Cologne to Karlsruhe bus with FlixBus

Tue 15 Sept
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2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Cologne to Karlsruhe

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 15 Sept

Cheapest price on 15 Sept

£15

Average ticket price on 15 Sept

£16

Fastest journey on 15 Sept

4 h 20 m

Average journey duration on 15 Sept

4 h 29 m

Buses on 15 Sept

6

Distance

238 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cologne to Karlsruhe is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Cologne to Karlsruhe will cost around £16 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £15.

Fast coaches

On Tue 15 Sept, we found 6 buses from Cologne to Karlsruhe, including 6 direct services.

These direct buses cover the 238 km distance in an average of 4 h 29 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 20 m .

The slowest buses will take 4 h 40 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    18:354h20
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    22:55Karlsruhe Hbf
    £151One-way
    0 changes
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    23:304h20
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    3:50Karlsruhe Hbf
    £151One-way
    0 changes
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    13:354h30
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    18:05Karlsruhe Hbf
    £161One-way
    0 changes
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    22:204h40
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    3:00Karlsruhe Hbf
    £161One-way
    0 changes
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    4:504h35
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    9:25Karlsruhe Hbf
    £181One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Cologne to Karlsruhe

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Karlsruhe among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £19 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 57m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £19, while a train costs an average of £45.

Distance: 238 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train
Driving

£19

Average Price

Cheapest

£45

Average Price

£41

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

4h 25m

Average total duration

3h 55m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 57m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 27m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 14m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.2 - 0.6kg

CO2 emissions

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

-

CO2 emissions

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Deutsche Bahn

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Cologne to Karlsruhe is a coach with an average price of £19.

This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Karlsruhe:

A coach is £25 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Karlsruhe costing on average £45.

The fastest way to travel from Cologne to Karlsruhe is by train with an average journey time of 2h 27m.

Other travel options to Karlsruhe take longer:

Coach takes on average 3h 55m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cologne and Karlsruhe including taking a train and coach.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.

Tickets start at around £19 compared to roughly £41 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £22. The journey takes 3h 55m versus 3h 14m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Direct services are operated by FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.

Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.

Live departures

Cologne to Karlsruhe bus times

The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Karlsruhe coaches for today, Monday 14 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
FlixBusFlixBus18:35 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
4h20
22:55 Karlsruhe Hbf0 changesdirect
FlixBusFlixBus22:20 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
4h40
3:00 Karlsruhe Hbf0 changesdirect
FlixBusFlixBus23:30 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
4h20
3:50 Karlsruhe Hbf0 changesdirect
Tuesday 15 September
FlixBusFlixBus4:50 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
4h35
9:25 Karlsruhe Hbf0 changesdirect
FlixBusFlixBus8:15 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
5h40
13:55 Karlsruhe Hbf0 changesdirect
FlixBusFlixBus13:35 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
4h30
18:05 Karlsruhe Hbf0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Cologne to Karlsruhe by train or coach

Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Tue
15 Sept
Wed
16 Sept
Thu
17 Sept
Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept

Why should you book Cologne to Karlsruhe coaches with Omio?

FlixBus operates all coaches services from Cologne to Karlsruhe.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cologne to Karlsruhe.

Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?

  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare FlixBus with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cologne to Karlsruhe.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Cologne to Karlsruhe.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Cologne to Karlsruhe

GermanyGermany
GermanyGermany
Icon of bus

Buses from Cologne to Karlsruhe run on average 11 times per day, taking around 3h 55m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £13 if you book in advance.

There are 10 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:25, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 238 km distance in 4h 20m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
238 km
Average bus duration
3h 55m
Cheapest ticket price
£13
Buses per day
11
Direct buses
10
Fastest bus
4h 20m
First bus
0:25
Last bus
23:55
Cheapest Month
Sept
Cheapest Day
Wed
High Season
Oct - Dec
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Tue
Least Busy Day
Sun
Best time to book
21 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar from Cologne to KarlsruheYou can travel by bus between Cologne to Karlsruhe with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar for as low as £13. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

FlixBus

About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average FlixBus Duration
4h 20m
Cheapest FlixBus Price
£13
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.

BlaBlaCar

About
BlaBlaCar is a French online marketplace for carpooling, connecting drivers with empty seats and passengers traveling to the same destination to share costs. Founded in 2006, it operates in Europe and Latin America, boasting 26 million active members. The platform also includes BlaBlaCar Bus, an intercity bus service. BlaBlaCar's name comes from its rating system for drivers' chattiness: \Bla\" for quiet, \"BlaBla\" for talkative, and \"BlaBlaBla\" for very chatty. The company aims to be the leading marketplace for shared travel, offering affordable and sustainable solutions by combining carpooling with bus journeys."
Luggage & cancellation policy
BlaBlaCar frequency
4 a day

Bus providers: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar from Cologne to KarlsruheYou can travel by bus between Cologne to Karlsruhe with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar for as low as £13. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

FlixBus

About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average FlixBus Duration
4h 20m
Cheapest FlixBus Price
£13
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.

