- Must visit
Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister
Major Old Masters gallery in Wilhelmshöhe Palace with works by Rembrandt, Rubens and Dürer in a grand historic setting.
Cheapest price
€36
Average price
€47
Fastest journey
2 h 40 m
Average duration
2 h 47 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
173 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Essen to Kassel is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Kassel will cost around €47 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €36.
Of the 4 trains that leave Essen for Kassel on Thu, Aug 06, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Aug 06 the direct trains cover the 173 km distance in an average of 2 h 47 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 40 m .
On Thu, Aug 06 the slowest trains will take 3 h 3 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 Kassel among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €10. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 44m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €10, and a train costs an average of €19.
Distance: 107 miles (173 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€45 Average price | €16 Average price Cheapest | €30 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 15m Average total duration 2h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 14m Average total duration Fastest 2h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 49m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.4kg 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 Kassel:
A bus is €28 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Kassel costing on average €45.
Other travel options to Kassel take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 45m.
You'll arrive about 4m sooner (2h 45m by train vs 2h 49m by car). Tickets start at around €45 compared to roughly €30 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Direct services run with Deutsche Bahn.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Essen to Kassel trains for today, Wednesday, August 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:15 AM Essen | 2h40 | 10:55 AM Kassel | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:13 PM Essen | 2h43 | 3:56 PM Kassel | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:22 PM Essen | 5h59 | 4:21 AM Kassel | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Essen to Kassel run on average 8 times per day, taking around 2h 45m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €19 but you can travel from only €10 by bus.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:15, the last at 23:46. The fastest train covers the 107 miles (173 km) distance in 2h 40m.
Distance 107 miles (173 km) |
Average train duration 2h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price €19 |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 2h 40m |
First train 12:15 AM |
Last train 11:46 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Kassel — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Kassel trip today.
Major Old Masters gallery in Wilhelmshöhe Palace with works by Rembrandt, Rubens and Dürer in a grand historic setting.
Contemporary art venue in a former spa building, best known as a key documenta location with rotating international exhibitions.
Compact museum on the Grimm brothers in the Palais Bellevue, highlighting their lives, scholarship and worldwide fairy-tale legacy.
UNESCO World Heritage hillside park with water features, woodland paths, monuments and some of Kassel's most spectacular panoramic views.
Baroque riverside park ideal for strolling, with canals, lawns, the Orangery and seasonal flower displays near the city center.
Central square framed by major museums and civic buildings, often used for events and known as one of Germany's largest urban plazas.
A green herb sauce from nearby Hesse, served cold with potatoes and eggs. It is a regional classic tied to spring herbs and everyday home cooking.
Air-dried, cured pork sausage from North Hesse. Its smoky, robust flavor makes it a staple of local snack platters and tavern food.
A hearty stew of potatoes and pork, often enriched with vegetables. It is traditional in North Hesse and valued as warming rural comfort food.
Upscale restaurant in Schlosshotel Bad Wilhelmshöhe known for refined seasonal cuisine and an elegant setting near Kassel’s parklands.
Historic venue in the Wilhelmshöhe area with classic German cooking, cakes, and a grand setting suited to a relaxed meal after sightseeing.
Traditional Hessian brewery restaurant serving regional dishes and beer in a rustic, lively atmosphere popular with locals and visitors.
Moderate for Germany: hotels and dining are usually cheaper than Frankfurt or Munich, while local transit and everyday costs stay fairly manageable for visitors.
Round up or tip 5-10% in restaurants for good service. In taxis, round up the fare. In cafes, small change or rounding up is customary.
Official public transport app
Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe -> Kassel Hauptbahnhof
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Kassel 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 Kassel, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Essen to Kassel trains use the Essen Hbf to Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe station pair, with some services arriving at Kassel Hbf. Use this guide to compare Essen and Kassel 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 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.
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.
Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe is 3 km from Kassel city centre. Public transport options include:
Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe 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: Matterhorn-Stübli, Biond Restaurant, Schwälmer Brotladen, Kleine Konoba
Wi-Fi is available at Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe. ATMs are available at Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe.
Ticket office support is available at Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe. Information desks are available at Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe.
Luggage storage is available at Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe.
Nearby hotels include InterCityHotel, Schweizer Hof, Kurfürst Wilhelm I., Kurparkhotel.
Kassel 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: HermannS, Eckstein, Lohmann, Il Convento
Wi-Fi is available at Kassel Hbf. ATMs are available at Kassel Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Kassel Hbf. Information desks are available at Kassel Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Kassel Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Kassel Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Kassel Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Kassel Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Hotel am Rathaus, Stadthotel, Arosa Hotel, Foto-Motel.
Kassel-Oberzwehren is 5 km from Kassel city centre. Public transport options include:
Kassel-Oberzwehren 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: Zum Langen Feld, Eichholz, Café Backlust, La Fontana Blu
Wi-Fi is available at Kassel-Oberzwehren. ATMs are available at Kassel-Oberzwehren.
Ticket office support is available at Kassel-Oberzwehren. Information desks are available at Kassel-Oberzwehren.
Luggage storage is available at Kassel-Oberzwehren. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Kassel-Oberzwehren: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Kassel-Oberzwehren: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Kassel-Oberzwehren.
Nearby hotels include Eichholz.
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