- Must visit
Kunsthalle Bielefeld
Bielefeld’s leading art museum, designed by Philip Johnson, presents major modern and contemporary works in a celebrated building.
Cheapest price
€7
Average price
€17
Fastest journey
1 h 19 m
Average duration
1 h 30 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
123 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Essen to Bielefeld is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Bielefeld will cost around €17 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €7.
Of the 4 trains that leave Essen for Bielefeld on Fri, Aug 14, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Aug 14 the direct trains cover the 123 km distance in an average of 1 h 30 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 19 m .
On Fri, Aug 14 the slowest trains will take 1 h 34 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 train as it is the most popular option from Essen to Bielefeld among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €14. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 26m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €14, and a train costs an average of €7.
Distance: 76 miles (123 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€17 Average price | €14 Average price Cheapest | €22 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 56m Average total duration Fastest 1h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 7m Average total duration 1h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 47m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Essen to Bielefeld:
A bus is €3 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Bielefeld costing on average €17.
Other travel options to Bielefeld take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 37m.
The journey is about 21m faster (1h 26m by train vs 1h 47m by car) and roughly €4 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (€17 vs €22). 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.
The table below shows live departures for Essen to Bielefeld trains for today, Thursday, August 13. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 3:04 PM Essen | 1h34 | 4:38 PM Bielefeld | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, August 14 | |||||
![]() | 4:44 AM Essen | 1h19 | 6:03 AM Bielefeld | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:04 AM Essen | 1h34 | 9:38 AM Bielefeld | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train 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 Essen to Bielefeld run on average 8 times per day, taking around 1h 26m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €7 if you book in advance.
There are 6 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:04, the last at 23:42. The fastest train covers the 76 miles (123 km) distance in 1h 15m.
Distance 76 miles (123 km) |
Average train duration 1h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price €7 |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 6 |
Fastest train 1h 15m |
First train 12:04 AM |
Last train 11:42 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Bielefeld — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bielefeld trip today.
Bielefeld’s leading art museum, designed by Philip Johnson, presents major modern and contemporary works in a celebrated building.
This museum explores local and regional history from medieval times to the modern city through objects, documents, and exhibitions.
Located at Sparrenburg, the museum explains the fortress’s military past and gives context to Bielefeld’s best-known landmark.
Bielefeld’s historic old town is ideal for walking, with restored facades, churches, shops, and easy access to major sights.
A large forested ridge south of the center, perfect for hiking, viewpoints, and combining nature with the Sparrenburg visit.
This broad pedestrian street is the city’s main shopping axis and a lively place to experience daily urban life.
Pickled herring fillets in a creamy sauce with apples, onions and gherkins. A classic Westphalian fish dish often served with potatoes.
Hearty Westphalian ham, traditionally cured and lightly smoked over beechwood. It is a regional staple prized for its deep savory flavor.
Coarse rye bread baked with whole grains. Dense, slightly sweet and long-lasting, it is one of Westphalia’s most iconic everyday foods.
Elegant fine dining restaurant known for creative modern cuisine and polished service in a refined atmosphere.
Established restaurant with classic regional and German cooking, offering a cozy atmosphere suited to trying Westphalian specialties.
Traditional brewery-style venue serving hearty German dishes and beer in a lively, rustic setting popular with locals.
Moderate for Germany. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt, while local transit and everyday costs stay manageable for most visitors.
Tipping is modest. Round up or add about 5-10% in restaurants, round up taxi fares, and leave small change at cafes if service was good.
Official public transport app
Bielefeld Hbf -> Jahnplatz, Bielefeld
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Bielefeld 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 Bielefeld, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Essen to Bielefeld trains use the Essen Hbf to Bielefeld Hbf station pair, with some services arriving at Brackwede. Use this guide to compare Essen and Bielefeld train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Essen Hbf has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Bollywood Express - Pizza & More, Kiepenkerl, Cafe Extrablatt, Tacos
Wi-Fi is available at Essen Hbf. ATMs are available at Essen Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Essen Hbf. Information desks are available at Essen Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Essen Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Essen Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Essen Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Ambassador, Gästearpartment Dahl, WG-Hotel im Unperfekthaus, Motel One.
Essen West is 2 km from Essen city centre. Public transport options include:
Essen West has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Pizzeria Don Camillo, Lindos, Zur Platte, Arman Döner
Wi-Fi is available at Essen West. ATMs are available at Essen West.
Ticket office support is available at Essen West. Information desks are available at Essen West.
Luggage storage is available at Essen West. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Essen West: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Essen West: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen West.
Nearby hotels include McDreams.
Essen Süd is 1 km from Essen city centre. Public transport options include:
Essen Süd has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Bollywood Express - Pizza & More, Haus Wilmes, Mana Mana, Karawane
Wi-Fi is available at Essen Süd. ATMs are available at Essen Süd.
Ticket office support is available at Essen Süd. Information desks are available at Essen Süd.
Luggage storage is available at Essen Süd. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Essen Süd: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Essen Süd: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen Süd.
Nearby hotels include Webers.
Bielefeld Hbf has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: McDonald's, Mexims, Entrada, Lokma
Wi-Fi is available at Bielefeld Hbf. ATMs are available at Bielefeld Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Bielefeld Hbf. Information desks are available at Bielefeld Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Bielefeld Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bielefeld Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bielefeld Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bielefeld Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Wali, Altstadt Hotel Bielefeld, Hotel Stadt Bremen, Bielefelder Hof.
Brackwede is 4 km from Bielefeld city centre. Public transport options include:
Brackwede has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Wi-Fi is available at Brackwede.
Ticket office support is available at Brackwede. Information desks are available at Brackwede.
Luggage storage is available at Brackwede. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Brackwede: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Brackwede: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Brackwede.
Bielefeld-Senne is 7 km from Bielefeld city centre. Public transport options include:
Bielefeld-Senne has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Wölke, Tebie Grill
Wi-Fi is available at Bielefeld-Senne. ATMs are available at Bielefeld-Senne.
Ticket office support is available at Bielefeld-Senne. Information desks are available at Bielefeld-Senne.
Luggage storage is available at Bielefeld-Senne. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bielefeld-Senne: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bielefeld-Senne: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bielefeld-Senne.
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