- Must visit
Museum Folkwang
World-class art museum in the Villa Hügel parkland, famous for 19th and 20th century masterpieces and changing exhibitions.
The best way to find a cheap flight ticket from Zurich to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Zurich to Essen will cost around €159 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €95.
On Tue, Nov 03, we found 5 flights from Zurich to Essen, including 5 direct services.
On Tue, Nov 03 the direct flights cover the 468 km distance in an average of 3 h 17 m but if you time it right, some flights will get you there in just 1 h 5 m .
On Tue, Nov 03 the longest flights will take 5 h 15 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

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Flights from Zurich to Essen depart on average 46 times per day, taking around 2h 30m. Cheap flight tickets for this journey start at €60 but you can travel from only €27 by bus.
There are 11 flights per day. The earliest flight runs at 05:50, the last at 21:45. The fastest flight covers the 290 miles (468 km) distance in 1h 5m. July is the cheapest month to fly.
Plan this route
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Zurich to Essen.
The table below shows live departures for Zurich to Essen flights for today, Monday, November 2. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated flight journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LX1024 | 4:30 PM Zurich Airport | 1h20 | 5:50 PM Dusseldorf Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
BA717 · BA940 | 4:30 PM Zurich Airport | 5h30 | 10:00 PM Dusseldorf Airport | 1 transfer | |
LH1193+ ICE 528 | 4:45 PM Zurich Airport | 5h19 | 10:04 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
DE4415+ ICE 528 | 4:50 PM Zurich Airport | 5h14 | 10:04 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
DE4415+ ICE 100 · 26841 | 4:50 PM Zurich Airport | 8h00 | 12:50 AM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
LH2371 · LH117+ ICE 910 · 26839 | 5:10 PM Zurich Airport | 6h40 | 11:50 PM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
LH2371 · LH117+ ICE 100 · 26841 | 5:10 PM Zurich Airport | 7h40 | 12:50 AM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
LH2371 · LH117+ ICE 22 · 26843 | 5:10 PM Zurich Airport | 8h40 | 1:50 AM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
LH2371+ LH4110 | 5:10 PM Zurich Airport | 3h00 | 8:10 PM Dusseldorf Airport | 1 transfer | |
KL1924 · KL1805 | 5:30 PM Zurich Airport | 4h40 | 10:10 PM Dusseldorf Airport | 1 transfer | |
SN2734 · SN2617+ ICE 100 · 26841 | 5:35 PM Zurich Airport | 7h15 | 12:50 AM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
SN2734 · SN2617+ ICE 22 · 26843 | 5:35 PM Zurich Airport | 8h15 | 1:50 AM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
OS142+ OS8917 | 5:45 PM Zurich Airport | 4h00 | 9:45 PM Cologne Bonn Airport | 1 transfer | |
LX1026 | 5:50 PM Zurich Airport | 1h15 | 7:05 PM Dusseldorf Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
LH1195+ ICE 512 · S9 | 6:10 PM Zurich Airport | 5h30 | 11:40 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
LH1195+ ICE 100 · 26841 | 6:10 PM Zurich Airport | 6h40 | 12:50 AM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
LH1195+ ICE 22 · 26843 | 6:10 PM Zurich Airport | 7h40 | 1:50 AM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
KL1926 · KL1797 | 7:10 PM Zurich Airport | 12h30 | 7:40 AM Dusseldorf Airport | 1 transfer | |
LH1197+ ICE 100 · 26841 | 7:50 PM Zurich Airport | 5h00 | 12:50 AM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
LX4428 | 8:10 PM Zurich Airport | 1h05 | 9:15 PM Cologne Bonn Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
EW767 | 8:10 PM Zurich Airport | 1h05 | 9:15 PM Cologne Bonn Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
LX4404 | 8:55 PM Zurich Airport | 1h10 | 10:05 PM Dusseldorf Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
EW9765 | 8:55 PM Zurich Airport | 1h10 | 10:05 PM Dusseldorf Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, November 3 | |||||
![]() | 6:40 AM Zurich | 1h15 | 7:55 AM Essen | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:05 AM Zurich | 4h30 | 11:35 AM Essen | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:15 PM Zurich | 4h20 | 5:35 PM Essen | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:00 PM Zurich | 5h15 | 7:15 PM Essen | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last flight of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Flights from Zurich to Essen with KLM, Eurowings, and Air France. Flights with a stop available on this route with KLM, Eurowings, and Air France. Use the details below to compare onboard facilities.
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of Essen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Essen trip today.
World-class art museum in the Villa Hügel parkland, famous for 19th and 20th century masterpieces and changing exhibitions.
Ruhr Museum presents the region’s natural, cultural, and industrial history inside Zollverein’s iconic coal washery.
Internationally important poster museum with graphic design, advertising, and visual culture collections in a central location.
Large urban lake with promenades, sailing, and scenic paths; a favorite leisure area for locals and visitors alike.
Lively central pedestrian street for shopping and city life, linking Essen’s station area with key downtown landmarks.
Leafy city park with botanical features, sculptures, and open lawns near major museums and cultural institutions.
A hearty potato pancake from the Ruhr area, usually served with applesauce or beet syrup. It is a beloved regional comfort food eaten at fairs and homes.
Traditional rye bread from Westphalia, baked dark and dense with a slightly sweet flavor. It is a staple across the region and often served with ham or cheese.
A classic Rhineland-Ruhr beef roast marinated in vinegar and spices, then braised. It is a festive dish found on Sunday and holiday menus.
Refined two-star dining in Villa Hügel parkland, known for modern French-inspired cuisine, polished service, and one of Essen's most prestigious settings.
Traditional brewery restaurant in Werden serving hearty regional dishes and house beers in a historic, rustic atmosphere popular with locals and visitors.
Casual local favorite for grilled meats, schnitzel, and classic pub plates, with a lively traditional atmosphere and dependable portions.
Moderate for Germany. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt, while local transit and casual meals stay fairly affordable for visitors.
Tipping is modest. Round up or add about 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Taxi fares are often rounded up. In cafes, small change or rounding up is typical.
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Essen.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Zurich to Essen by flight. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest flight, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Essen, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Zurich to Essen flights use the Zurich Airport to airport pair. Use this guide to compare Zurich and Essen airports on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like airport facilities and services.
Zurich Airport is 1 km from Zurich city centre. Public transport options include:
Zurich Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, Lounge, and Lost and Found Office.
Free Wi-Fi available for 2 hours; additional time can be purchased. ATMs are located in Arrival and Departureas, offering multiple currencies.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Zurich Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Zurich Airport: Elevators, ramps, assistance.