- 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
lei176
Average price
lei464
Fastest journey
4 h 37 m
Average duration
4 h 51 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
372 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Gelsenkirchen to Kiel is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Gelsenkirchen to Kiel will cost around lei464 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only lei176.
Of the 4 trains that leave Gelsenkirchen for Kiel on Wed, Aug 05, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 05 the direct trains cover the 372 km distance in an average of 4 h 51 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 37 m .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest trains will take 5 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.








Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Gelsenkirchen to Kiel among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from lei258. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 15m. 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 lei258, and a flight costs an average of lei666.
Distance: 231 miles (372 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
lei446 Average price | lei1200 Average price | lei343 Average price Cheapest | lei369 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 59m Average total duration 4h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 15m Average total duration Fastest 1h 15m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 14h 25m Average total duration 13h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 2m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.1 - 2.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
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 Gelsenkirchen to Kiel:
A bus is lei104 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Gelsenkirchen to Kiel costing on average lei446.
A bus is lei858 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Gelsenkirchen to Kiel costing on average lei1200.
Other travel options to Kiel take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 29m.
Bus takes on average 13h 55m.
You'll arrive about 33m sooner (4h 29m by train vs 5h 2m by car). Tickets start at around lei446 compared to roughly lei369 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 Gelsenkirchen to Kiel trains for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:50 AM Gelsenkirchen | 4h50 | 10:40 AM Kiel | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:25 AM Gelsenkirchen | 4h56 | 11:21 AM Kiel | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:44 AM Gelsenkirchen | 4h37 | 12:21 PM Kiel | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:50 AM Gelsenkirchen | 5h02 | 12:52 PM Kiel | 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 Gelsenkirchen to Kiel run on average 7 times per day, taking around 4h 29m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at lei176 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 02:05, the last at 23:05. The fastest train covers the 231 miles (372 km) distance in 4h 37m.
Distance 231 miles (372 km) |
Average train duration 4h 29m |
Cheapest ticket price lei176 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 4h 37m |
First train 2:05 AM |
Last train 11:05 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 2 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 Gelsenkirchen 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 Gelsenkirchen to Kiel trains use the Gelsenkirchen Hbf to Kiel Hbf station pair. Use this guide to compare Gelsenkirchen and Kiel train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Gelsenkirchen Hbf is 1 km from Gelsenkirchen city centre. Public transport options include:
Gelsenkirchen 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: Subway, Café Madrid, Shere Punjab, Café del Sol
Wi-Fi is available at Gelsenkirchen Hbf. ATMs are available at Gelsenkirchen Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Gelsenkirchen Hbf. Information desks are available at Gelsenkirchen Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Gelsenkirchen Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Gelsenkirchen Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Gelsenkirchen Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Gelsenkirchen Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Hotel St. Petrus.
Wanne-Eickel Hbf is 3 km from Gelsenkirchen city centre. Public transport options include:
Wanne-Eickel Hbf has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Dschingis Khan, Kolpinghaus Wanne-Eickel, Nikolaus Grill, McDonald's
Wi-Fi is available at Wanne-Eickel Hbf. ATMs are available at Wanne-Eickel Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Wanne-Eickel Hbf. Information desks are available at Wanne-Eickel Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Wanne-Eickel Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Wanne-Eickel Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Wanne-Eickel Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Wanne-Eickel Hbf.
Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen is 2 km from Gelsenkirchen city centre. Public transport options include:
Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Grill-Pizzeria Grammatikas, Viva Sevilla, Nudelland
Wi-Fi is available at Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen. ATMs are available at Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen.
Ticket office support is available at Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen. Information desks are available at Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen.
Luggage storage is available at Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need