- Must visit
Museum Folkwang
One of Germany’s leading art museums, known for major collections of 19th- to 21st-century painting, photography, and design.
Cheapest price
$49
Average price
$229
Fastest journey
4 h 36 m
Average duration
4 h 41 m
Trains per day
44
Distance
435 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Basel to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Basel to Essen will cost around $229 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $49.
Of the 44 trains that leave Basel for Essen on Sat, Jun 20, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct trains cover the 435 km distance in an average of 4 h 41 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 36 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest trains will take 4 h 42 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.
ICE 276 · ICE 24 · ICE 512
IC 60402 · 26853
ICE 106 · IC 1941 · ICE 104
ECE 4 · ICE 224 · ICE 26 · 17432
ICE 100
ECE 8 · ICE 1012
ICE 374 · ICE 612
ICE 200
ICE 372 · ICE 610
ICE 108Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Basel to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $39. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 5h 16m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $39, and a flight costs an average of $101.
Distance: 270 miles (435 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$148 Average price | $60 Average price Cheapest | $310 Average price | $176 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 46m Average total duration Fastest 5h 16m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 17m Average total duration 7h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 27m Average total duration 9h 27m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 17m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | 1.3 - 2.6kg 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 Basel to Essen:
A bus is $88 (€72) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Basel to Essen costing on average $148 (€121).
A bus is $250 (€205) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Basel to Essen costing on average $310 (€254).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 47m.
Flight takes on average 9h 27m.
The journey is about 1m faster (5h 16m by train vs 5h 17m by car) and roughly $28 (€23) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($148 (€121) vs $176 (€144)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC).
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Basel to Essen trains for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 374 · ICE 612 | On time 8:16 AM Basel SBB | 4h42 | 12:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 74 · ICE 1010 · ICE 926 · ICE 641 | On time 8:46 AM Basel SBB | 6h32 | 3:18 PM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 74 · ICE 1010 | On time 8:46 AM Basel SBB | 4h36 | 1:22 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 200 · ICE 1645 · ICE 108 | On time 9:16 AM Basel SBB | 6h42 | 3:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
96218+ 2356+ 9471 | 9:21 AM Basel SBB | 12h54 | 10:15 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
96218+ 2356+ 9459 | 9:21 AM Basel SBB | 10h54 | 8:15 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 372 · ICE 610 | On time 10:16 AM Basel SBB | 4h42 | 2:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
9210+ 9471 | 10:34 AM Basel SBB | 11h41 | 10:15 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
9210+ 9459 | 10:34 AM Basel SBB | 9h41 | 8:15 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
96112 · 96264+ 12124+ 9459 | 10:38 AM Basel SBB | 9h37 | 8:15 PM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 6 · ICE 918 | On time 10:46 AM Basel SBB | 4h36 | 3:22 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 6 · ICE 918 · ICE 228 · ICE 518 | On time 10:46 AM Basel SBB | 6h12 | 4:58 PM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 108 | On time 11:16 AM Basel SBB | 4h42 | 3:58 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 108 · IC 2012 · ICE 106 | On time 11:16 AM Basel SBB | 6h42 | 5:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
96222+ 9590+ 9459 | 11:21 AM Basel SBB | 8h54 | 8:15 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
96222+ 9590+ 9471 | 11:21 AM Basel SBB | 10h54 | 10:15 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 370 · ICE 518 | On time 12:16 PM Basel SBB | 4h42 | 4:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
9218+ 9471 | 12:34 PM Basel SBB | 9h41 | 10:15 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
96116 · 96256+ 2430+ 9471 | 12:38 PM Basel SBB | 9h37 | 10:15 PM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 72 · ICE 916 · ICE 28 · ICE 645 | On time 12:46 PM Basel SBB | 6h32 | 7:18 PM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 72 · ICE 916 | On time 12:46 PM Basel SBB | 4h36 | 5:22 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 106 · IC 1941 · ICE 104 | On time 1:16 PM Basel SBB | 6h42 | 7:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 106 | On time 1:16 PM Basel SBB | 4h42 | 5:58 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 278 · ICE 516 | On time 2:16 PM Basel SBB | 4h42 | 6:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ECE 4 · ICE 224 · 26831 | On time 2:46 PM Basel SBB | 5h04 | 7:50 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ECE 4 · ICE 224 · ICE 26 · 17432 | On time 2:46 PM Basel SBB | 6h36 | 9:22 PM Essen Hbf | 4 transfers | |
