- Must visit
Museum in der Kaiserpfalz
Major art and cultural history museum in Schloss Neuhaus with changing exhibitions, archaeology, and regional collections in a palace setting.
Cheapest price
€43
Average price
€43
Fastest journey
1 h 49 m
Average duration
1 h 49 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
124 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Essen to Paderborn is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Paderborn will cost around €43 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €43.
Of the 1 trains that leave Essen for Paderborn 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 124 km distance in an average of 1 h 49 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 49 m .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest trains will take 1 h 49 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 Paderborn among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €17. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 1h 10m. 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 €17, and a train costs an average of €11.
Distance: 77 miles (124 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€27 Average price | €19 Average price Cheapest | €21 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 5m Average total duration 1h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 40m Average total duration Fastest 1h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 5m 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 Paderborn:
A bus is €8 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Paderborn costing on average €27.
Other travel options to Paderborn take longer:
Train takes on average 1h 35m.
You'll arrive about 30m sooner (1h 35m by train vs 2h 5m by car). Tickets start at around €27 compared to roughly €21 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, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC).
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 Paderborn trains for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:21 AM Essen | 1h49 | 8:10 AM Paderborn | 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 Paderborn run on average 8 times per day, taking around 1h 35m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €11 if you book in advance.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:03, the last at 23:25. The fastest train covers the 77 miles (124 km) distance in 1h 46m.
Distance 77 miles (124 km) |
Average train duration 1h 35m |
Cheapest ticket price €11 |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 1h 46m |
First train 12:03 AM |
Last train 11:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 6 days |
Discover the best of Paderborn — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Paderborn trip today.
Major art and cultural history museum in Schloss Neuhaus with changing exhibitions, archaeology, and regional collections in a palace setting.
Computer museum with historic machines, interactive displays, and modern tech stories; one of Germany's leading museums of information technology.
Diocesan museum beside the cathedral, known for medieval treasures and ambitious temporary exhibitions of sacred art and design.
Compact source area of the Pader river with clear springs, greenery, and paths beside major monuments; the city's most characteristic walk.
Large baroque park around Schloss Neuhaus with canals, avenues, and event spaces; excellent for longer walks and relaxed sightseeing.
Main square framed by the town hall and market church, lively during markets and festivals and ideal for orienting yourself in the old center.
Westphalian rye bread baked dense and dark. It is a regional staple around Paderborn, traditionally served with ham, cheese, or butter.
A hearty Westphalian plate of rye bread with local ham, sausage, cheese, pickles, and spreads. It reflects the region's rustic farm food tradition.
Air-dried Westphalian ham with a mild smoky flavor. It is one of the best-known specialties of the wider region and commonly served in local inns.
Upscale dining in Hotel zur Mühle with refined German and seasonal cuisine, polished service, and an elegant atmosphere near the city center.
Traditional German restaurant known for schnitzel, steaks, and hearty regional dishes in a rustic, long-established setting.
Popular brewery-style venue serving German comfort food and beer in a lively, casual setting. A dependable choice for local flavors.
Moderate for Germany: hotels, dining, and local transit are usually cheaper than in major cities like Munich or Frankfurt.
Tipping is modest: round up or add about 5-10% in restaurants. Round up small taxi fares and leave small change in cafes.
Official public transport app
Paderborn Hbf -> Paderborn Rathausplatz
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Paderborn 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 Paderborn, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Essen to Paderborn trains use the Essen Hbf to Paderborn Hbf station pair, with some services arriving at Paderborn Nord. Use this guide to compare Essen and Paderborn 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-Steele is 4 km from Essen city centre. Public transport options include:
Essen-Steele 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: Bootshaus Ruhreck, Da Vinici, Asia-Nudeln, Bacchos
Wi-Fi is available at Essen-Steele. ATMs are available at Essen-Steele.
Ticket office support is available at Essen-Steele. Information desks are available at Essen-Steele.
Luggage storage is available at Essen-Steele. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Essen-Steele: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Essen-Steele: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen-Steele.
Nearby hotels include Zur Guten Quelle, Hotel Töff-Töff, Budike.
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.
Paderborn Hbf is 1 km from Paderborn city centre. Public transport options include:
Paderborn 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: Koya Kitchen, Café Central, Moso Sushi & Grill, Waffel Dream
Wi-Fi is available at Paderborn Hbf. ATMs are available at Paderborn Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Paderborn Hbf. Information desks are available at Paderborn Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Paderborn Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Paderborn Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Paderborn Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Paderborn Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Haus Irma, Südhotel.
Paderborn Nord is 1 km from Paderborn city centre. Public transport options include:
Paderborn Nord 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: Cafeteria, Café Röhren, Cherusker Klause, Haci Baba
Wi-Fi is available at Paderborn Nord. ATMs are available at Paderborn Nord.
Ticket office support is available at Paderborn Nord. Information desks are available at Paderborn Nord.
Luggage storage is available at Paderborn Nord. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Paderborn Nord: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Paderborn Nord: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Paderborn Nord.
Nearby hotels include Aspethera, Zur Mühle, Arthotel Ana Fleur, Cherusker Hof.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need