- 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
€79
Average ticket price on Sep 20
€109
Fastest journey on Sep 20
4 h 47 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
4 h 48 m
Trains on Sep 20
7
Distance
437 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Dresden to Kiel is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Dresden to Kiel will cost around €109 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €79.
On Sun, Sep 20, we found 7 trains from Dresden to Kiel, including 1 direct services.
On Sun, Sep 20 the direct trains cover the 437 km distance in an average of 4 h 48 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 47 m .
On Sun, Sep 20 the slowest trains will take 4 h 52 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 2172 · 18529 · ICE 90+
21136
RJ 384 · ICE 774
IC 2446 · ICE 90+
21136
RJ 174
RJ 178 · ICE 772
RJ 174
RJ 176 · ICE 578
RJ 382 · ICE 770
RJ 384 · ICE 774
RJ 178 · ICE 772Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Dresden to Kiel among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €61 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 12m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €61, while a flight costs an average of €414.
Distance: 271 miles (437 km)
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€117 Average price | €414 Average price | €61 Average price Cheapest | €82 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 29m Average total duration 5h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 12m Average total duration Fastest 2h 12m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 8h 16m Average total duration 7h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 6m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.3 - 2.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Dresden to Kiel:
A bus is €56 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Dresden to Kiel costing on average €117.
A bus is €353 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Dresden to Kiel costing on average €414.
Other travel options to Kiel take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 59m.
Bus takes on average 7h 46m.
You'll arrive about 7m sooner (5h 59m by train vs 6h 6m by car). Tickets start at around €117 compared to roughly €82 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 Intercity (DB IC), ÖBB | Railjet.
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.
The table below shows live departures for Dresden to Kiel trains for today, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RJ 870 · ICE 776 | Delayed 6:42 AM Dresden Hbf | 4h58 | 9:42 AM 9:42 AMKiel Hbf | 1 transfer | |
RJ 384 · ICE 774 | On time 8:53 AM Dresden Hbf | 4h47 | 1:40 PM Kiel Hbf | 1 transfer | |
RJ 178 · ICE 772 | On time 10:53 AM Dresden Hbf | 4h52 | 3:45 PM Kiel Hbf | 1 transfer | |
RJ 382 · ICE 770 | On time 12:53 PM Dresden Hbf | 4h47 | 5:40 PM Kiel Hbf | 1 transfer | |
RJ 176 · ICE 578 | On time 2:53 PM Dresden Hbf | 4h47 | 7:40 PM Kiel Hbf | 1 transfer | |
RJ 174 | On time 4:53 PM Dresden Hbf | 4h47 | 9:40 PM Kiel Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight 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.
Trains from Dresden to Kiel run on average 5 times per day, taking around 5h 59m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €36 but you can travel from only €28 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:05, the last at 23:47. The fastest train covers the 271 miles (437 km) distance in 4h 27m.
Distance 271 miles (437 km) |
Average train duration 5h 59m |
Cheapest ticket price €36 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 4h 27m |
First train 12:05 AM |
Last train 11:47 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
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 Hbf -> Kiel City Center
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Dresden to Kiel 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 Kiel, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Dresden to Kiel trains use the Dresden Hauptbahnhof to Kiel Hbf station pair. Use this guide to compare Dresden and Kiel train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Dresden Hauptbahnhof is 1 km from Dresden city centre. Public transport options include:
Dresden Hauptbahnhof has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burger King, asiagourmet, dean&david, Hot Dog King, Starbucks, Subway, BABA Döner, Marché, backWERK, Ditsch, & more
Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are available at Dresden Hauptbahnhof.
Ticket office support is available at Dresden Hauptbahnhof. Information desks are located by Platform 9 in the main concourse.
Luggage storage is there are luggage lockers close to by the waiting room and the stairs leading to Platforms 3/4. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dresden Hauptbahnhof: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Dresden Hauptbahnhof: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dresden Hauptbahnhof: Accessible facilities such as toilets and ramps and additional assistance as needed. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
Nearby hotels include Hotel Kipping, Pullman Dresden Newa, IntercityHotel Dresden.
Dresden-Neustadt is 1 km from Dresden city centre. Public transport options include:
Dresden-Neustadt has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: ElbUferei, Raskolnikoff, Byblos, Kantine No. 2
Wi-Fi is available at Dresden-Neustadt. ATMs are available at Dresden-Neustadt.
Ticket office support is available at Dresden-Neustadt. Information desks are available at Dresden-Neustadt.
Luggage storage is available at Dresden-Neustadt. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dresden-Neustadt: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Dresden-Neustadt: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dresden-Neustadt.
Nearby hotels include Bilderberg Bellevue Hotel Dresden, Rothenburger Hof, Mezcalero, Villa Romantika.
Dresden Mitte is 1 km from Dresden city centre. Public transport options include:
Dresden Mitte has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Italienisches Dörfchen, BrennNessel, Kahnaletto, Cafe Friedrichstadt
Wi-Fi is available at Dresden Mitte. ATMs are available at Dresden Mitte.
Ticket office support is available at Dresden Mitte. Information desks are available at Dresden Mitte.
Luggage storage is available at Dresden Mitte. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dresden Mitte: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Dresden Mitte: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dresden Mitte.
Nearby hotels include Elbflorenz, Penck Hotel, Hotel und Restaurant Cafe Friedrichstadt, Artis.
Kiel Hbf has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: MUM&DAD, Lunatique, McDonald's, Campus Suite
Wi-Fi is available at Kiel Hbf. ATMs are available at Kiel Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Kiel Hbf. Information desks are available at Kiel Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Kiel Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Kiel Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Kiel Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Kiel Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Wiking, Hotel Berliner Hof Kiel, Astor, InterCityHotel Kiel.
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