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Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Mainz to Karlsruhe. Traveling by train from Mainz to Karlsruhe usually takes around 3 hours and 55 minutes, but the fastest FlixTrain train can make the trip in 3 hours and 54 minutes.
| Distance | 68 mi (110 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 54m |
| Lowest price | $17.61 |
| Most frequent service | FlixTrain |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Mainz to Karlsruhe?
FlixTrain is the one and only train line which connects Mainz to Karlsruhe. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixTrain | 1 | 3h 55m | $20.86 |
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 1 daily trips to Karlsruhe from Mainz. The train usually departs from Central Station in Mainz and arrives at Hinterm Hauptbahnhof in Karlsruhe after about 3 hours and 55 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Mainz and Karlsruhe is approximately 68 miles, or 110 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 55 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 54 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 Mainz to Karlsruhe tend to have the most passengers on Tuesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Tuesday. 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 Sunday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Mainz at 5:00am and arrives in Karlsruhe around 3 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Karlsruhe to Mainz.
City Information
Mainz
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Unsplash
Mainz is the state of Rhineland-Palatinate’s capital city and is located along the Rhine River, close to Frankfurt. The city is a cultural center and a transportation hub in the region, known for its delightful wine and historic buildings. The most iconic building in the city is the Mainz Cathedral, a grand Romanesque cathedral over 1,000 years old. The cathedral dominates the historic market square, surrounded by other charming buildings like the iconic half-timbered houses of the area.
Also off the historic market square, you'll find the Gutenberg Museum, dedicated to the history of printing and home to two of Johannes Gutenberg's Bibles. Mainz includes several other noteworthy museums to round out your visit: the Museum of Ancient Seafaring with a focus on Roman ships, Kunsthalle de Mayence, a museum of art, and Landesmuseum Mainz, which focuses on local history.
The Frankfurt Airport is the airport closest to Mainz, and it's easy to take a train to Frankfurt before catching a flight. Of course, trains also connect to other German cities like Stuttgart, Munich, and Hamburg. Mainz is also accessible via intercity bus routes that cover most of Europe.
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 Mainz?
Main departure station: Central Station
There is one train station in Mainz.
All train stations in Mainz:
Central 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
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Need a return trip from Karlsruhe to Mainz?
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