There are 5 ways to get from Mainz to Karlsruhe by train, bus, car, or rideshare
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train via Mannheim
best- Take the train from Mainz, Hauptbahnhof to Mannheim, Hauptbahnhoftrain 55 / ...
- Take the train from Mannheim, Hauptbahnhof to Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhoftrain 12 / ...
1h 14m€14–97Rideshare
cheapest- Take the rideshare from Mainz to Karlsruhe139.4 km
1h 42m€7–11Bus
- Take the bus from Mainz central train station to Karlsruhe central train stationbus FlixBus 476
3h 50m€15–23Drive 137.3 km
- Drive from Mainz to Karlsruhecar 137.3 km
1h 11m€21–30Train
- Take the train from Mainz, Hauptbahnhof to Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhoftrain Re4
1h 40m€15–110
Mainz to Karlsruhe by train
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Mainz to Karlsruhe is to rideshare which costs €7 - €11 and takes 1h 42m.
The fastest way to get from Mainz to Karlsruhe is to drive which takes 1h 11m and costs €20 - €30.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Mainz central train station station and arriving at Karlsruhe central train station station. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 3h 50m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Mainz, Hauptbahnhof and arriving at Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof. Services depart hourly, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 1h 40m.
The distance between Mainz and Karlsruhe is 130 km. The road distance is 137.3 km.
The best way to get from Mainz to Karlsruhe without a car is to train via Mannheim which takes 1h 14m and costs €13 - €100.
It takes approximately 1h 14m to get from Mainz to Karlsruhe, including transfers.
Mainz to Karlsruhe bus services, operated by FlixBus, depart from Mainz central train station.
Mainz to Karlsruhe train services, operated by Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), depart from Mainz, Hauptbahnhof station.
The best way to get from Mainz to Karlsruhe is to train via Mannheim which takes 1h 14m and costs €13 - €100. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €15 - €23 and takes 3h 50m.
What companies run services between Mainz, Germany and Karlsruhe, Germany?
You can take a train from Mainz, Hauptbahnhof to Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof via Mannheim, Hauptbahnhof in around 1h 14m. Alternatively, FlixBus operates a bus from Mainz central train station to Karlsruhe central train station twice daily. Tickets cost €15–23 and the journey takes 3h 50m.
- Phone
- +49 30 2970
- Website
- Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
Train from Mainz, Hauptbahnhof to Mannheim, Hauptbahnhof
- Ave. Duration
- 39 min
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- €12–25
- Website
- Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
Train from Mannheim, Hauptbahnhof to Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof
- Ave. Duration
- 22 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €11–22
- Website
- Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
Train from Mainz, Hauptbahnhof to Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €25–50
- Website
- Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
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Rome2Rio's guide to FlixBus
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- [email protected]
- Website
- Flixbus
Bus from Mainz central train station to Karlsruhe central train station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 50m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €15–23
- Website
- Flixbus
- Phone
- +3 318 576 2228
- Website
- BlaBlaCar
Rideshare from Mainz to Karlsruhe
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 42m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €7–11
- Schedules at
- BlaBlaCar
Want to know more about travelling around Germany
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Booking & Getting There
Mainz to Karlsruhe bus services, operated by FlixBus, arrive at Karlsruhe central train station.
Mainz to Karlsruhe train services, operated by Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), arrive at Mannheim, Hauptbahnhof station.
Yes, the driving distance between Mainz to Karlsruhe is 137 km. It takes approximately 1h 11m to drive from Mainz to Karlsruhe.
Book your Mainz to Karlsruhe train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Mainz to Karlsruhe bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.
There are 899+ hotels available in Karlsruhe.
Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between Mainz and Karlsruhe. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.