Lowest Prices
We partner with the top bus & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Trip Summary
You can pick from 3 daily train trips between Hamburg and Karlsruhe. The average train journey from Hamburg to Karlsruhe takes 11 hours and 14 minutes, but some FlixTrain train trips are as short as 9 hours and 31 minutes.
| Distance | 321 mi (517 km) |
| Fastest train | 9h 31m |
| Lowest price | €30.63 |
| Most frequent service | FlixTrain |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Hamburg to Karlsruhe?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Hamburg to Karlsruhe was €30.63. This is an excellent deal, especially considering the length of the journey. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Karlsruhe if you book your train tickets at least 10 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra €76.63.
Monthly average prices
Ticket prices for the train from Hamburg to Karlsruhe often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in November when the average ticket price is only €41,
If you're thinking of traveling from Hamburg to Karlsruhe during April, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of €77 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in April, is to book your trip well in advance.
Which train should you take from Hamburg to Karlsruhe?
FlixTrain is the one and only train line which connects Hamburg to Karlsruhe. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixTrain | 3 | 11h 14m | €54.28 |
Part of the FlixBus family, FlixTrain launched in 2018 to offer affordable and sustainable train travel in Germany. Its trains provide Wi-Fi, power outlets, air conditioning, onboard restrooms, and access to an entertainment portal full of movies, games, and music. In addition, each passenger gets a guaranteed seat, so you don't have to worry about standing in any aisles. FlixTrain operates 3 daily trips to Karlsruhe from Hamburg. The train usually departs from Hamburg-Harburg in Hamburg and arrives at Hinterm Hauptbahnhof in Karlsruhe after about 11 hours and 14 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Hamburg and Karlsruhe is approximately 321 miles, or 517 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 14 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 9 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 from Hamburg to Karlsruhe are the most crowded on Saturday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Friday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Hamburg at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:00am. 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 3 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 Karlsruhe to Hamburg.
City Information
Hamburg
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Hamburg might be often overshadowed by Berlin or Munich, but it certainly is one of Germany’s best hidden gems. A vibrant harbor city with plenty of activities, Hamburg will keep you interested through days and nights. Among the city’s most famous attractions is the Elbphilharmonie, a stunning concert hall that could rival the famous Sydney Opera House. The concert hall also features a public viewing platform that offers a panoramic view of the city and the harbor, a great bonus for visitors who enjoy taking pictures. If you travel with kids, it is a great idea to take them to the Miniatur Wunderland, which many consider to be the largest model railway in the world. If you simply want to take a walk around and enjoy the vibe of the city, Planten und Blomen, nicknamed “the green lungs of the city”, will provide the reprieve you need.
Hamburg’s proximity to the sea allows it to offer the freshest and finest seafood dishes around. Fischereihafen Restaurant is a local favorite that has garnered plenty of attention. For the best beers around, Braugasthaus Altes Mädchen is a popular spot that is worth your attention.
The main bus station in the city is called ZOB Hamburg and it’s located at Adenauerallee 78 in the city center, serving FlixBus and Sindbad, among other carriers. Hamburg Hauptbahnhof is the main railway station in the city. For international air services, Hamburg Airport, the oldest in Germany, is the main airport.
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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Hamburg?
Main departure station: Hamburg-Harburg
There are two stations in Hamburg where you can board the train to Karlsruhe.
All train stations in Hamburg:
Hamburg-Harburg
Hamburg Train Station
Where is the train station in Karlsruhe?
Image credit: Hugh Llewelyn
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Hinterm Hauptbahnhof
Karlsruhe HBF is located in the center of the city and serves many long-distance services, seeing around 60,000 passengers per day. Trains here travel to destinations including Berlin, Hamburg, and Basel, plus intercity services to Cologne, Nuremberg, and Munich. In the station entrance hall are two restaurants, a bakery, multiple shops, newsagents, toilets, and ticket offices. There are two hotels just outside the station, Schlosshotel Karlsruhe and B&B Karlsruhe, in case you're staying overnight. If you walk a short distance through the Stadtgarten (City Gardens), you'll be in the city center, packed with shops and restaurants.
Train stations in Karlsruhe:
Hinterm Hauptbahnhof
Train Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Karlsruhe to Hamburg?
Search Train Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more