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Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Gelsenkirchen to Karlsruhe. Traveling by train from Gelsenkirchen to Karlsruhe usually takes 8 hours and 44 minutes, but the fastest FlixTrain train can make the trip in 8 hours and 2 minutes.
| Distance | 183 mi (294 km) |
| Fastest train | 8h 2m |
| Lowest price | $20.22 |
| Most frequent service | FlixTrain |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Gelsenkirchen to Karlsruhe?
FlixTrain is the one and only train line which connects Gelsenkirchen to Karlsruhe. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixTrain | 2 | 8h 45m | $24.47 |
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 2 daily trips to Karlsruhe from Gelsenkirchen. The train usually departs from Gelsenkirchen Hbf in Gelsenkirchen and arrives at Hinterm Hauptbahnhof in Karlsruhe after about 8 hours and 45 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Gelsenkirchen and Karlsruhe is approximately 183 miles, or 294 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 44 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours and 2 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.
Monday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Gelsenkirchen to Karlsruhe. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Monday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Friday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Gelsenkirchen at 11:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 5:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Trains leave the station in Gelsenkirchen twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. 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 change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Gelsenkirchen?
Main departure station: Gelsenkirchen Hbf
There is one train station in Gelsenkirchen.
All train stations in Gelsenkirchen:
Gelsenkirchen Hbf
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.
All train stations in Karlsruhe:
Hinterm Hauptbahnhof
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