London to Essen train with Eurostar

Wed, Jul 29
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Eurostar
Deutsche Bahn
Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)
Regionale
iryo
2,000+ travel companies
Eurostar
Deutsche Bahn
Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)
Regionale
iryo
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from London to Essen

Showing times and prices for Jul 29

Cheapest price

$155

Average price

$280

Fastest journey

5 h 17 m

Average duration

5 h 59 m

Trains per day

4

Distance

494 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from London to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from London to Essen will cost around $280 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $155.

Fast trains

Of the 4 trains that leave London for Essen on Wed, Jul 29, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Wed, Jul 29 the direct trains cover the 494 km distance in an average of 5 h 59 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 17 m .

On Wed, Jul 29 the slowest trains will take 6 h 14 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.

  • Eurostar
    1:01 PM6h14
    London
    7:15 PMEssen
    $1551One-way
    0 transfers
  • Eurostar
    3:04 PM6h11
    London
    9:15 PMEssen
    $2941One-way
    0 transfers
  • Deutsche Bahn
    8:01 AM5h17
    London
    1:18 PMEssen
    $3291One-way
    0 transfers
  • Eurostar
    12:01 PM6h14
    London
    6:15 PMEssen
    $3421One-way
    0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for London to Essen

Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from London to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $17. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 19m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the bus is your best bet as it emits only 0.5 - 1.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $17, and a train costs an average of $118.

Distance: 306 miles (494 km)

Compare train with

Train
Most popular
Flight
Bus
Driving

$316

Average price

$52

Average price

Cheapest

$73

Average price

$36

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

5h 23m

Average total duration

4h 53m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 19m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 19m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

16h 27m

Average total duration

15h 57m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

7h 46m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

-

CO2 emissions

1.5 - 3.0kg

CO2 emissions

0.5 - 1.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

-

CO2 emissions

Eurostar

Most popular train company

Ryanair

Most popular airline

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from London to Essen is a flight with an average price of $52 (€52).

This is compared to other travel options from London to Essen:

A flight is $22 (€22) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from London to Essen costing on average $73 (€73).

A flight is $264 (€264) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London to Essen costing on average $316 (€316).

The fastest way to travel from London to Essen is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 19m.

Other travel options to Essen take longer:

Train takes on average 4h 53m.

Bus takes on average 15h 57m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between London and Essen including taking a train, bus, and flight.
We recommend using the flight as it is the most popular way to get from London to Essen among Omio's users.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 2h 53m sooner (4h 53m by train vs 7h 46m by car). Tickets start at around $316 (€316) compared to roughly $36 (€36) 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.

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.

Live departures

London to Essen train times

The table below shows live departures for London to Essen trains for today, Tuesday, July 28. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
Eurostar12:01 PM London
6h14
6:15 PM Essen0 transfersDirect
Eurostar1:01 PM London
6h14
7:15 PM Essen0 transfersDirect
Eurostar3:04 PM London
6h11
9:15 PM Essen0 transfersDirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets London to Essen by train, bus, or flight

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.

Wed
Jul 29
Thu
Jul 30
Fri
Jul 31
Sat
Aug 01
Sun
Aug 02
Mon
Aug 03
Tue
Aug 04

Why should you book London to Essen trains with Omio?

Eurostar as well as Deutsche Bahn or Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) offer trains services from London to Essen.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from London to Essen.

Why book with Omio vs Eurostar?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Eurostar, but also compare tickets for the likes of Deutsche Bahn or Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) to find the best option for your trip from London to Essen.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Eurostar with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from London to Essen.

Why book with Omio over Rome2rio, Trainline or Wanderu?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Deutsche Bahn or Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) to find the best option for your trip from London to Essen.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from London to Essen.

Journey information

Overview: Train from London to Essen

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
GermanyGermany
Icon of train

Trains from London to Essen run on average 5 times per day, taking around 4h 53m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $118 (€118) but you can travel from only $17 (€17) by flight.

