How much does a train ticket cost from Cologne to Essen?

The cheapest train tickets from Cologne to Essen start from £7. 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 48m, covering a distance of 36 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 46m 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 12 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 06:11. And the latest train departs at 19:11.

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 , with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars based on 7 reviews.

Which train operator has the best Wi-Fi from Cologne to Essen?

According to reviews on Busbud, the train operator Deutsche Bahn ICE has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 5.0.

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.

Train Cologne to Essen from £7 | Refundable Tickets

Previously seen journeys

Next departures from Cologne to Essen on 22 January
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	Train	15:00	Hbf	52m	15:52	HBF	No tags
	Train	16:04	Hbf	51m	16:55	Essen Central Train Station	No tags
	Train	16:11	Hbf	47m	16:58	Essen Central Train Station	No tags
	Train	16:14	Hbf	48m	17:02	HBF	No tags
Deutsche Bahn + Deutsche Bahn EuroCity	Train	17:05	Hbf	55m	18:00	Essen Central Train Station	No tags

Compare 3 ways to travel from Cologne to Essen

We recommend carpooling

Among the sustainable travel choices, the Carpool stands out as a good way to reach Essen. The journey takes about 50 minutes and with fares starting at just £4, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

4carpool per day

50mAverage duration

37 milesDistance

2kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average price£5 - £21	Average duration1h 55m	CO₂ emissions 2kg CO₂e
Train	Average price£7 - £36	Average duration48m	CO₂ emissions 1kg CO₂e
Carpool	Average price£4 - £7	Average duration50m	CO₂ emissions 2kg CO₂e

Where are the popular train stations and stops in Cologne and Essen?

Cologne

A
Hbf
Bahnsteig Gleis 2 + 3, 50667 Köln, Germany
Visit page
B
Cologne/Bonn Airport
Visit page
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

A
HBF
Am Hauptbahnhof 27, 45127 Essen, Germany
Visit page
B
Essen Hauptbahnhof Freiheit
Freiheit 5A, 45127 Essen, Germany
Visit page

Train Companies

Deutsche Bahn ICE

3.5/513 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness2.5

Cleanliness5

WiFi5

FlixTrain

3/522 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness2.9

Cleanliness3.2

WiFi1.8

Deutsche Bahn

4/58 reviews

Staff4.3

Timeliness3

Cleanliness3.8

WiFi3.2

FlixBus

3.5/512,135 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness3.9

Cleanliness4.1

WiFi2.7

DE train companies: Amtrak, Trenitalia, Deutsche Bahn, Renfe, Deutsche Bahn ICE, VIA Rail Canada, RegioJet

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 £7. 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 48m, covering a distance of 36 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 46m 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 12 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 06:11. And the latest train departs at 19:11.
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, with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars based on 7 reviews.
Which train operator has the best Wi-Fi from Cologne to Essen?
According to reviews on Busbud, the train operator Deutsche Bahn ICE has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 5.0.
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.