Next train departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Train | Hbf | Essen Central Train Station | Cheapest | ||||
| Train | Cologne Messe/Deutz | Essen Central Train Station | Fastest | ||||
Regional-Express + Deutsche Bahn ICE | Train | Cologne Messe/Deutz | Essen Central Train Station | No tags | ||||
| Train | Hbf | Essen Central Train Station | No tags | ||||
Regional-Express + Deutsche Bahn ICE | Train | Cologne Messe/Deutz | Essen Central Train Station | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Today at 00:50 CET.
Compare 3 ways to travel from Cologne to Essen
Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as a good way to reach Essen. The journey takes about 1 hour and with fares starting at just £4, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Where are the popular train stations and stops in Cologne and Essen?
Cologne
- ABahnsteig Gleis 2 + 3, 50667 Köln, Germany
- C
Köln-Blumenberg
Köln-Blumenberg, 50765 Köln, Germany - D
Köln-Dellbrück
Dellbrück, Diepeschrather Str., 51069 Köln, Germany - E
Köln-Holweide
Köln-Holweide, 51067 Köln, Germany - F
Köln Volkhovener Weg
Volkhovener Weg, 50767 Köln, Germany
Essen
- AAm Hauptbahnhof 27, 45127 Essen, Germany
- BFreiheit 5A, 45127 Essen, Germany
Train Companies
Frequently asked questions about travelling from Cologne to Essen by train
Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your journey.
How much does a train ticket cost from Cologne to Essen?
The cheapest train tickets from Cologne to Essen start from £8. The average price for this train route is around £18. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Cologne to Essen?
The average train journey time from Cologne to Essen is 50m, covering a distance of 36 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 44m and is operated by Deutsche Bahn ICE.
Which train operators serve the Cologne to Essen route?
Several major train operators run on this route with 19 trains available per day, including services from Deutsche Bahn ICE, FlixTrain, Deutsche Bahn, FlixBus.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Cologne to Essen?
The earliest train from Cologne to Essen departs at 06:02. And the latest train departs at 19:31.
Which is the best train operator from Cologne to Essen?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated train operator on this route is Deutsche Bahn ICE, with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars based on 10 reviews.
Which train operator has the best Wi-Fi from Cologne to Essen?
According to reviews on Busbud, the train operator Deutsche Bahn has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.4.
Which train operator has the most punctual service from Cologne to Essen?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual train operator on this route is FlixBus, with a punctuality rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.
Which train operator has the cleanest trains from Cologne to Essen?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the train operator with the cleanest trains on this route is Deutsche Bahn ICE, with a cleanliness rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.
Find cheapest prices for trains
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Cologne to Essen was searched and found on 13 Dec 2025 with a price of £6To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from Cologne to Essen as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from £6 to £65 for a train ticket from Cologne to Essen based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at £6, which is on 2025-12-13.
