The cheapest and fastest trains from Berlin to Essen
Cheapest price
$91
Average price
$147
Fastest journey
8 h 29 m
Average duration
8 h 33 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
624 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Berlin to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Berlin to Essen will cost around $147 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $91.
Of the 2 trains that leave Berlin for Essen on Wed, Jun 03, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jun 03 the direct trains cover the 624 km distance in an average of 8 h 33 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 8 h 29 m .
On Wed, Jun 03 the slowest trains will take 8 h 37 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.
6:44 AM8h29Berlin3:13 PMEssen$911One-way0 transfers
6:18 AM8h37Berlin2:55 PMEssen$2031One-way0 transfers
6:44 AM8h29Berlin3:13 PMEssen$911One-way0 transfers
6:18 AM8h37Berlin2:55 PMEssen$2031One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Berlin to Essen
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Berlin to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $40. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 30m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $40, and a flight costs an average of $107.
Distance: 387 miles (624 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$215 Average price | $244 Average price | $65 Average price Cheapest | $98 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 25m Average total duration 8h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 30m Average total duration Fastest 1h 30m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 11h 33m Average total duration 11h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 18m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Berlin to Essen:
A bus is $150 (€121) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Berlin to Essen costing on average $215 (€173).
A bus is $179 (€145) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Berlin to Essen costing on average $244 (€197).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Train takes on average 8h 55m.
Bus takes on average 11h 3m.
Tickets start at around $215 (€173) compared to roughly $98 (€79) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-117.10 (€-94.53). The journey takes 8h 55m versus 8h 18m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Live departures
Berlin to Essen train times
The table below shows live departures for Berlin to Essen trains for tomorrow, Wednesday, June 3. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:18 AM Berlin | 8h37 | 2:55 PM Essen | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:44 AM Berlin | 8h29 | 3:13 PM Essen | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Berlin to Essen by train, bus, or flight
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.
Jun 03
Jun 04
Jun 05
Jun 06
Jun 07
Jun 08
Jun 09
Journey information
Overview: Train from Berlin to Essen
Trains from Berlin to Essen run on average 6 times per day, taking around 8h 55m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $91 (€73) but you can travel from only $40 (€33) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 01:25, the last at 23:32. The fastest train covers the 387 miles (624 km) distance in 7h 22m.
Distance 387 miles (624 km) |
Average train duration 8h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price $91 (€73) |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 7h 22m |
First train 1:25 AM |
Last train 11:32 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) from Berlin to Essen trainsDeutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) trains will get you between Berlin and Essen from $40 (€33). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
FAQs: Trains from Berlin to Essen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Berlin 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.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Berlin to Essen
- Mon - Sat: 07:00 - 22:00
- Sun: 08:00 - 22:00
- Free WiFi (30 minutes limit).
- Luggage lockers are located on Level 1 near Platforms 13/14.
- backWERK
- Burger King
- Costa Coffee
- Dunkin' Donuts
- Einstein Kaffee
- Le Crobag
- McDonald's
- Hans im Glück
- Pret A Manger
- Starbucks
- & many more
- Elevators, escalators, step-free access. Contact the Mobility Service Center at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
- MEININGER Hotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof
- IntercityHotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof
- Motel One Berlin Hauptbahnof
- Located on the ground level near the Europaplatz exit.
- Monday: 08:00 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 08:00 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 08:00 - 19:00
- Thursday: 08:00 - 19:00
- Friday: 08:00 - 19:00
- Saturday: 10:00 - 17:30
- Sunday: 10:00 - 17:30
- Unvernunft
- Taverna Teloneio
- Burger King
- Hasir
- Hotel Benn
- Hotel Herbst
- Hotel Lindenufer
- Hotel Ibis Berlin Spandau
- Monday: 08:00 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 08:00 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 08:00 - 19:00
- Thursday: 08:00 - 19:00
- Friday: 08:00 - 19:00
- Saturday: 10:00 - 17:30
- Sunday: 10:00 - 17:30
- Biertempel 2
- McDonald's
- Eis Bär
- Cafe Mon Cherie
- Appartements Eisemann
More options for your journey from Berlin to Essen
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