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Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cologne to Karlsruhe
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Karlsruhe among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $27 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 57m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $27, while a train costs an average of $62.
Distance: 147 miles (238 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$62 Average price | $27 Average price Cheapest | $56 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 57m Average total duration Fastest 2h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 25m Average total duration 3h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 14m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.6kg 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 Cologne to Karlsruhe:
A bus is $35 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Karlsruhe costing on average $62.
Other travel options to Karlsruhe take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 25m.
You'll arrive about 47m sooner (2h 27m by train vs 3h 14m by car). Tickets start at around $62 compared to roughly $56 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.
Travel optionsfrom Cologne to Karlsruhe
How to get from Cologne to Karlsruhe by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cologne to Karlsruhe is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- ICE 921 · 4251 · 4751 · S33:49 AM5h01Cologne Hbf8:50 AMKarlsruhe$221One-way3 transfers
Cheapest
- ICE 921 · 4251 · 4751 · S33:49 AM5h01Cologne Hbf8:50 AMKarlsruhe$221One-way3 transfers
Fastest
- ICE 1013 · ICE 755:32 PM1h51Cologne Messe/Deutz7:23 PMKarlsruhe$771One-way1 transfer
Other options
- IC 6040312:03 AM4h31Cologne Hbf4:34 AMKarlsruhe$251One-way0 transfers
- ICE 1021 · ICE 777:53 PM3h36Cologne Hbf11:29 PMKarlsruhe$311One-way1 transfer
- IC 1140 · ICE 3796:53 PM3h06Cologne Hbf9:59 PMKarlsruhe$371One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus1:35 PM4h30Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)6:05 PMKarlsruhe Hbf$251One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus11:30 PM4h20Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)3:50 AMKarlsruhe Hbf$261One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus4:50 AM4h35Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)9:25 AMKarlsruhe Hbf$261One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Cologne to Karlsruhe
Travel to Karlsruhe easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Cologne to Karlsruhe.
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Karlsruhe:
A bus is $35 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Karlsruhe costing on average $62.
Other travel options to Karlsruhe take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 25m.
- Around 11 buses per day.
- Around 9 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cologne and Karlsruhe as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Cologne Hbf and arrive in Karlsruhe Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) and arrive in Karlsruhe Hbf.
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar to go to Karlsruhe by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) to go to Karlsruhe by train.
- 10 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
- 2 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS).
Travelling from Cologne to Karlsruhe: related information
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