BlaBlaCar

About
BlaBlaCar is a French online marketplace for carpooling, connecting drivers with empty seats and passengers traveling to the same destination to share costs. Founded in 2006, it operates in Europe and Latin America, boasting 26 million active members. The platform also includes BlaBlaCar Bus, an intercity bus service. BlaBlaCar's name comes from its rating system for drivers' chattiness: \Bla\" for quiet, \"BlaBla\" for talkative, and \"BlaBlaBla\" for very chatty. The company aims to be the leading marketplace for shared travel, offering affordable and sustainable solutions by combining carpooling with bus journeys."
Luggage & cancellation policy
BlaBlaCar frequency
4 a day

Complete guide to Karlsruhe

Things to do in Karlsruhe

Discover the best of Karlsruhe — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Karlsruhe trip today.

  • Must visit

Badisches Landesmuseum

A major collection on Baden’s history, culture and global artefacts inside Karlsruhe Palace. A strong first stop for understanding the region and city.

  • Must visit

ZKM | Zentrum für Kunst und Medien

An interactive museum on media art and digital culture in a landmark industrial complex. Ideal for contemporary art, sound and technology exhibitions.

  • Recommended

Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe

A leading art museum with works from past centuries to modern pieces. The broad collection and central location make it an easy cultural highlight.

Euro (€)

Moderate for Germany: hotels and dining are mid-priced, while local transport is reasonable. Cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt, but not as low-cost as smaller regional towns.

Average meal costs

Budget
€8-12 for fast food or a simple lunch.
Mid-range
€18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
€60+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
€3-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Service is usually included, but small tips are expected. Round up or add 5-10% in restaurants, round up taxi fares, and leave small change in cafés.

FAQs: Cologne to Karlsruhe coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Karlsruhe by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Karlsruhe, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Cologne to Karlsruhe can start from as little as £13 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Cologne to Karlsruhe is £19; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Cologne to Karlsruhe is 4h 20m to travel the 238 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Cologne to Karlsruhe leaves at 0:25. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Cologne to Karlsruhe leaves at 23:55.
Yes, there are 10 direct coaches a day from Cologne to Karlsruhe with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.
When taking a coach from Cologne to Karlsruhe, you can count on FlixBus, BlaBlaCar for the best way to get you to Karlsruhe. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Cologne and Karlsruhe and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Karlsruhe from Cologne is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 4h 20m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Cologne to Karlsruhe is September.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cologne and Karlsruhe including taking a train and coach.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Cologne to Karlsruhe:
  • FlixBus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Cologne to Karlsruhe for coach company FlixBus.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Cologne to Karlsruhe depends on the coach companies:
  • FlixBus
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company FlixBus.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Cologne to Karlsruhe.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Cologne to Karlsruhe:
  • FlixBus
    • One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Cologne to Karlsruhe:
  • FlixBus
    • Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the coach from Cologne to Karlsruhe. The following conditions apply:
  • FlixBus
    • Small pets in carriers allowed
    • guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Cologne to Karlsruhe with the following coach company: FlixBus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Cologne to Karlsruhe with the following coach company: FlixBus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Cologne to Karlsruhe with the following coach company: FlixBus.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Cologne and Karlsruhe

Most Cologne to Karlsruhe buses use the Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) to Karlsruhe Hbf station pair, with some services arriving at Karlsruhe, Hinterm Hauptbahnhof (Südeingang). Use this guide to compare Cologne and Karlsruhe bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Cologne
Arrival bus stations in Karlsruhe

Which Cologne station do buses to Karlsruhe leave from?

Buses from Cologne to Karlsruhe leave from Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen). The station is 13 km from Cologne city centre at Kennedystrasse, Koln, Germany.
Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen)Kennedystrasse, Koln, GermanyWifiParkingATMAccessibilityWC
City-centre transport

Getting to Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) from Cologne city centre

Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) is 13 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainRe · 8m · £4 · every ~2 min
Rb26 · 12m · £4

Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) bus station facilities and services

Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Accessibility and WC.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen): Parking, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen): Elevators, ramps.

Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)Kennedystrasse, 51147 Koln, GermanyWifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) from Cologne city centre

Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) is 13 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainRe · 16m · £4 · every ~2 min
Rb26 · 20m · £4
Re · 21m · every ~2 min
BusS19, S12 · 27m · £4

Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) bus station facilities and services

Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance and baggage claim area.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2).

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2): Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2): Elevators, ramps.

More options for your journey from Cologne to Karlsruhe

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

Most popular bus connections

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