1st Class
- Power plugs
- Wide seats
- Extra legroom
- Quiet zone
- WC
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£9
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£24
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
1 h 18 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
2 h 11 m
Trains on 18 Sept
3
Distance
109 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Mainz to Karlsruhe is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Mainz to Karlsruhe will cost around £24 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £9.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 3 trains from Mainz to Karlsruhe, including 1 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 109 km distance in an average of 2 h 11 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 18 m .
The slowest trains will take 3 h 2 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.
ICE 991 · ICE 273
Bus S8E · ICE 699 · IC 60403
S6
ICE 991 · ICE 273
S6
Bus S8E · ICE 699 · IC 60403Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Mainz to Karlsruhe among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £14 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 54m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £14, while a train costs an average of £19.
Distance: 109 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£19 Average Price | £14 Average Price Cheapest | £19 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 54m Average total duration Fastest 1h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 25m Average total duration 1h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 28m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus 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.
This is compared to other travel options from Mainz to Karlsruhe:
A coach is £5 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Mainz to Karlsruhe costing on average £19.
Other travel options to Karlsruhe take longer:
Coach takes on average 1h 55m.
You'll arrive about 4m sooner (1h 24m by train vs 1h 28m by car). Tickets start at around £19 compared to roughly £19 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Direct services run with Süwex, Deutsche Bahn Regio (DB Regional).
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Mainz to Karlsruhe trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4477 | 12:13 Mainz Hbf | 1h40 | 13:53 Karlsruhe | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 2013 · ICE 371 | On time 12:42 Mainz Hbf | 1h17 | 13:59 Karlsruhe | 1 change | |
S6 | 12:52 Mainz Hbf | 2h26 | 15:18 Karlsruhe | 0 changesdirect | |
4495 · ICE 107 | 13:13 Mainz Hbf | 1h46 | 14:59 Karlsruhe | 1 change | |
S5 · ICE 73 | On time 13:22 Mainz Hbf | 2h01 | 15:23 Karlsruhe | 1 change | |
ICE 29 · ICE 919 · ICE 73 | On time 13:42 Mainz Hbf | 1h41 | 15:23 Karlsruhe | 2 changes | |
| Friday 18 September | |||||
Bus S8E · ICE 699 · IC 60403 | 0:58 Bahnstrecke Mainz–Mannheim | 3h02 | 4:00 Karlsruhe Hbf | 2 changes | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Mainz to Karlsruhe run on average 9 times per day, taking around 1h 24m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £10 but you can travel from only £9 by coach.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:08, the last at 23:53. The fastest train covers the 109 km distance in 1h 30m.
Distance 109 km |
Average train duration 1h 24m |
Cheapest ticket price £10 |
Trains per day 9 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 1h 30m |
First train 0:08 |
Last train 23:53 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 35 days |
Compare Deutsche Bahn classes and the amenities included in each one.
Discover the best of Karlsruhe — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Karlsruhe trip today.
A major collection on Baden’s history, culture and global artefacts inside Karlsruhe Palace. A strong first stop for understanding the region and city.
An interactive museum on media art and digital culture in a landmark industrial complex. Ideal for contemporary art, sound and technology exhibitions.
A leading art museum with works from past centuries to modern pieces. The broad collection and central location make it an easy cultural highlight.
The grand central square lined with historic buildings, the pyramid and fountains. It is the city’s main meeting point and a practical base for sightseeing.
This vast landscaped park behind the palace is ideal for walks, picnics and seasonal events. It offers one of Karlsruhe’s most relaxed urban green spaces.
A lively shopping street with cafés, shops and everyday city life. Walk here to experience modern Karlsruhe between the market square and Ettlinger Tor.
A Swabian-Baden pasta dish of filled noodle pockets, usually with minced meat and spinach. Common across south-west Germany and a staple in local inns.
Soft egg noodles from Swabia, often served with gravy, cheese or lentils. They are a beloved comfort food throughout Baden-Württemberg.
A thin Baden-style potato soup, often enriched with vegetables and stock. It is a traditional everyday dish in the region around Karlsruhe.
Refined modern dining in an elegant setting at Hotel Der Blaue Reiter, known for carefully plated tasting menus and polished service.
Stylish long-running restaurant in Durlach with seasonal menus and a polished take on regional and European cooking.
Traditional Baden brewery restaurant serving hearty regional dishes and house beer in a lively, wood-panelled setting near the city centre.
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.
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.
Official public transport app
Karlsruhe Hbf -> Marktplatz, Karlsruhe
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Mainz to Karlsruhe 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 Karlsruhe, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Mainz to Karlsruhe trains use the Mainz Hbf to Karlsruhe Hbf station pair. Use this guide to compare Mainz and Karlsruhe train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Mainz Hbf is 2 km from Mainz city centre. Public transport options include:
Mainz Hbf has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Mangal, Asia Wok, Bistrorante Midi, McDonald's
Wi-Fi is available at Mainz Hbf. ATMs are available at Mainz Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Mainz Hbf. Information desks are available at Mainz Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Mainz Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Mainz Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Mainz Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Mainz Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Advena Europa Hotel, GuestHouse Mainz, Terminus, Hotel Moguntia.
Karlsruhe Hbf is 1 km from Karlsruhe city centre. Public transport options include:
Karlsruhe Hbf has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Vinarte, Am Tiergarten, Panorama, Alter Brauhof
Wi-Fi is available at Karlsruhe Hbf. ATMs are available at Karlsruhe Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Karlsruhe Hbf. Information desks are available at Karlsruhe Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Karlsruhe Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Karlsruhe Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Karlsruhe Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Karlsruhe Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Barbarossa, Hotel Avisa, Am Tiergarten, Aparthotel Aijana.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need