 · ICE 1013 · ICE 75 | On time 5:22 PM Cologne Hbf | 2h01 | 7:23 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 929 · ICE 1015 · ECE 9 | On time 5:53 PM Cologne Hbf | 3h30 | 9:23 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 613 · ICE 377 | On time 5:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 2h05 | 7:59 PM Karlsruhe Hbf | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf by train or bus
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.
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Why should you book Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn, but also compare tickets for the likes of Trans Regio Deutsche Regionalbahn GmbH, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) or Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) to find the best option for your trip from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Deutsche Bahn with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf.
Why book with Omio over Trainline or Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf.
ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf

Journey information
Overview: Train from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf
Trains from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 24m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $18 (€15) but you can travel from only $18 (€14) by bus.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 01:56, the last at 22:55. The fastest train covers the 149 miles (240 km) distance in 2h 1m.
Distance 149 miles (240 km) |
Average train duration 2h 24m |
Cheapest ticket price $18 (€15) |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 2h 1m |
First train 1:56 AM |
Last train 10:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, Trans Regio Deutsche Regionalbahn GmbH, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf trainsDeutsche Bahn, Trans Regio Deutsche Regionalbahn GmbH, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) trains will get you between Cologne Hbf and Karlsruhe Hbf from $18 (€14). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Deutsche Bahn
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.
Trans Regio Deutsche Regionalbahn GmbH
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)
FAQs: Trains from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Karlsruhe Hbf, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf
- Mon - Fri: 06:00 - 21:00
- Sat - Sun: 07:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only
- There are luggage lockers in the station
- asiagourmet
- Coffee Fellows
- dean&david
- Dunkin' Donuts
- KFC
- McDonald's
- Pizza Hut
- Nordsee
- Starbucks
- Schweinske
- & more
- Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected]
- Wyndham Koeln
- Hilton Cologne
- Excelsior Hotel Ernst
- One near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5
- Monday: 06:30 - 21:00
- Tuesday: 06:30 - 21:00
- Wednesday: 06:30 - 21:00
- Thursday: 06:30 - 21:00
- Friday: 06:30 - 21:00
- Saturday: 08:00 - 19:00
- Sunday: 09:00 - 20:00
- Vinarte
- Am Tiergarten
- Panorama
- Alter Brauhof
- Hotel Barbarossa
- Hotel Avisa
- Am Tiergarten
- Aparthotel Aijana
More options for your journey from Cologne Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf
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