The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf
Cheapest price
$9
Average price
$42
Fastest journey
47 m
Average duration
47 m
Trains per day
53
Distance
57 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf will cost around $42 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $9.
Of the 53 trains that leave Cologne Hbf for Essen Hbf on Sun, Jun 21, 43 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 21 the direct trains cover the 57 km distance in an average of 47 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 47 m .
On Sun, Jun 21 the slowest trains will take 47 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 6186:11 AM0h47Cologne Hbf6:58 AMEssen Hbf$91One-way0 transfers
ICE 2085:11 AM0h47Cologne Hbf5:58 AMEssen Hbf$161One-way0 transfers
ICE 15435:43 AM1h00Cologne Hbf6:43 AMEssen Hbf$161One-way0 transfers
IC 23068:01 AM0h54Cologne Hbf8:55 AMEssen Hbf$161One-way0 transfers
ICE 8435:26 AM0h54Cologne Hbf6:20 AMEssen Hbf$221One-way0 transfers
ICE 2085:11 AM0h47Cologne Hbf5:58 AMEssen Hbf$161One-way0 transfers
ICE 6186:11 AM0h47Cologne Hbf6:58 AMEssen Hbf$91One-way0 transfers
ICE 2067:11 AM0h47Cologne Hbf7:58 AMEssen Hbf$221One-way0 transfers
ICE 6168:11 AM0h47Cologne Hbf8:58 AMEssen Hbf$241One-way0 transfers
ICE 2049:11 AM0h47Cologne Hbf9:58 AMEssen Hbf$341One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $5. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 54m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $5, and a train costs an average of $7.
Distance: 35 miles (57 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$15 Average price | $6 Average price Cheapest | $18 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 24m Average total duration Fastest 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 8m Average total duration 1h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 57m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf:
A bus is $9 (€7) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf costing on average $15 (€12).
Other travel options to Essen Hbf take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 38m.
The journey is about 3m faster (54m by train vs 57m by car) and roughly $3 (€2) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($15 (€12) vs $18 (€14)). 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, FlixTrain, 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.
Live departures
Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf train times
The table below shows live departures for Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf trains for tomorrow, Sunday, June 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 208 | On time 5:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 5:58 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 843 | On time 5:26 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h54 | 6:20 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1543 | On time 5:43 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h00 | 6:43 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
26853 | 5:49 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h01 | 6:50 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 618 | 6:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 6:58 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 543 | 6:25 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h53 | 7:18 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
26807 | 6:49 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h01 | 7:50 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 206 | On time 7:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 7:58 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 845 | On time 7:26 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h54 | 8:20 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
28506 · 10209 | 7:31 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h07 | 8:38 AM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 2206 · ICE 1545 | On time 7:46 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h00 | 8:46 AM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
26809 | 7:49 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h01 | 8:50 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
IC 2306 | On time 8:01 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h54 | 8:55 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 616 | 8:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 8:58 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 545 | On time 8:25 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h53 | 9:18 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
28508 · 10211 | 8:31 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h06 | 9:37 AM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
26811 | 8:49 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h01 | 9:50 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 204 | On time 9:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 9:58 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 847 | On time 9:26 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h54 | 10:20 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
28510 · 10213 | 9:31 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h06 | 10:37 AM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
IC 2204 · ICE 1547 | On time 9:46 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h00 | 10:46 AM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
26813 | 9:49 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h01 | 10:50 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 614 | 10:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 10:58 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1022 | On time 10:14 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h48 | 11:02 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 547 | On time 10:24 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h54 | 11:18 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
28512 · 10215 | 10:31 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h06 | 11:37 AM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
26815 | 10:49 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h01 | 11:50 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 202 | On time 11:11 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 11:58 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 849 | On time 11:28 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h52 | 12:20 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1053 | On time 11:38 AM Cologne Hbf | 0h53 | 12:31 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
26817 | 11:49 AM Cologne Hbf | 1h01 | 12:50 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1020 | On time 12:08 PM Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 12:55 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 612 | 12:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 12:58 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 549 | On time 12:26 PM Cologne Hbf | 0h52 | 1:18 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
28516 · 10219 | 12:31 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h07 | 1:38 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
26819 | 12:49 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h01 | 1:50 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 200 | On time 1:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 1:58 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 941 | On time 1:27 PM Cologne Hbf | 0h53 | 2:20 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
28518 · 10221 | 1:31 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h06 | 2:37 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1549 | On time 1:34 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h09 | 2:43 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
26821 | 1:50 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h00 | 2:50 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 610 | 2:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 2:58 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 641 | On time 2:26 PM Cologne Hbf | 0h52 | 3:18 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
28520 · 10223 | 2:31 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h06 | 3:37 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
26823 | 2:49 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h01 | 3:50 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 108 | On time 3:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 3:58 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 943 | On time 3:28 PM Cologne Hbf | 0h52 | 4:20 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1055 | On time 3:36 PM Cologne Hbf | 0h55 | 4:31 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
26825 | 3:49 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h01 | 4:50 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 518 | On time 4:11 PM Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 4:58 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 643 | On time 4:26 PM Cologne Hbf | 0h52 | 5:18 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
28524 · 10227 | 4:31 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h06 | 5:37 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
26827 | 4:49 PM Cologne Hbf | 1h01 | 5:50 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf by train or bus
Compare train and bus 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 21
Jun 22
Jun 23
Jun 24
Jun 25
Jun 26
Jun 27
Why should you book Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn, but also compare tickets for the likes of FlixTrain, Süwex or Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) to find the best option for your trip from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Deutsche Bahn with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf.
Why book with Omio over Trainline or Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf.
ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf

Journey information
Overview: Train from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf
Trains from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf run on average 7 times per day, taking around 54m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $7 (€5) but you can travel from only $5 (€4) by bus.
There are 5 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:09, the last at 21:27. The fastest train covers the 35 miles (57 km) distance in 26m.
Distance 35 miles (57 km) |
Average train duration 54m |
Cheapest ticket price $7 (€5) |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 5 |
Fastest train 26m |
First train 12:09 AM |
Last train 9:27 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Süwex, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf trainsDeutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Süwex, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) trains will get you between Cologne Hbf and Essen Hbf from $5 (€4). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Deutsche Bahn
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.
FlixTrain
Süwex
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
FAQs: Trains from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf 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 Hbf, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf
- Mon - Fri: 06:00 - 21:00
- Sat - Sun: 07:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only
- There are luggage lockers in the station
- asiagourmet
- Coffee Fellows
- dean&david
- Dunkin' Donuts
- KFC
- McDonald's
- Pizza Hut
- Nordsee
- Starbucks
- Schweinske
- & more
- Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected]
- Wyndham Koeln
- Hilton Cologne
- Excelsior Hotel Ernst
- One near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5
- Mon - Fri: 06:00 - 21:00
- Sat - Sun: 07:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only
- There are luggage lockers in the station
- asiagourmet
- Coffee Fellows
- dean&david
- Dunkin' Donuts
- KFC
- McDonald's
- Pizza Hut
- Nordsee
- Starbucks
- Schweinske
- & more
- Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected]
- Wyndham Koeln
- Hilton Cologne
- Excelsior Hotel Ernst
- One near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5
- Monday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Thursday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Friday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Saturday: 09:00 - 18:00
- Sunday: 09:00 - 18:00
- Bollywood Express - Pizza & More
- Kiepenkerl
- Cafe Extrablatt
- Tacos
- Ambassador
- Gästearpartment Dahl
- WG-Hotel im Unperfekthaus
- Motel One
More options for your journey from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

