- 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
$37
Average ticket price on Sep 20
$85
Fastest journey on Sep 20
4 h 45 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
5 h 8 m
Trains on Sep 20
11
Distance
412 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Düsseldorf to Kiel is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Düsseldorf to Kiel will cost around $85 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $37.
It's difficult to get from Düsseldorf to Kiel without transferring at least once.
ICE 1028 · ICE 778
ICE 920 · 11246
ICE 618 · ICE 776
ICE 2214 · 11260
FlixTrain+
FlixBus
ICE 1022 · 11220
ICE 618 · ICE 776
ICE 2310 · 11216
ICE 2214 · 11260
ICE 204 · 11268Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Düsseldorf to Kiel among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $56 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 1m. 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 $56, while a flight costs an average of $514.
Distance: 256 miles (412 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$111 Average price | $56 Average price Cheapest | $514 Average price | $88 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 39m Average total duration 5h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 9m Average total duration 8h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 1m Average total duration Fastest 2h 1m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 5h 41m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 1.2 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | 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 Düsseldorf to Kiel:
A bus is $55 (€45) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Düsseldorf to Kiel costing on average $111 (€91).
A bus is $458 (€375) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Düsseldorf to Kiel costing on average $514 (€420).
Other travel options to Kiel take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 9m.
Bus takes on average 8h 39m.
You'll arrive about 32m sooner (5h 9m by train vs 5h 41m by car). Tickets start at around $111 (€91) compared to roughly $88 (€72) 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.
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 Düsseldorf to Kiel trains for tomorrow, Sunday, September 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 1028 · ICE 778 | On time 4:26 AM Düsseldorf Hbf | 5h19 | 9:45 AM Kiel Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 2214 · 11260 | On time 5:38 AM Düsseldorf Hbf | 5h17 | 10:55 AM Kiel Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 618 · ICE 776 | On time 6:34 AM Düsseldorf Hbf | 5h06 | 11:40 AM Kiel Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 543 · ICE 686 · 11214 | On time 6:48 AM Düsseldorf Hbf | 5h33 | 12:21 PM Kiel Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 2310 · 11216 | On time 8:08 AM Düsseldorf Hbf | 5h13 | 1:21 PM Kiel Hbf | 1 transfer | |
26809 · ICE 616 · ICE 774 | On time 8:22 AM Düsseldorf Hbf | 5h18 | 1:40 PM Kiel Hbf | 2 transfers | |
26409 · ICE 555 · ICE 684 · 11218 | 8:41 AM Düsseldorf Hbf | 5h40 | 2:21 PM Kiel Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 204 · 11268 | On time 9:34 AM Düsseldorf Hbf | 5h18 | 2:52 PM Kiel Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1022 · 11220 | On time 10:36 AM Düsseldorf Hbf | 4h45 | 3:21 PM Kiel Hbf | 1 transfer | |
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 Düsseldorf to Kiel run on average 5 times per day, taking around 5h 9m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $33 (€27) but you can travel from only $25 (€20) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:05, the last at 23:51. The fastest train covers the 256 miles (412 km) distance in 4h 21m.
Distance 256 miles (412 km) |
Average train duration 5h 9m |
Cheapest ticket price $33 (€27) |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 4h 21m |
First train 12:05 AM |
Last train 11:51 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 14 days |
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 Düsseldorf 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 Düsseldorf to Kiel trains use the Düsseldorf Hbf to Kiel Hbf station pair. Use this guide to compare Düsseldorf and Kiel train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Düsseldorf Hbf is 1 km from Düsseldorf city centre. Public transport options include:
Düsseldorf 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: Zaxopondeiva Cafe, Lauren's Cafe, China Imbiss, Fu chu yuan
Wi-Fi is available at Düsseldorf Hbf. ATMs are available at Düsseldorf Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Düsseldorf Hbf. Information desks are available at Düsseldorf Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Düsseldorf Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Düsseldorf Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Düsseldorf Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Düsseldorf Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Lindenhof, Hotel Batavia, Sir Astor, Lady Astor.
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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