The earliest train runs at 00:14, the last at 23:00. The fastest train covers the 306 miles (494 km) distance in 5h 11m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Flight from $17 (€17)
Distance
306 miles (494 km)
Average train duration
4h 53m
Cheapest ticket price
$118 (€118)
Trains per day
5
Fastest train
5h 11m
First train
12:14 AM
Last train
11:00 PM
Cheapest Month
Aug
Cheapest Day
Wed
High Season
Jul - Sep
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Thu
Least Busy Day
Sat
Best time to book
21 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Flight from $17 (€17)

Train companies: Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) from London to Essen trainsEurostar, Deutsche Bahn, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) trains will get you between London and Essen from $17 (€17). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Eurostar

About
Eurostar is a high-speed international rail service connecting the UK with France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, primarily via the Channel Tunnel. Since merging with Thalys in October 2023, Eurostar now operates an expanded network across Western Europe. Known for its city-center to city-center travel, Eurostar offers a convenient and environmentally friendly alternative to flying. Passengers can enjoy amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi and power sockets at every seat. Key destinations include London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne, with seasonal services to other locations.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
7h 11m
Cheapest Price
$260 (€260)
Eurostar frequency
10 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 small hand luggage included in standard ticket
Luggage storage
Dedicated luggage areas at the end of carriages and overhead racks
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies depend on ticket type and timing of cancellation
Refund
Full refund provided for canceled trains
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Café-bar serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, and light meals. First-class passengers receive complimentary meals on some routes
Seat reservation
Included in ticket price for all classes
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, and assistance for boarding/disembarking available
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed for a fee. Large dogs not permitted except guide dogs
Quiet zone

Deutsche Bahn

About
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany’s main train operator, running around 40,000 domestic and international services each day. Its fleet includes a variety of train types: high-speed ICE (Intercity Express) trains, reaching up to 300 km/h; IC (Intercity) and EC (EuroCity) trains for long-distance travel; and IRE (Interregio-Express), RE (Regional Express), and RB (Regionalbahn) services for regional and local connections. While bathrooms are standard on all trains, amenities such as onboard restaurants and free Wi-Fi are available only on certain train types and routes. DB offers a wide range of fares, including Super Saver, Saver, and Flexible tickets, along with discount cards like the BahnCard 25, 50, and 100. Additional options include single tickets, day tickets, and group tickets. Popular routes include Berlin–Munich, Hamburg–Frankfurt, Cologne–Stuttgart, Berlin–Dresden, and Hamburg–Cologne, as well as numerous regional services across Germany.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Luggage included
Passengers are allowed to bring hand luggage and one additional larger item free of charge, provided they can carry it themselves
Luggage storage
Luggage can be stored in overhead racks, under the seat, or in designated luggage areas near the doors or in the middle of the carriage.
Cancellation Policy
Tickets can be canceled based on their fare conditions as mentioned in what type of train tickets are refundable?
Refund
If DB cancels a train, passengers are entitled to a full refund of the ticket price.
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Most ICE and many IC/EC trains have:
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
Seat reservation
Second Class:
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
DB trains are equipped with facilities for passengers with reduced mobility, including wheelchair spaces, accessible restrooms, and assistance services.
Pets
Small pets (e.g. cats, small dogs, etc.):
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.
Quiet zone

Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
6h 11m
Cheapest Price
$233 (€233)
Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) frequency
3 a day

Complete guide to Essen

Things to do in Essen

Discover the best of Essen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Essen trip today.

  • Must visit

Museum Folkwang

World-class art museum in the Villa Hügel parkland, famous for 19th and 20th century masterpieces and changing exhibitions.

  • Must visit

Ruhr Museum

Ruhr Museum presents the region’s natural, cultural, and industrial history inside Zollverein’s iconic coal washery.

  • Recommended

Deutsches Plakat Museum

Internationally important poster museum with graphic design, advertising, and visual culture collections in a central location.

Euro (€)

Moderate for Germany. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt, while local transit and casual meals stay fairly affordable for visitors.

Average meal costs

Budget
€8-12 for fast food or a simple lunch.
Mid-range
€18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
€60+ per person at upscale restaurants.
Coffee
€2.50-4 for cappuccino or similar coffee.

Tipping culture

Tipping is modest. Round up or add about 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Taxi fares are often rounded up. In cafes, small change or rounding up is typical.

