- 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
$115
Average price
$116
Fastest journey
5 h 31 m
Average duration
5 h 54 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
496 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Rüsselsheim to Kiel is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Rüsselsheim to Kiel will cost around $116 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $115.
It's difficult to get from Rüsselsheim to Kiel without transferring at least once.








Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Rüsselsheim to Kiel among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $92. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 5m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $92, and a flight costs an average of $235.
Distance: 308 miles (496 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$186 Average price | $92 Average price Cheapest | $235 Average price | $24 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 28m Average total duration 5h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 18h 30m Average total duration 18h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 5m Average total duration Fastest 1h 5m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 6h 7m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Rüsselsheim to Kiel:
A bus is $95 (€78) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Rüsselsheim to Kiel costing on average $186 (€153).
A bus is $144 (€118) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Rüsselsheim to Kiel costing on average $235 (€193).
Other travel options to Kiel take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 58m.
Bus takes on average 18h 0m.
You'll arrive about 9m sooner (5h 58m by train vs 6h 7m by car). Tickets start at around $186 (€153) compared to roughly $24 (€20) 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 Rüsselsheim to Kiel trains for tomorrow, Friday, July 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:09 AM Rüsselsheim Bahnhof | 5h31 | 11:40 AM Kiel | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 8:09 AM Rüsselsheim Bahnhof | 5h31 | 1:40 PM Kiel | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 9:23 AM Rüsselsheim Bahnhof | 6h17 | 3:40 PM Kiel | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 11:23 AM Rüsselsheim Bahnhof | 6h17 | 5:40 PM Kiel | 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 Rüsselsheim to Kiel run on average 5 times per day, taking around 5h 58m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $186 (€153) but you can travel from only $92 (€75) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 08:05, the last at 15:01. The fastest train covers the 308 miles (496 km) distance in 5h 58m.
Distance 308 miles (496 km) |
Average train duration 5h 58m |
Cheapest ticket price $186 (€153) |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 5h 58m |
First train 8:05 AM |
Last train 3:01 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
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 Rüsselsheim 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 Rüsselsheim to Kiel trains use the Rüsselsheim to Kiel Hbf station pair. Use this guide to compare Rüsselsheim and Kiel train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Rüsselsheim 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: Shahi, Café in der Festung, Bootshaus, Shu
Wi-Fi is available at Rüsselsheim. ATMs are available at Rüsselsheim.
Ticket office support is available at Rüsselsheim. Information desks are available at Rüsselsheim.
Luggage storage is available at Rüsselsheim. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Rüsselsheim: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Rüsselsheim: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Rüsselsheim.
Nearby hotels include Eichsfeld, Stadthotel Rüsselsheim, Hotel Europa.
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