How to travel from Karlsruhe to Dresden, Germany

The distance between Karlsruhe and Dresden is around 532km (330 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 2h 15m.

8 routes found

We've found 8 different ways to get from Karlsruhe to Dresden by train, plane, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out DresdenKarlsruhe if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
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Train to Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf, Fly

Take the train to Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf then fly from Frankfurt (FRA) to Dresden (DRS).

  • Duration2h 15m
  • Flight time1hr
  • Typical cost
    €175($175)
Operated by

Multiple operators

3 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

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Train

Take the train to Frankfurt(Main)Hbf and then to Dresden-Neustadt.

  • Duration5h 10m
  • Departsevery 2 hours
  • Typical cost
    €150($150)

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

💰 Cheapest
3
bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Dresden Hauptbahnhof.

  • Duration8h 30m
  • Departstwice daily
Operated byFlixBus-de+ 1 others
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car
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Drive

Drive to Dresden Hbf.

  • Duration4h 45m
  • Distance553km (344 miles)
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Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Karlsruhe and Dresden

There are several options for getting from Karlsruhe to Dresden by train, plane, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around and will take around 8h 30m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 2h 15m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately €175 ($175).

The distance between Karlsruhe and Dresden is around 532km (330 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 443km (276 miles)

It takes around 2h 45m to get from Karlsruhe and Dresden by train and plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 4h 45m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Karlsruhe to Dresden is to take the train and then fly which takes around 2h 15m and will set you back approx €175 ($175).

The cheapest way to travel between Karlsruhe and Dresden, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Karlsruhe and Dresden. It typically takes around 5h 10m and departs every 2 hours.

There are no direct train services that runs from Karlsruhe to Dresden. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Frankfurt(Main)Hbf. These services run every 2 hours and will take a minimum of 5h 10m.

Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity, Deutsche Bahn Regional, Süwex, TGV inOui, Trenitalia EuroCity, Swiss Railways and Deutsche Bahn Eurocity run train services between Karlsruhe and Dresden. Trains depart every 2 hours and will take around 5h 10m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Karlsruhe and Dresden. It typically takes around 8h 30m and departs 4 times a week.

Yes there is a direct bus service that runs between Karlsruhe and Dresden with no changeovers required. The bus runs 4 times a week and takes 8h 30m.

FlixBus-de run regular bus services between Karlsruhe and Dresden. Buses run 4 times a week and take around 8h 30m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Karlsruhe to Dresden. We recommend that you take the train to Stuttgart Hbf then fly from Stuttgart (STR) to Dresden (DRS). instead which will take 2h 45m.

The closest major airport to Dresden is Dresden Airport (DRS) (DRS) which is approximately 9km (5 miles) from Dresden. Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) (LEJ) and Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) (BER) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Karlsruhe and Dresden. The distance is around 553km (344 miles) by road and it will take around 4h 45m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Karlsruhe to Dresden is to take the train and then fly which takes, on average, 2h 45m and will usually cost around €130 ($130).

How do I get from Karlsruhe to Dresden

Compare travel optionsbetween Karlsruhe and Dresden

Transport options from Karlsruhe to Dresden
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train to Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf, Fly + 3 similar
2h 15m
€175($175)
every 3 hours532km (330 miles)
Train and Plane2h 45m
€130($130)
hourly538km (335 miles)
Train to Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf, plane3h 15m
€215($215)
every 3 hours568km (353 miles)
Train to Stuttgart Hbf, plane4h 15m
€205($205)
every 4 hours777km (483 miles)
Train + 1 similar
5h 10m
€150($150)
every 2 hours623km (387 miles)
Train via Frankfurt(Main)Hbf5h 20m
€160($160)
every 4 hours627km (390 miles)
Bus
8h 30m
twice daily599km (372 miles)
Drive
4h 45m
€73($73)
on demand553km (344 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Karlsruhe and Dresden

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Dresden

The following major airports near Dresden offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Germany and internationally.

DRS
Dresden Airport (DRS)
International Airport
Distance
9km (5 miles) from Dresden
LEJ
Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ)
International Airport
Distance
113km (70 miles) from Dresden
BER
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
International Airport
Distance
147km (92 miles) from Dresden