FAQs: Trains from London to Essen

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London 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.

FAQs
Train ticket prices from London to Essen can vary. The cheapest ticket starts at $118 (€118), while the average price is around $316 (€316).
The train from London to Essen takes 5h 11m and runs 5 per day.
The first train from London to Essen leaves at 12:14 AM.
The distance by train from London to Essen is 306 miles (494 km).
The last train from London to Essen leaves at 11:00 PM.
Yes, there is a high-speed train from London to Essen.
There is no direct train service currently available from London to Essen.
Unfortunately, there is no night train available from London to Essen.
The train station in London that goes to Essen is London St Pancras International (STP), which connects to Essen Hbf.
The cheapest way to get from London to Essen is by flight, with a cost of around $17 (€17).
The train journey from London to Essen offers a mix of urban and rural scenery, including views of the English countryside, the Channel Tunnel, and parts of Belgium and the Netherlands, though it's more functional than scenic compared to dedicated scenic routes.
A day trip from London to Essen is not feasible as the travel time is 5h 11m. However, there are 4 train trips available per day for this journey, covering a distance of 306 miles (494 km).
To explore Essen's key attractions, such as the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, Museum Folkwang, and Grugapark, a stay of 2 to 3 days is generally sufficient.
Yes, you can take the train from London to Essen.
Essen is within the Schengen Area. Passport and visa requirements depend on your nationality. Entry and visa requirements can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's embassy or consulate.
Popular day trips by train from Essen include Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Münster, Aachen.
We recommend using the flight as it is the most popular way to get from London to Essen among Omio's users.
Currently, UK citizens do not need a visa for short stays (up to 90 days in a 180-day period) for tourism or business in the Schengen Area. However, the new ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is scheduled to launch in late 2026. Once active, this digital travel authorization will be a mandatory pre-travel requirement for all UK passport holders.
Items not allowed on trains typically include hazardous materials such as explosives, flammable liquids, corrosive substances, and illegal drugs. Additionally, large or bulky items that may obstruct aisles or emergency exits, as well as pets without proper carriers, may be restricted. Specific prohibited items can vary by train operator and region, so please check the rules for your particular journey.
Germany uses the euro (€) as its currency. Travelers generally find it convenient to use cards, especially contactless payments, in cities and larger establishments. However, cash is still widely accepted and sometimes preferred in smaller shops, markets, and rural areas. Carrying some cash is recommended for flexibility.
In Essen, travelers should be cautious of pickpocketing, especially in crowded areas like public transport and popular tourist spots. Scams involving fake charity collectors and overpriced taxi rides have also been reported. It's advisable to use official transport services and stay alert in busy locations to ensure safety.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.

popular train stations

Popular train stations from London to Essen

Most London to Essen trains use the London St Pancras International to Essen Hbf station pair, with some services arriving at Essen Süd. Use this guide to compare London and Essen train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in London
Arrival train stations in Essen
London St Pancras InternationalPancras Road, London, Greater London, N1C 4QP, UK+44 2078437688WifiLockersShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to London St Pancras International from London city centre

Bus91, N91 · 23m · $11 · every ~28 min
73, N73 · 26m · $2 · every ~33 min
390 · 48m · $2 · every ~27 min
SubwayPiccadilly · 11m · $2 · every ~91 min

London St Pancras International train station facilities and services

London St Pancras International has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.

Food and drink

Food options include: The Betjeman Arms, AMT Coffee, The Booking Office, Carluccio’s, Chop’d, Greggs

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free, unlimited WiFi is available throughout the station. ATMs are located in the Circle area and inside the Arcade.

Tickets and information

The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 05:45 - 22:00, Sat: 06:00 - 21:00, Sun: 08:00 - 22:15. Information desks are located on the lower level in the main hall.

Luggage and lost property

Luggage storage is luggage lockers are located on the lower concourse close to the Eurostar line. Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at London St Pancras International: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at London St Pancras International: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at London St Pancras International: Wheelchair access, elevators, escalators, complimentary assistance for passengers with reduced mobility and other needs.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include The Standard, Kimpton Fitzroy London, Alhambra Hotel.

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