The cheapest and fastest trains from Dortmund to Karlsruhe
Cheapest price
$62
Average price
$88
Fastest journey
4 h 11 m
Average duration
4 h 20 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
287 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Dortmund to Karlsruhe is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Dortmund to Karlsruhe will cost around $88 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $62.
Of the 4 trains that leave Dortmund for Karlsruhe on Sat, Jan 10, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jan 10 the direct trains cover the 287 km distance in an average of 4 h 20 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 11 m .
On Sat, Jan 10 the slowest trains will take 4 h 34 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.








Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Dortmund to Karlsruhe
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Dortmund to Karlsruhe among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €16. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 55m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €16, and a train costs an average of €18.
Distance: 178 miles (287 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€61 Average price | €26 Average price Cheapest |
4h 25m Average total duration Fastest 3h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 28m Average total duration 5h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Dortmund to Karlsruhe train times
The table below shows live departures for Dortmund to Karlsruhe trains for today, Friday, January 9. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:36 AM Dortmund | 4h11 | 11:47 AM Karlsruhe | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, January 10 | |||||
![]() | 5:36 AM Dortmund | 4h11 | 9:47 AM Karlsruhe | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:35 AM Dortmund | 4h34 | 11:09 AM Karlsruhe | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Dortmund to Karlsruhe 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.
Jan 10
Jan 11
Jan 12
Jan 13
Jan 14
Jan 15
Jan 16
Why should you book Dortmund to Karlsruhe trains with Omio?
Deutsche Bahn (ICE,EC,IC,RE) operates all train services from Dortmund to Karlsruhe. Omio is the only official third party seller for Deutsche Bahn (ICE,EC,IC,RE) tickets.
Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn (ICE,EC,IC,RE)?
- 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 (ICE,EC,IC,RE) with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Dortmund to Karlsruhe.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Official reseller: Deutsche Bahn (ICE,EC,IC,RE) tickets can only be bought on Omio or Deutsche Bahn (ICE,EC,IC,RE)'s website as Omio is the only official third party seller for Deutsche Bahn (ICE,EC,IC,RE) tickets. Trainline, RailEurope, and Rail.Ninja do not sell Deutsche Bahn (ICE,EC,IC,RE) tickets as they are not official sellers.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Dortmund to Karlsruhe.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Dortmund to Karlsruhe
Trains from Dortmund to Karlsruhe run on average 10 times per day, taking around 3h 55m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $22 (€18) but you can travel from only $20 (€16) by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:25, the last at 23:55. The fastest train covers the 178 miles (287 km) distance in 3h 22m.
Distance 178 miles (287 km) |
Average train duration 3h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price $22 (€18) |
Trains per day 10 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 3h 22m |
First train 00:25 |
Last train 23:55 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn from Dortmund to Karlsruhe trainsDeutsche Bahn trains will get you between Dortmund and Karlsruhe from $20 (€16). 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.
FAQs: Trains from Dortmund to Karlsruhe
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Dortmund to Karlsruhe 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, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Dortmund to Karlsruhe
- Monday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Thursday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Friday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Saturday: 09:00 - 18:00
- Sunday: 09:00 - 18:00
- Subway
- Caliente
- Ong Bui Asia Fusion
- Kleimann
- Cityhotel Dortmund
- Esplanade
- Drei Kronen
- Hotel Unique Novum
- Strobels
- Rosenterassen
- Pizzeria PePee
- American Corner
- Tiziana
- Taverne Steki
- 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
- Monday: 08:00 13:30 - 12:30 18:00
- Tuesday: 08:00 13:30 - 12:30 18:00
- Wednesday: 08:00 13:30 - 12:30 18:00
- Thursday: 08:00 13:30 - 12:30 18:00
- Friday: 08:00 13:30 - 12:30 18:00
- Saturday: 09:00 - 13:00
- Hubraum
- Vogel Hausbräu Durlach
- Asia Gourmet
- Borsalino
- Hotel Große Linde
- Zum Erwin
- Der Blaue Reiter
Most popular train connections from Dortmund
More options for your journey from Dortmund to Karlsruhe
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