- Must visit
Museum Giethoorn 't Olde Maat Uus
Museum on Giethoorn’s peat-cutting past, village life, and historic homes. Essential for understanding how the canal landscape was formed.
Cheapest price
€59
Average price
€59
Fastest journey
3 h 51 m
Average duration
3 h 51 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
156 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Essen to Giethoorn is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Giethoorn will cost around €59 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €59.
Of the 1 trains that leave Essen for Giethoorn on Wed, Aug 05, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 05 the direct trains cover the 156 km distance in an average of 3 h 51 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 51 m .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest trains will take 3 h 51 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 Giethoorn among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €28. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 14m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €28, and a train costs an average of €25.
Distance: 96 miles (156 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€49 Average price | €42 Average price Cheapest | €37 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 44m Average total duration Fastest 3h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 25m Average total duration 8h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 36m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Essen to Giethoorn:
A bus is €7 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Giethoorn costing on average €49.
Other travel options to Giethoorn take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 55m.
Tickets start at around €49 compared to roughly €37 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €-11.89. The journey takes 3h 14m versus 2h 36m 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 Essen to Giethoorn trains for today, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:20 PM Essen | 3h53 | 11:13 PM Giethoorn | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, August 5 | |||||
![]() | 7:00 AM Essen | 3h51 | 10:51 AM Giethoorn | 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 Giethoorn run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 14m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €25 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 08:01, the last at 18:16. The fastest train covers the 96 miles (156 km) distance in 3h 11m.
Distance 96 miles (156 km) |
Average train duration 3h 14m |
Cheapest ticket price €25 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 3h 11m |
First train 8:01 AM |
Last train 6:16 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Discover the best of Giethoorn — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Giethoorn trip today.
Museum on Giethoorn’s peat-cutting past, village life, and historic homes. Essential for understanding how the canal landscape was formed.
Exhibition venue dedicated to old shells, minerals, fossils, and regional curiosities. A quirky stop that appeals to families and collectors.
Nearby regional museum with art and historical displays connected to the wider Steenwijkerland area, useful for deeper local context.
Giethoorn’s signature canal lined with bridges, boats, and thatched farmhouses. The essential area for first-time visitors and photos.
Main footpath along the old village canal, ideal for strolling past bridges, gardens, museums, and classic waterside homes.
Large nearby lake popular for boating, sailing, and wide-open views. It adds a natural counterpoint to the narrow village canals.
A warm Dutch split pea soup with pork and sausage. A winter staple across the Netherlands, often eaten thick enough to stand a spoon in.
Smoked freshwater eel from Dutch waters. It is a classic regional delicacy in watery areas like Overijssel and suits Giethoorn’s canal setting.
Small Dutch pancakes served sweet or savory. They are a beloved traditional treat found across the country and popular for casual meals.
Well-known waterfront restaurant in central Giethoorn with Dutch and international dishes, ideal for a scenic lunch or relaxed dinner.
Popular canal-side venue known for pancakes and approachable Dutch meals in a casual setting suited to families and day visitors.
Established restaurant with waterside seating, serving classic Dutch and European fare in a traditional Giethoorn atmosphere.
Moderate for the Netherlands: lodging can be pricey in peak season, but dining is manageable and the village is walkable, so local transport costs stay low.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for good restaurant service. Taxis are often rounded up. Small change is fine in cafes.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Giethoorn 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 Giethoorn, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Essen to Giethoorn trains use the Essen Hbf to Steenwijk station pair. Use this guide to compare Essen and Giethoorn 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, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus. ATMs are available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus.
Ticket office support is available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus.
Available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus: The station has basic accessibility features.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need