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Trip Summary
There are 69 daily trains from Karlsruhe to Kassel. Traveling by train from Karlsruhe to Kassel usually takes around 4 hours and 25 minutes, but the fastest DB Intercity-Express train can make the trip in 3 hours and 31 minutes.
| Distance | 166 mi (268 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 31m |
| Lowest price | $36.09 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn |
| Train lines | 3 |
Which train should you take from Karlsruhe to Kassel?
There are 3 train lines with service from Karlsruhe to Kassel. Deutsche Bahn is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 59 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Intercity-Express | 1 | 3h 32m | $138.18 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 59 | 4h 27m | $120.99 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 10 | 4h 42m | $98.00 |
The most popular Deutsche Bahn ICE routes travel to Berlin, Cologne, Paris, and Munich. Seating is spacious with a good amount of legroom, and onboard amenities include complimentary WiFi, restrooms, and a restaurant car selling beverages, snacks, sandwiches, and hot meals. Unlike the rest of the Deutsche Bahn network, ticket prices on Deutsche Bahn ICE services are not based on a per-kilometer rate but on specific station-to-station links.
Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company train tickets from Karlsruhe to Kassel start from $98, and on average cost . Daily there are 10 Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company schedules to Kassel. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company in Karlsruhe leaves from Grötzingen Krappmühlenweg and 5 other stations. And in Kassel trains arrive at Train Station .
From Karlsruhe to Kassel train travel on Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company takes 4 hours and 42 minutes. If you are looking to get to Kassel faster, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 31 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Karlsruhe and Kassel is approximately 166 miles, or 268 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 25 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 31 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Trains departing from Karlsruhe to Kassel tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Saturday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Karlsruhe at 12:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 69 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Kassel to Karlsruhe.
City Information
Karlsruhe
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Pixabay
Karlsruhe is fondly referred to as the Fan-Shaped City. Even though it's at the northern edge of the Black Forest, Karlsruhe has some of the warmest weather in the country, so many visitors pick this city to experience a Mediterranean-inspired vacation in Germany. There are hundreds of fine museums, quirky galleries, and beautiful theatres in the area that are all worth checking out.
Karlsruhe is a hub for science and technology, but it has an artistic side, too. The ZKM is a unique art museum that displays contemporary video and audio installations in a former weapons factory. Hit up the Jakobus Theatre, Kammertheater Karlsruhe, or The Sandkorn Theatre for live music or theatrical performance.
Another can't-miss landmark is the Karlsruhe Palace, built in the 18th-century. Not only does the palace include stunning grounds and magnificent architecture, it also houses the Baden State Museum with exhibits about the region's history. Some of the best outdoor recreation sites are Badesee Epple, Rheinstrandbad Rappenwort, and Weingarten, offering blue waters for fishing, swimming, and sailing, respectively.
Karlsruhe is easy to reach from cities like Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt on Deutsche Bahn trains. FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, Sindbad, Union Ivkoni, and Cazmatrans provide bus service to the city as well. The Karlsruhe/Baden Airport is not too far away, so you can travel to this warm destination from nearly anywhere.
Kassel
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Located in central Germany, Kassel is a city with roots dating to the 10th century. These days, Kassel is perhaps best known for hosting documenta, a remarkable contemporary art exhibition that takes place every five years. However, if you're visiting outside of a documenta year, Kassel has many other exciting experiences to offer.
One of the most popular sites in Kassel is the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a landscape park covering over 2.5 square kilometers of hillside. Construction of the park began in 1689, and the Baroque style of the Bergpark took 150 years to complete. The park's defining feature is a giant statue of Hercules, surrounded by a system of fountains and waterworks.
Kassel is also famed for being near the hometown of the legendary writers, the Brothers Grimm, and Grimm World is the newest attraction in the city. It commemorates the brothers’ legacy through interactive and multimedia exhibits inspired by their iconic works, such as Rapunzel, Cinderella, The Frog Prince, and Snow White. The museum is not just for children, though. Prepare your worst insults to shout into the swear word generator, which translates modern German curse words into older linguistic versions.
The easiest way to reach Kassel is via one of the ICE (Inter-City Express) trains that run throughout Europe. Rail service is convenient and affordable from nearby destinations like Berlin, Leipzig, and Hamburg. Buses also provide easy travel into Kassel, and FlixBus and Sindbad operate most bus routes.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Karlsruhe?
Main departure station: Grötzingen Krappmühlenweg
Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 6 stops and stations in Karlsruhe where you can board the train.
All train stations in Karlsruhe:
Grötzingen Krappmühlenweg
Karlsruhe-Durlach
Grötzingen Oberausstraße
Grötzingen
Karlsruhe-Knielingen
Maxau
Where is the train station in Kassel?
Main arrival station: Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe
Kassel receives travelers from Karlsruhe at its two active train stations.
Train stations in Kassel:
Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe
Train Station
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