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Trip Summary
There are usually 179 daily train trips available from Karlsruhe to Jena. Traveling by train from Karlsruhe to Jena usually takes 5 hours and 31 minutes, but the fastest Deutsche Bahn train can make the trip in 4 hours and 13 minutes.
| Distance | 194 mi (312 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 13m |
| Lowest price | $35.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn |
| Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Karlsruhe to Jena?
There are 4 train lines with service from Karlsruhe to Jena. Deutsche Bahn is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 136 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Intercity | 1 | 5h 53m | $76.69 |
| DB Intercity-Express | 1 | 4h 14m | $105.22 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 136 | 5h 29m | $98.62 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 41 | 5h 42m | $100.50 |
Deutsche Bahn IC is the German railway's long-distance train service provider with service across Germany and neighboring countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, and Poland. Onboard amenities include restrooms, power outlets, and a restaurant car where passengers can purchase drinks, snacks, and meals.
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 Jena start from $35, and on average cost . Daily there are 41 Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company schedules to Jena. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company in Karlsruhe leaves from Grötzingen Krappmühlenweg and 10 other stations. And in Jena trains arrive at Jena West .
From Karlsruhe to Jena train travel on Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company takes 5 hours and 42 minutes. If you are looking to get to Jena faster, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 4 hours and 13 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Karlsruhe and Jena is approximately 194 miles, or 312 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 31 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 13 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 Karlsruhe to Jena 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 Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
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 179 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Karlsruhe to Jena. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Jena 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.
Jena
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Jena is a German city famous for its rolling hills and a variety of wild orchids. One of the most iconic landmarks in the city is Stadtkirche Sankt Michael, or the Church of St. Michael. The church's magnificent Gothic architecture includes a tower that may have once seemed tall, but is now dwarfed by the neighboring JenTower skyscraper. The cylindrical JenTower has an observation deck and restaurant on the top floor where you can get the best views of Jena.
Jena has a wealth of quirky museums that are not your average art or history museums. For example, the Optical Museum exhibits a wide range of glasses, microscopes, and cameras from various points in optics history. Planetarium Jena often runs laser astronomy shows, and the Phyletic Museum hosts a small but rich collection of natural history exhibits. Of course, you can always simply stroll in the Botanischer Garten, one of the oldest botanical gardens in Germany.
The central hub of intercity bus transportation in the city is the Jena Paradies Bus Station, right in the city's center. Travel to Jena includes bus service on FlixBus, plus numerous train routes on the Deutsche Bahn network.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Karlsruhe?
Main departure station: Albtalbf
Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 11 stops and stations in Karlsruhe where you can board the train.
All train stations in Karlsruhe:
Albtalbf
Karlsruhe-Hagsfeld
Train Station
Karlsruhe-Mühlburg
Karlsruhe-Durlach
Karlsruhe West
Grötzingen
Grötzingen Oberausstraße
Grötzingen Krappmühlenweg
Maxau
Karlsruhe-Knielingen
Where is the train station in Jena?
Main arrival station: Jena West
Jena receives travelers from Karlsruhe at its two active train stations.
All train stations in Jena:
Jena West
Jena Paradies Bus Station
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Need a return trip from Jena to Karlsruhe?
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