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Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Dortmund to Karlsruhe
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Dortmund to Karlsruhe among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $31 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 21m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $31, while a train costs an average of $73.
Distance: 178 miles (287 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$73 Average price | $31 Average price Cheapest | $67 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 21m Average total duration Fastest 3h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 28m Average total duration 4h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 58m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.7kg 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 Dortmund to Karlsruhe:
A bus is $42 (€34) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Dortmund to Karlsruhe costing on average $73 (€59).
Other travel options to Karlsruhe take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 28m.
You'll arrive about 7m sooner (3h 51m by train vs 3h 58m by car). Tickets start at around $73 (€59) compared to roughly $67 (€54) 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 Dortmund to Karlsruhe
How to get from Dortmund to Karlsruhe by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Dortmund to Karlsruhe is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- FlixBus · FlixBus12:40 PM7h25Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf8:05 PMKarlsruhe Hbf$271One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
- FlixBus · FlixBus12:40 PM7h25Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf8:05 PMKarlsruhe Hbf$271One-way1 transfer
Fastest
- ICE 611 · ICE 3752:36 PM3h22Dortmund Hbf5:58 PMKarlsruhe$991One-way1 transfer
Other options
- 26430 · 17429 · ICE 1021 · ICE 776:09 PM5h20Dortmund Hbf11:29 PMKarlsruhe$471One-way3 transfers
- 26727 · ICE 997 · ICE 695 · ICE 2055:39 PM5h20Dortmund Hbf10:59 PMKarlsruhe$491One-way3 transfers
- 26428 · 17427 · IC 1140 · ICE 3795:09 PM4h50Dortmund Hbf9:59 PMKarlsruhe$571One-way3 transfers
- FlixBus · FlixBus5:10 AM8h15Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf1:25 PMKarlsruhe Hbf$341One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus9:15 PM6h00Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf3:15 AMKarlsruhe Hbf$371One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
Compare train and bus 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.
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FAQs: Travel from Dortmund 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 Dortmund to Karlsruhe.
This is compared to other travel options from Dortmund to Karlsruhe:
A bus is $42 (€34) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Dortmund to Karlsruhe costing on average $73 (€59).
Other travel options to Karlsruhe take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 28m.
- Around 9 trains per day.
- Around 6 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Dortmund and Karlsruhe as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Dortmund Hbf and arrive in Karlsruhe Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf and arrive in Karlsruhe Hbf.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) to go to Karlsruhe by train.
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar to go to Karlsruhe by bus.
- 1 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC).
- 4 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
Travelling from Dortmund to Karlsruhe: related information
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