- Must visit
Mathematikum
Hands-on science museum with interactive exhibits for all ages, especially popular with families and curious adults.
Cheapest price
€37
Average price
€49
Fastest journey
2 h 22 m
Average duration
2 h 43 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
177 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Karlsruhe to Giessen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Karlsruhe to Giessen will cost around €49 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €37.
Of the 2 trains that leave Karlsruhe for Giessen on Wed, Aug 05, 2 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 177 km distance in an average of 2 h 43 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 22 m .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest trains will take 3 h 4 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 Karlsruhe to Giessen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €15. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 8m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €15, and a train costs an average of €26.
Distance: 109 miles (177 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€44 Average price | €35 Average price Cheapest | €29 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 38m Average total duration Fastest 2h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 19m Average total duration 2h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 9m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Karlsruhe to Giessen:
A bus is €9 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Karlsruhe to Giessen costing on average €44.
Other travel options to Giessen take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 49m.
You'll arrive about 1m sooner (2h 8m by train vs 2h 9m by car). Tickets start at around €44 compared to roughly €29 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.
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 Karlsruhe to Giessen trains for today, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:41 AM Karlsruhe | 2h25 | 10:06 AM Giessen | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:59 PM Karlsruhe | 2h04 | 11:03 PM Giessen | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train 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 Karlsruhe to Giessen run on average 10 times per day, taking around 2h 8m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €26 but you can travel from only €15 by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:08, the last at 23:32. The fastest train covers the 109 miles (177 km) distance in 1h 57m.
Distance 109 miles (177 km) |
Average train duration 2h 8m |
Cheapest ticket price €26 |
Trains per day 10 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 1h 57m |
First train 12:08 AM |
Last train 11:32 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Giessen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Giessen trip today.
Hands-on science museum with interactive exhibits for all ages, especially popular with families and curious adults.
Giessen’s leading art museum with changing exhibitions, regional works, and modern presentation in a central location.
Birthplace memorial museum for physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, highlighting his life, discoveries, and scientific impact.
Botanical garden founded in the university tradition, valued for plant diversity, calm atmosphere, and seasonal beauty.
Historic monastery hill on the city edge, popular for walks, views, and combining nature with heritage architecture.
Central square framed by major civic buildings, useful as an orientation point and hub for events and city walks.
A Hessian potato soup often served with sausage. It is simple regional comfort food long linked to home cooking in central Hesse.
A rustic sour milk cheese from Hesse, usually served with onions, vinegar and oil. It is one of the region's most iconic tavern dishes.
Green sauce made with seven fresh herbs, traditionally eaten with eggs and potatoes. A classic Hessian spring and summer dish.
Refined restaurant known for modern seasonal cuisine and an elegant atmosphere, suited for a higher-end dinner.
Popular beer garden and casual dining spot with German dishes and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere by the Lahn.
Traditional Hessian brewery restaurant serving regional classics and beer in a lively rustic setting near the center.
Moderate for Germany. Hotels and dining are fairly priced, and local transit is reasonable. Costs are usually lower than Frankfurt or Munich.
Service is usually included, but rounding up is standard. Tip 5-10% in restaurants for good service, round up taxi fares, and leave small change at cafes.
Official public transport app
Giessen Bahnhof -> Marktplatz Giessen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Karlsruhe to Giessen 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 Giessen, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Karlsruhe to Giessen trains use the Karlsruhe Hbf to Gießen station pair. Use this guide to compare Karlsruhe and Giessen train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Karlsruhe Hbf is 1 km from Karlsruhe city centre. Public transport options include:
Karlsruhe 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: Vinarte, Am Tiergarten, Panorama, Alter Brauhof
Wi-Fi is available at Karlsruhe Hbf. ATMs are available at Karlsruhe Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Karlsruhe Hbf. Information desks are available at Karlsruhe Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Karlsruhe Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Karlsruhe Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Karlsruhe Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Karlsruhe Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Barbarossa, Hotel Avisa, Am Tiergarten, Aparthotel Aijana.
Karlsruhe West is 1 km from Karlsruhe city centre. Public transport options include:
Karlsruhe West 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: Beim Schupi, Rosenstüble 2.0, Saloniki, Rote Taube
Wi-Fi is available at Karlsruhe West. ATMs are available at Karlsruhe West.
Ticket office support is available at Karlsruhe West. Information desks are available at Karlsruhe West.
Luggage storage is available at Karlsruhe West. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Karlsruhe West: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Karlsruhe West: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Karlsruhe West.
Nearby hotels include Beim Schupi.
Gießen 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: Aydin Grill, Südwinde, Subway, Alt Giessen
Wi-Fi is available at Gießen. ATMs are available at Gießen.
Ticket office support is available at Gießen. Information desks are available at Gießen.
Luggage storage is available at Gießen. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Gießen: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Gießen: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Gießen.
Nearby hotels include Liebig-Hotel, Hotel Flamingo, Hotel Köhler, Hotel Adler.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need