How much is the train ticket from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?

The cheapest train tickets from Frankfurt am Main to Essen start from R 327. The average price for this train route is around R 1 556. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.

How long is the train journey from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?

The average train journey time from Frankfurt am Main to Essen is 2h 37m, covering a distance of 187 km. The quickest train can get you there in 1h 53m and is operated by Deutsche Bahn ICE .

Which train operators serve the Frankfurt am Main to Essen route?

Several major train operators serve this route, with 47 trains available per day, including services from Deutsche Bahn ICE , Deutsche Bahn , FlixTrain , FlixBus .

What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?

The earliest train from Frankfurt am Main to Essen departs at 06:00. And the latest train departs at 20:09.

Which is the best train operator from Frankfurt am Main 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 Frankfurt am Main to Essen?

Based on reviews on Busbud, the train operator Deutsche Bahn has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.4.

Which train operator offers the most punctual service from Frankfurt am Main 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 Frankfurt am Main 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 Frankfurt am Main to Essen from R 663 | Refundable Tickets

Next departures

Next departures from Frankfurt am Main to Essen on 12 December
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Flixbus + Flixtrain	10:30	Frankfurt Hbf	5h 22m	15:52	HBF	Cheapest
	12:09	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 53m	14:02	Essen Central Train Station	Fastest
Flixbus + Flixtrain	09:50	FRA Frankfurt airport	6h 2m	15:52	HBF	No tags
S-Bahn + InterCity	12:05	Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt West	4h 9m	16:14	Essen Central Train Station	No tags
S-Bahn + Deutsche Bahn ICE	12:50	Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt West	2h 12m	15:02	Essen Central Train Station	No tags

Next departures from Frankfurt am Main to Essen on 13 December
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Flixbus + Flixtrain	10:30	Frankfurt Hbf	5h 22m	15:52	HBF	Cheapest
	08:09	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 53m	10:02	Essen Central Train Station	Fastest
Flixbus + Flixtrain	02:30	Frankfurt Hbf	4h 31m	07:01	HBF	No tags
S-Bahn + InterCity	06:25	Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt West	3h 33m	09:58	Essen Central Train Station	No tags
S-Bahn + Deutsche Bahn ICE	06:50	Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt West	2h 15m	09:05	Essen Central Train Station	No tags

Next departures from Frankfurt am Main to Essen on 14 December
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Flixbus + Flixtrain	04:15	Frankfurt Hbf	4h 47m	09:02	HBF	Cheapest
	13:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 54m	15:02	Essen Central Train Station	Fastest
Flixbus + Flixtrain	07:00	Frankfurt Hbf	4h 53m	11:53	HBF	No tags
	07:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 57m	09:05	Essen Central Train Station	No tags
Flixbus + Flixtrain	12:50	Frankfurt Hbf	5h 3m	17:53	HBF	No tags

Next departures from Frankfurt am Main to Essen on 15 December
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Flixbus + Flixtrain	04:15	Frankfurt Hbf	4h 47m	09:02	HBF	Cheapest
	13:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 54m	15:02	Essen Central Train Station	Fastest
	07:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 57m	09:05	Essen Central Train Station	No tags
	07:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 57m	09:05	Essen Central Train Station	No tags
	07:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 57m	09:05	Essen Central Train Station	No tags

Next departures from Frankfurt am Main to Essen on 16 December
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Flixbus + Flixtrain	04:15	Frankfurt Hbf	4h 47m	09:02	HBF	Cheapest
	13:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 54m	15:02	Essen Central Train Station	Fastest
Flixbus + Flixtrain	10:25	FRA Frankfurt airport	6h 23m	16:48	HBF	No tags
	07:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 57m	09:05	Essen Central Train Station	No tags
	07:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 57m	09:05	Essen Central Train Station	No tags

Next departures from Frankfurt am Main to Essen on 17 December
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Flixbus + Flixtrain	04:15	Frankfurt Hbf	4h 47m	09:02	HBF	Cheapest
	13:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 54m	15:02	Essen Central Train Station	Fastest
	07:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 57m	09:05	Essen Central Train Station	No tags
	07:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 57m	09:05	Essen Central Train Station	No tags
	07:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 57m	09:05	Essen Central Train Station	No tags

Next departures from Frankfurt am Main to Essen on 18 December
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Flixbus + Flixtrain	04:15	Frankfurt Hbf	4h 47m	09:02	HBF	Cheapest
	13:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 54m	15:02	Essen Central Train Station	Fastest
	07:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 57m	09:05	Essen Central Train Station	No tags
	07:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 57m	09:05	Essen Central Train Station	No tags
	07:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 57m	09:05	Essen Central Train Station	No tags

Next departures from Frankfurt am Main to Essen on 19 December
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Flixbus + Flixtrain	10:30	Frankfurt Hbf	5h 23m	15:53	HBF	Cheapest
	13:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 54m	15:02	Essen Central Train Station	Fastest
Flixbus + Flixtrain	04:15	Frankfurt Hbf	5h 38m	09:53	HBF	No tags
	07:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 57m	09:05	Essen Central Train Station	No tags
	07:08	Frankfurt Hbf	1h 57m	09:05	Essen Central Train Station	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 4:29 AM CET.

Compare 3 ways to travel from Frankfurt am Main 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 2 hours 30 minutes and with fares starting at just R 206, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

30carpool per day

2h 30mAverage duration

190 kmDistance

8kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average priceR 329 - R 2 856	Average duration20h 15m	CO₂ emissions 5kg CO₂e
Train	Average priceR 327 - R 3 921	Average duration2h 37m	CO₂ emissions 4kg CO₂e
Carpool	Average priceR 206 - R 535	Average duration2h 30m	CO₂ emissions 8kg CO₂e

Where are the popular train stations and stops in Frankfurt am Main and Essen?

Frankfurt am Main

A
Südbahnhof
Hedderichstraße 51, 60594 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Visit page
B
Frankfurt Airport
Visit page

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

4/510 reviews

Timeliness2.5

Cleanliness5

Deutsche Bahn

4/56 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness2.5

Cleanliness3.4

WiFi3.4

FlixTrain

3/517 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness2.8

Cleanliness4.1

WiFi1.1

FlixBus

3.5/511 580 reviews

Staff4.2

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 Frankfurt am Main to Essen by train

Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or differ at the time of your trip.

How much is the train ticket from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?
The cheapest train tickets from Frankfurt am Main to Essen start from R 327. The average price for this train route is around R 1 556. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?
The average train journey time from Frankfurt am Main to Essen is 2h 37m, covering a distance of 187 km. The quickest train can get you there in 1h 53m and is operated by Deutsche Bahn ICE.
Which train operators serve the Frankfurt am Main to Essen route?
Several major train operators serve this route, with 47 trains available per day, including services from Deutsche Bahn ICE, Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, FlixBus.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?
The earliest train from Frankfurt am Main to Essen departs at 06:00. And the latest train departs at 20:09.
Which is the best train operator from Frankfurt am Main 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 Frankfurt am Main to Essen?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the train operator Deutsche Bahn has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.4.
Which train operator offers the most punctual service from Frankfurt am Main 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 Frankfurt am Main 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.

Best price found

10/12

R 1 031

11/12

R 1 371

Today

R 1 082

13/12

R 663

14/12

R 912

15/12

R 829

16/12

R 834

17/12

R 1 042

The cheapest trip from Frankfurt am Main to Essen was searched and found on 13 Dec 2025 with a price of R 663

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from Frankfurt am Main to Essen as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from R 663 to R 4 017 for a train ticket from Frankfurt am Main to Essen based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 663, which is on 2025-12-13.