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Trip Summary
151 trains operate daily from Aachen to Karlsruhe. The train trip from Aachen to Karlsruhe is usually about 6 hours and 13 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Deutsche Bahn train can get you there in as little as 4 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 160 mi (257 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 15m |
| Lowest price | €25.06 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Aachen to Karlsruhe?
2 train services operate from Aachen to Karlsruhe. Deutsche Bahn usually has more trains scheduled, with 123 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deutsche Bahn | 123 | 5h 50m | €69.90 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 29 | 8h 27m | €40.14 |
Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company train tickets from Aachen to Karlsruhe start from €25, and on average cost . Daily there are 29 Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company schedules to Karlsruhe. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company in Aachen leaves from Eilendorf . And in Karlsruhe trains arrive at Karlsruhe-Durlach and 5 other train stations.
From Aachen to Karlsruhe train travel on Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company takes 8 hours and 27 minutes. If you are looking to get to Karlsruhe faster, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 4 hours and 15 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers 34 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Karlsruhe.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Aachen and Karlsruhe is approximately 160 miles, or 257 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 13 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 15 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 Aachen to Karlsruhe are the most crowded on Monday. 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 Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Aachen at 00:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 23:00. 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 151 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 Aachen.
City Information
Aachen
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Unsplash
Positioned near the Dutch and Belgian borders in the west of Germany, Aachen is a true hidden gem. Once a Roman spa town, this historic city dates back to the 1st-century and later became a favorite residence of the Frankish king, Charlemagne. A royal experience surely awaits you as well on your visit to Aachen.
The most striking building in this city is undoubtedly Aachen Cathedral. This cathedral is the first place in Europe to receive the prestigious status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in part because it is one of the oldest cathedrals in Europe. The cathedral is also the final resting place of Charlemange, though the exact whereabouts of his remains are unknown.
After a day spent walking around the city, visit the Carolus Thermen, or thermal baths, to soak in the hot mineral spring waters once loved by the Romans. Choose between a range of indoor or outdoor pools, saunas, and spa treatments to enjoy what the Romans called "salus per aquam," or "health by water."
Because of its border location, Aachen is easy to reach from Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Frequent international and national trains run through the train stations, while the international airport is served by many major airlines. Bus lines including FlixBus and Sindbad provide affordable ground travel from many destinations. Some of the more popular routes to Aachen depart from Berlin, Amsterdam, and Brussels.
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 Aachen?
Image credit: Lewin Bormann
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Eilendorf
Aachen Eilendorf is the main railway station in Aachen. The station does not have a building, like many rural stops, with just two platforms for trains going into Aachen centre and out to Stolberg. The RB20 regional services here depart about every fifteen minutes. There's also service to Aachen, which stops directly in the city's center. From there, you can catch connections across Germany and the Netherlands. The station has seating and ticket machines, but not much else. Luckily there's an ice cream shop and restaurant close by if you want to stretch your legs, and there's even a wine shop on the other side of the station. If you want more options, head into Aachen proper by catching a local coach from outside Eilendorf Station further into the district.
All train stations in Aachen:
Eilendorf
Where is the train station in Karlsruhe?
Main arrival station: Grötzingen Krappmühlenweg
There are more train stations and stops in Karlsruhe than most cities. Most trains from Aachen will stop at one (or more) of the 6 following stations in Karlsruhe:
Train stations in Karlsruhe:
Grötzingen Krappmühlenweg
Karlsruhe-Durlach
Grötzingen
Grötzingen Oberausstraße
Karlsruhe-Knielingen
Maxau
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Need a return trip from Karlsruhe to Aachen?
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