ICE 104 | On time 3:16 PM Basel SBB | 4h42 | 7:58 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 276 · ICE 514 | On time 4:16 PM Basel SBB | 4h42 | 8:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 70 · ICE 912 · ICE 24 · ICE 512 | On time 4:46 PM Basel SBB | 6h12 | 10:58 PM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 70 · ICE 912 | On time 4:46 PM Basel SBB | 4h36 | 9:22 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 102 · ICE 528 | On time 5:16 PM Basel SBB | 4h46 | 10:02 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 274 · ICE 512 | On time 6:16 PM Basel SBB | 4h42 | 10:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 2 · ICE 910 · ICE 22 | On time 6:46 PM Basel SBB | 6h15 | 1:01 AM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 2 · ICE 910 · ICE 1541 | On time 6:46 PM Basel SBB | 4h58 | 11:44 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 100 | On time 7:16 PM Basel SBB | 4h53 | 12:09 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 272 · ICE 510 · ICE 22 | On time 8:16 PM Basel SBB | 4h45 | 1:01 AM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
| Saturday, June 20 | |||||
ICE 204 | On time 5:16 AM Basel SBB | 4h42 | 9:58 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 204 · ICE 1049 · ICE 202 | On time 5:16 AM Basel SBB | 6h42 | 11:58 AM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 376 · ICE 614 | On time 6:16 AM Basel SBB | 4h42 | 10:58 AM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
96206+ 9532+ 9459 | 6:21 AM Basel SBB | 13h54 | 8:15 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
96206+ 9532+ 9471 | 6:21 AM Basel SBB | 15h54 | 10:15 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ECE 8 · ICE 1012 · ICE 1020 | On time 6:46 AM Basel SBB | 6h09 | 12:55 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ECE 8 · ICE 1012 | On time 6:46 AM Basel SBB | 4h36 | 11:22 AM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
96104+ 6702+ 9471 | 7:08 AM Basel SBB | 15h07 | 10:15 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
96104+ 6702+ 9459 | 7:08 AM Basel SBB | 13h07 | 8:15 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
96210+ 9566+ 9471 | 7:21 AM Basel SBB | 14h54 | 10:15 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
96210+ 9566+ 9459 | 7:21 AM Basel SBB | 12h54 | 8:15 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, 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 Basel to Essen run on average 9 times per day, taking around 5h 16m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $49 (€40) but you can travel from only $39 (€32) by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:03, the last at 23:41. The fastest train covers the 270 miles (435 km) distance in 4h 36m.
Distance 270 miles (435 km) |
Average train duration 5h 16m |
Cheapest ticket price $49 (€40) |
Trains per day 9 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 4h 36m |
First train 12:03 AM |
Last train 11:41 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 21 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 major collections of 19th- to 21st-century painting, photography, and design.
A key museum for the Ruhr region’s history, archaeology, and natural heritage, housed in the iconic Zollverein Coal Washery.
A major design museum displaying award-winning contemporary product and industrial design inside the Zollverein complex.
Large open area around the Zollverein complex with striking industrial scenery, walking paths, and some of Essen’s most photographed views.
A major leisure area around a reservoir on the Ruhr, popular for walking, cycling, lakeside views, and social-media-friendly sunsets.
Charming historic quarter with half-timbered buildings, cobbled streets, and a relaxed small-town feel within Essen.
Sliced grilled sausage with curry ketchup and fries, a beloved Ruhr area fast-food classic found across Essen.
A traditional Westphalian beef stew seasoned generously with pepper and onions, long associated with the wider region around Essen.
A hearty Rhineland dish of mashed potatoes and applesauce, often served with black pudding; common in western German home cooking.
Refined dining in Schloss Hugenpoet, offering upscale cuisine in a historic manor-house atmosphere south of central Essen.
Well-known fine-dining restaurant in Essen with modern creative cuisine and an elegant, intimate atmosphere.
Long-established restaurant and beer garden popular for German and regional dishes in a relaxed, green setting.
Moderate by German standards. Budget eats are reasonable, while hotels and sit-down dining cost more.
Service is usually included. Round up small bills; tip about 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Round up in taxis. Little or no tip is fine for counter service.
Official public transport app
Essen Hbf, Essen -> Essen Hbf, Essen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Basel 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