The cheapest and fastest trains from Karlsruhe to Zurich
Cheapest price
£31
Average price
£80
Fastest journey
2 h 49 m
Average duration
2 h 57 m
Trains per day
20
Distance
183 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Karlsruhe to Zurich is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Karlsruhe to Zurich will cost around £80 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £31.
Of the 20 trains that leave Karlsruhe for Zurich every day 11 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 183 km distance in an average of 2 h 57 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 49 m .
The slowest trains will take 2 h 59 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.
IC 604085:093h56Karlsruhe Hbf9:05Zurich HB£311One-way0 changes
IC 60471 · IC 5636:043h22Karlsruhe Hbf9:26Zurich HB£351One-way1 change
ICE 2737:012h59Karlsruhe Hbf10:00Zurich HB£361One-way0 changes
ICE 271 · IC 7635:563h04Karlsruhe Hbf9:00Zurich HB£361One-way1 change
ICE 27710:012h59Karlsruhe Hbf13:00Zurich HB£561One-way0 changes
ECE 1519:112h49Karlsruhe Hbf12:00Zurich HB£841One-way0 changes
ICE 27710:012h59Karlsruhe Hbf13:00Zurich HB£561One-way0 changes
ICE 2758:012h59Karlsruhe Hbf11:00Zurich HB£561One-way0 changes
ICE 103 · IC 79511:012h59Karlsruhe Hbf14:00Zurich HB£561One-way1 change
ICE 2737:012h59Karlsruhe Hbf10:00Zurich HB£361One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Karlsruhe to Zurich
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Karlsruhe to Zurich among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £13. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 10m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £13, and a train costs an average of £26.
Distance: 183 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£57 Average Price | £22 Average Price Cheapest |
3h 40m Average total duration Fastest 3h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 52m Average total duration 4h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Karlsruhe to Zurich train times
The table below shows live departures for Karlsruhe to Zurich trains for today, Tuesday 26 May. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IC 60471 | Delayed 4:04 6:04Karlsruhe Hbf | 4h01 | 8:05 8:05Zurich HB | 0 changesdirect | |
IC 60471 · IC 563 | Delayed 4:04 6:04Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h22 | 9:26 Zurich HB | 1 change | |
IC 60471 · IC 563 | Delayed 4:04 6:04Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h22 | 9:26 Zurich HB | 1 change | |
ICE 273 | Delayed 5:01 7:01Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h59 | 8:00 8:00Zurich HB | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 273 | Delayed 5:01 7:01Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h59 | 8:00 8:00Zurich HB | 0 changesdirect | |
IC 60403 | 4:04 Karlsruhe Hbf | 4h01 | 8:05 Zurich HB | 0 changesdirect | |
IC 60403 · IC 559 | 4:04 Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h22 | 7:26 Zurich HB | 1 change | |
ICE 271 · IC 763 | On time 5:56 Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h04 | 9:00 Zurich HB | 1 change | |
ICE 271+ IC 763 | On time 5:56 Karlsruhe Hbf | 3h04 | 9:00 Zurich HB | 1 change | |
ICE 275 | On time 8:01 Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h59 | 11:00 Zurich HB | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 275 | On time 8:01 Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h59 | 11:00 Zurich HB | 0 changesdirect | |
ECE 151 | On time 9:11 Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h49 | 12:00 Zurich HB | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 277 | On time 10:01 Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h59 | 13:00 Zurich HB | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 277 | On time 10:01 Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h59 | 13:00 Zurich HB | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 103 · IC 795 | On time 11:01 Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h59 | 14:00 Zurich HB | 1 change | |
ICE 103+ IC 795 | On time 11:01 Karlsruhe Hbf | 2h59 | 14:00 Zurich HB | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Karlsruhe to Zurich by coach or train
Compare coach and train 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.
27 May
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31 May
01 Jun
02 Jun
03 Jun
04 Jun
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08 Jun
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16 Jun
Why should you book Karlsruhe to Zurich trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn, but also compare tickets for the likes of ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), ÖBB | InterCity or Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) to find the best option for your trip from Karlsruhe to Zurich.
- 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 Deutsche Bahn with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Karlsruhe to Zurich.
Why book with Omio over Trainline or Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Karlsruhe to Zurich.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Karlsruhe to Zurich
Trains from Karlsruhe to Zurich run on average 11 times per day, taking around 3h 10m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £26 but you can travel from only £13 by coach.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:06, the last at 23:39. The fastest train covers the 183 km distance in 2h 49m.
Distance 183 km |
Average train duration 3h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price £26 |
Trains per day 11 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 2h 49m |
First train 0:06 |
Last train 23:39 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 21 days |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), ÖBB | InterCity, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Deutsche Bahn Regio (DB Regional), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) from Karlsruhe to Zurich trainsDeutsche Bahn, ÖBB | ICE, ÖBB | Euro City (EC), ÖBB | InterCity, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Deutsche Bahn Regio (DB Regional), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) trains will get you between Karlsruhe and Zurich from £13. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Deutsche Bahn
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.
ÖBB | ICE
ÖBB | Euro City (EC)
ÖBB | InterCity
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
Deutsche Bahn Regio (DB Regional)
Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)
FAQs: Karlsruhe to Zurich train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Karlsruhe to Zurich by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Zurich, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Karlsruhe and Zurich
- Monday: 06:30 - 21:00
- Tuesday: 06:30 - 21:00
- Wednesday: 06:30 - 21:00
- Thursday: 06:30 - 21:00
- Friday: 06:30 - 21:00
- Saturday: 08:00 - 19:00
- Sunday: 09:00 - 20:00
- Vinarte
- Am Tiergarten
- Panorama
- Alter Brauhof
- Hotel Barbarossa
- Hotel Avisa
- Am Tiergarten
- Aparthotel Aijana
- Monday: 08:00 13:30 - 12:30 18:00
- Tuesday: 08:00 13:30 - 12:30 18:00
- Wednesday: 08:00 13:30 - 12:30 18:00
- Thursday: 08:00 13:30 - 12:30 18:00
- Friday: 08:00 13:30 - 12:30 18:00
- Saturday: 09:00 - 13:00
- Hubraum
- Vogel Hausbräu Durlach
- Asia Gourmet
- Borsalino
- Hotel Große Linde
- Zum Erwin
- Der Blaue Reiter
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7. Access via Gessnerallee and Sihlquai.
- Restaurant Au Premier
- Brasserie Federal
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- CHF 2
- Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
- Hotel St. Gotthard
- Central Plaza Hotel
- Cost CHF 12
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- 1,300 places, mostly covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms 3-18 for long-distance trains
- Hall 2: S-Bahn platforms 21-24
- Hall 3: underground S-Bahn platforms 41-44
- Tram: Lines 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 13, 14
- Bus: Several lines available
- S-Bahn: Lines S2, S3, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S11, S12, S15, S16, S24
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week. Access is available from Mühlebachstrasse.
- Outback Lodge
- Tibits
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, restrooms.
- CHF 2
- Hotel Opera Zurich
- Small Luxury Hotel Ambassador Zurich
- Hotel Seehof
- Located in the main hall
- 1000 places, covered
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-3 for S-Bahn trains
- Hall 2: platform 4 for regional trains
- Tram: Line 11, Line 15
- Bus: Several lines available
- S-Bahn: Lines S3, S5, S6, S7, S9, S12, S16
Most popular train connections from Karlsruhe
More options for your journey from Karlsruhe to Zurich
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