Train transfers in Germany

I would always go for the shortest transfer time. Trains are more pleasant places to be than stations. A good railway knows that and tries to avoid inflicting transfers of more than 15 minutes on its passengers.

Both stations are big stations, and you will be waiting under cover. Both have cafes etc... Although Frankfurt does have more choice.

However, DB's schedule for December 23 is not out yet. So you will have to wait with booking anyway.

Thank you. That makes sense. I am aware that the timetable for our travel dates is not available yet but I am playing around with slightly earlier dates on the assumption that not much will change although I am prepared for things to be different with the December timetable change.

I go through both stations fairly often, so I'll comment.

23 DEC is a Tuesday, so it will be a normal workday, all the normal trains should be running. Since it's a workday you'll have the normal congestion, with the exception of students, who will be on holiday. There should be fewer people in Karlsruhe.

Provided your first train is not delayed, and barring something unusual (river flooding, ice storm, etc.) the time you have at either station is going to be more than you'll require to get to your next platform. In Karlsruhe moving from 2 to 6 is a 5 minute walk. You have to go down the stairs, then over and back up. In Frankfurt 21 is down on the end, but all on the same level, so you'll have to get through the crowds around the kiosks, but still you should have lots' of time.

Karlsruhe is a straight through design, it will be colder and wetter. In Frankfurt all the trains come and go the same direction.

Thanks for the tips.

might it make a difference if one of the two options has you changing around a meal time? Nearly an hour in Frankfurt will give plenty of time to sit and have a meal, and there is lots of choice.

Good luck whichever way you choose.

if you are using the site https://int.bahn.de/en, click on the station name where you change trains. That will take you to the station services site, There you will see a link to download a pdf of the station and track plan. That link will bring up an isometric drawing of the station track layout and all the services so you can see for yourself.

For instance, at Karlsruhe, there is an escalator down to the crossover passage at Track 2, but just stairs up to Track 6, but both have elevators. Nice if you have a lot of luggage. You will also see a bakery by the stairway up to Track 6.

At Frankfurt Hbf, the walk from Track 6 to Track 21 is lined with restaurants and shops.

Personally, I'd choose the change at Karlsruhe as it will get you to Strasbourg almost an hour quicker, mainly because of the shorter transfer time.

We lived in Germany from 87-91 and used the trains quite a bit. Trains were always on time. There was a printed schedule covered in glass on the wall, sometimes more than one place, that told you when it would depart and from what track it would depart.

We visited Bavaria for a few days, flying into Munich, taking the train to Augsburg, then later back to the Airport for transport to Regensburg for a Danube cruise.

Almost every train we took was late, one for 30 minutes (we had a Bavaria pass and used the Regional trains).
Also, finding out which track where the train would be was WAY MORE COMPLICATED. There was a huge board that displayed where trains were traveling to and what track they would use at the station. The Munich train station was large and we transferred there, we didn't know what track to go to until 7 minutes prior to the trains departure.
For the last trip we had to push through crowds to go to the opposite area of the station to reach our train, and we almost missed the train.
So much for the wonderfully efficient rail system from over 30 years ago.

Also, finding out which track where the train would be was WAY MORE COMPLICATED. There was a huge board that displayed where trains were traveling to and what track they would use at the station. The Munich train station was large and we transferred there, we didn't know what track to go to until 7 minutes prior to the trains departure.

If you use the DB app or website you know the scheduled track number weeks or even months ahead of time. Just as in the days of the old station posters track numbers can be changed at the last minute for various reasons. However that is what is scheduled.

In Frankfurt there are multiple boards that tell you what track your train is leaving from, but your ticket will also tell you.

Not sure where your wagon will be when your train comes in? There are boards on each track that will show your train, and which section of the platform your wagon will be found - A, B, C, D, as well as where the dining car and 1st class will be.

Each track has an electronic board that tells you what train is arriving, and time and what train is departing and what time.
It is 10 times more organized than it was 30 years ago.

Do trains change tracks? Yes, they do, but they announce it before the train ever arrives and this gives people enough time to get there. Yes, they announce it in English.

The DB doesn't like them, but I prefer the dead end stations like Frankfurt. It is a lot easier to find your train and you don't have to go up and down steps to get to each track.

Our ticket didn't show the track, since it was a Bavaria Pass.

We couldn't use our cellphones in Europe since our plan doesn't include overseas.
Also, someone told us regional trains didn't use the same track and changed frequently.

For comfort Frankfurt is the better option as you are inside a covered station. Also many quick lunch options.

You will have WiFi on your train so check your connection platform just before you arrive.

Thank you everyone for all your great information and tips.

Karlsruhe is a covered station as well. Here is a walking video of the station. The walk through the underpassage begins at 3:35. You will see the elevator shafts at each platform in the middle of the passage as you walk by, as well as all the shops along the passage. The platform area at 8:12.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJXlcVG-Q3A

In the DB Navigator app, you can manipulate the itinerary by setting a minimum transfer time. Go to Options, then Minimum Transfer Time. I like at least 25 minutes. We found escalators to be out of service many times, so this gives you more time to find an elevator if you need it. Otherwise be prepared to carry your bags up and down stairs.

We traveled from Strasbourg to Cologne with a connection in Karlsruhe on a Christmas market trip. There was a platform change less than 5 minutes before departure, so be sure to watch the boards and the app once you arrive at the platform. It was a mad dash to the new platform, and the train was FULL.

It was a mad dash to the new platform, and the train was FULL.

The trains from Karlruhe to Strasbourg (TGV and ICE) are seat reservation required, which comes automatically when you buy a ticket.

Looks like you are using long distance trains (IC, TGV, or others). With the way long distance trains are running today, you could likely experience a late arrival at the change station, so the cushion time and the frequency of later trains might affect my choice. But, it's six of one, a half dozen of the other. You have more time to change in Frankfurt. The change won't take nearly 56 minutes, but that will give you more cushion than the change in Karlsruhe. However, later trains from Frankfurt seem to go about every hour, where as they are a little more frequent, I think, from Karlsruhe. And, it looks like there might be some regional alternatives from Karlsruhe, so you might not have so long to wait if you miss the connection.

Still, an hour is not that long a wait, and you have a better chance of making the connection in Frankfurt.