- Must visit
Museum Folkwang
One of Germany’s leading art museums, known for outstanding 19th- and 20th-century painting, photography, and modern art collections.
Cheapest price
$46
Average price
$70
Fastest journey
2 h 15 m
Average duration
2 h 19 m
Trains per day
31
Distance
178 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Amsterdam to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Amsterdam to Essen will cost around $70 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $46.
It's difficult to get from Amsterdam to Essen without transferring at least once.
IC 60403 · S3
ICE 121 · ICE 616
IC 3227 · S3+
20017
IC 3231 · S3+
20019
IC 3247 · S3+
20027
ICE 129 · ICE 218
ICE 127 · ICE 518
ICE 125 · ICE 610
ICE 221 · ICE 514
ICE 121 · ICE 616Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Amsterdam to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $19. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 50m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $19, and a flight costs an average of $221.
Distance: 110 miles (178 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$72 Average price | $32 Average price Cheapest | $492 Average price | $47 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 12m Average total duration 2h 42m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 51m Average total duration 6h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 50m Average total duration Fastest 50m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 49m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.5 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Amsterdam to Essen:
A bus is $40 (€32) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Amsterdam to Essen costing on average $72 (€58).
A bus is $460 (€372) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Amsterdam to Essen costing on average $492 (€397).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 42m.
Bus takes on average 6h 21m.
You'll arrive about 7m sooner (2h 42m by train vs 2h 49m by car). Tickets start at around $72 (€58) compared to roughly $47 (€38) in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Amsterdam to Essen trains for today, Monday, May 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 121 · ICE 616 | On time 6:38 AM Amsterdam Centraal | 2h20 | 8:58 AM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 3123 · S3+ 20015 · 21231 | 7:15 AM Amsterdam Zuid | 3h20 | 10:35 AM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 225 · ICE 614 | On time 8:22 AM Amsterdam Centraal | 2h36 | 10:58 AM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 3029 · IC 3529 · 20077 · 10131 | 8:33 AM Amsterdam Centraal | 3h41 | 12:14 PM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
IC 3129 · IC 3529 · 20077 · 10131 | 8:45 AM Amsterdam Zuid | 3h29 | 12:14 PM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
IC 3031 · S3+ 20019 | 9:03 AM Amsterdam Centraal | 3h32 | 12:35 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3131 · S3+ 20019 | 9:15 AM Amsterdam Zuid | 3h20 | 12:35 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 123 · ICE 612 | On time 10:22 AM Amsterdam Centraal | 2h36 | 12:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 3535 · ICE 123 · ICE 612 | 10:30 AM Amsterdam Zuid | 2h28 | 12:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3537 · 20081 · 10139 | 11:00 AM Amsterdam Zuid | 3h14 | 2:14 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3139 · S3+ 20023 · 21233 | 11:15 AM Amsterdam Zuid | 3h20 | 2:35 PM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 125 · ICE 610 | On time 12:22 PM Amsterdam Centraal | 2h36 | 2:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 2745 · ICE 125 · ICE 610 | 12:26 PM Amsterdam Centraal | 2h32 | 2:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3543 · ICE 125 · ICE 610 | 12:30 PM Amsterdam Zuid | 2h28 | 2:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3545 · 20085 · 10147 | 1:00 PM Amsterdam Zuid | 3h14 | 4:14 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3047 · S3+ 20027 | 1:03 PM Amsterdam Centraal | 3h32 | 4:35 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3147 · S3+ 20027 | 1:15 PM Amsterdam Zuid | 3h20 | 4:35 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 127 · ICE 518 | On time 2:22 PM Amsterdam Centraal | 2h36 | 4:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 2753 · ICE 127 · ICE 518 | On time 2:27 PM Amsterdam Centraal | 2h31 | 4:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3551 · ICE 127 · ICE 518 | On time 2:30 PM Amsterdam Zuid | 2h28 | 4:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3553 · 20089 · 10155 | 3:00 PM Amsterdam Zuid | 3h14 | 6:14 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3155 · S3+ 21235 · 20031 | 3:15 PM Amsterdam Zuid | 3h20 | 6:35 PM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 129 · ICE 516 | On time 4:22 PM Amsterdam Centraal | 2h36 | 6:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 2761 · ICE 129 · ICE 516 | On time 4:27 PM Amsterdam Centraal | 2h31 | 6:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3559 · ICE 129 · ICE 516 | On time 4:30 PM Amsterdam Zuid | 2h28 | 6:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3561 · 20093 · 10163 | 5:00 PM Amsterdam Zuid | 3h14 | 8:14 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3063 · S3+ 20035 | 5:03 PM Amsterdam Centraal | 3h32 | 8:35 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 3163 · S3+ 20035 | 5:15 PM Amsterdam Zuid | 3h20 | 8:35 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 221 · ICE 514 | On time 6:22 PM Amsterdam Centraal | 2h36 | 8:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 3567 · ICE 221 · ICE 514 | On time 6:30 PM Amsterdam Zuid | 2h28 | 8:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 83091 · S3+ 20009 | 12:03 AM Amsterdam Centraal | 7h32 | 7:35 AM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
IC 83191 · IC 83091 · S3+ 20009 | 12:15 AM Amsterdam Zuid | 7h20 | 7:35 AM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Amsterdam to Essen run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 42m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $31 (€25) but you can travel from only $19 (€15) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:38. The fastest train covers the 110 miles (178 km) distance in 2h 22m.
Distance 110 miles (178 km) |
Average train duration 2h 42m |
Cheapest ticket price $31 (€25) |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 2h 22m |
First train 12:01 AM |
Last train 11:38 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Essen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Essen trip today.
One of Germany’s leading art museums, known for outstanding 19th- and 20th-century painting, photography, and modern art collections.
A major regional museum inside the Zollverein Coal Mine complex, covering the natural, cultural, and industrial history of the Ruhr area.
Design museum in a former boiler house at Zollverein, showcasing contemporary product design and award-winning objects.
Large lake area popular for walking, cycling, sailing, and scenic relaxation, especially in warmer months.
Essen’s main pedestrian shopping street, busy and central, useful for first-time visitors exploring the heart of the city.
Large landscaped park with botanical features, open lawns, and family-friendly paths; one of Essen’s best green escapes.
Sliced sausage served with a spiced ketchup-style curry sauce, a beloved Ruhrgebiet snack commonly eaten with fries.
Classic grilled German sausage associated with fairs and events in Essen, typically served in a bread roll with mustard.
A traditional Westphalian beef stew seasoned generously with pepper, valued across the wider region for its hearty flavor.
Refined Michelin-starred dining known for modern tasting menus, polished service, and a special-occasion atmosphere.
Well-regarded upscale restaurant serving modern German cuisine with seasonal ingredients in an elegant but relaxed environment.
Traditional and long-running local restaurant praised for hearty German and regional dishes in a cozy, classic setting.
Moderate by German standards. Supermarkets and casual dining are affordable, while hotels and upscale restaurants cost more during trade fairs and events.
Service is usually included, but rounding up is standard. In restaurants, add about 5-10% for good service. Round up taxis and small café bills; tips are not obligatory.
Official public transport app
Essen Hbf, Essen -> Essen City Center, Essen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Amsterdam to Essen by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Essen, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need