- Must visit
KMSKA
Regional art museum in nearby Antwerp with strong old masters collections, worth the short trip from Essen.
Cheapest price
€155
Average price
€155
Fastest journey
18 h 55 m
Average duration
18 h 55 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
711 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Copenhagen to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Copenhagen to Essen will cost around €155 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €155.
Of the 1 trains that leave Copenhagen for Essen on Tue, Aug 04, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Aug 04 the direct trains cover the 711 km distance in an average of 18 h 55 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 18 h 55 m .
On Tue, Aug 04 the slowest trains will take 18 h 55 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.


Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Copenhagen to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €56. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 34m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €56, and a flight costs an average of €123.
Distance: 441 miles (711 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€149 Average price | €83 Average price Cheapest | €151 Average price | €153 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
16h 47m Average total duration 16h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 17h 45m Average total duration 17h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 34m Average total duration Fastest 1h 34m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 10h 27m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Copenhagen to Essen:
A bus is €65 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Copenhagen to Essen costing on average €149.
A bus is €68 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Copenhagen to Essen costing on average €151.
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Train takes on average 16h 17m.
Bus takes on average 17h 15m.
Tickets start at around €149 compared to roughly €153 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €4. The journey takes 16h 17m versus 10h 27m 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.
The table below shows live departures for Copenhagen to Essen trains for today, Monday, August 3. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:22 AM Copenhagen | 13h08 | 8:30 PM Essen | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Copenhagen to Essen run on average 3 times per day, taking around 16h 17m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €105 but you can travel from only €56 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 08:30, the last at 10:30. The fastest train covers the 441 miles (711 km) distance in 13h 8m.
Distance 441 miles (711 km) |
Average train duration 16h 17m |
Cheapest ticket price €105 |
Trains per day 3 |
Fastest train 13h 8m |
First train 8:30 AM |
Last train 10:30 AM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Discover the best of Essen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Essen trip today.
Regional art museum in nearby Antwerp with strong old masters collections, worth the short trip from Essen.
Railway museum in Essen’s old station area with locomotives, rolling stock, and exhibits on cross-border rail history.
Nearby botanical and heritage museum site in Kalmthout, valued for nature collections and regional cultural context.
Major heathland and forest reserve on the Belgian-Dutch border, ideal for walking, cycling, birdwatching, and quiet landscapes.
Central square and civic area of Essen, practical for orientation and local events, with easy access to shops and services.
Green domain with ponds and walking paths, popular for a relaxed stroll and nature close to the town center.
Kempense asperges are local white asparagus, often served in season with butter sauce, egg, and ham. The sandy Kempen soils around Essen are known for quality asparagus.
Asperges op Vlaamse wijze pairs white asparagus with chopped egg, melted butter, parsley, and often shrimp. It is a classic Flemish spring dish popular in the region.
Paling in 't groen is eel in a sauce of fresh green herbs. It is a traditional Flemish dish, especially associated with river and polder areas of northern Belgium.
Reputed dining venue near Essen with polished seasonal cuisine, suitable for a more upscale meal with attentive service.
Established restaurant in Essen known for refined Belgian-French cooking and seasonal produce in an elegant, calm setting.
Well-known local brasserie serving classic Belgian dishes and beers in a relaxed atmosphere suited to casual lunches and dinners.
Moderate for Belgium: hotels and dining are mid-priced, while local transit is reasonable. Tourist costs are lower than Brussels or Bruges but higher than smaller towns.
Service is usually included. Rounding up or leaving 5-10% for great restaurant service is appreciated. Round up taxi fares; small change is fine in cafes.
Official public transport app
Essen -> Essen Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Copenhagen 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.

Most Copenhagen to Essen trains use the København Hovedb. to Essen station pair. Use this guide to compare Copenhagen and Essen train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
København Hovedb. has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant Frk. Barners Kælder, Tivoli Food Hall
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at København Hovedb.. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at København Hovedb.. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at København Hovedb.: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at København Hovedb.: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at København Hovedb.: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Astoria, Copenhagen Plaza Hotel, Hotel Ansgar.
Essen has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Essen.
ATMs are available at Essen.
Available at Essen: Parking.
Available at Essen: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need