- Must visit
Museum Schloss Horst
Renaissance castle museum with exhibitions on archaeology, local history, and changing art shows in one of the city's finest historic sites.
Cheapest price on Sep 19
€56
Average ticket price on Sep 19
€94
Fastest journey on Sep 19
5 h 7 m
Average journey duration on Sep 19
5 h 18 m
Trains on Sep 19
17
Distance
492 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Munich to Gelsenkirchen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Munich to Gelsenkirchen will cost around €94 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €56.
On Sat, Sep 19, we found 17 trains from Munich to Gelsenkirchen, including 3 direct services.
On Sat, Sep 19 the direct trains cover the 492 km distance in an average of 5 h 18 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 7 m .
On Sat, Sep 19 the slowest trains will take 5 h 36 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.
ICE 118
ICE 224 · ICE 26
ICE 916 · ICE 28
ICE 916
ICE 596 · ICE 2516
ICE 916
ICE 1010
ICE 690 · ICE 2520
ICE 596 · ICE 2516
ICE 224 · 26831Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Munich to Gelsenkirchen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €63 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 3m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €63, while a flight costs an average of €400.
Distance: 305 miles (492 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€126 Average price | €400 Average price | €63 Average price Cheapest | €53 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 18m Average total duration 5h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 3m Average total duration Fastest 2h 3m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 14h 40m Average total duration 14h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 49m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.5 - 3.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() 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.
This is compared to other travel options from Munich to Gelsenkirchen:
A bus is €63 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Munich to Gelsenkirchen costing on average €126.
A bus is €337 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Munich to Gelsenkirchen costing on average €400.
Other travel options to Gelsenkirchen take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 48m.
Bus takes on average 14h 10m.
You'll arrive about 1h 1m sooner (5h 48m by train vs 6h 49m by car). Tickets start at around €126 compared to roughly €53 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 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 Munich to Gelsenkirchen trains for today, Friday, September 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 882 · 26718 · 31263 | On time 8:05 AM Munich Hbf | 6h55 | 3:00 PM Gelsenkirchen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 1010 | On time 8:19 AM Munich Hbf | 5h08 | 1:27 PM Gelsenkirchen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1010 · ICE 926+ 52256 | On time 8:19 AM Munich Hbf | 7h00 | 3:19 PM Gelsenkirchen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 690 · ICE 200 | On time 8:45 AM Munich Hbf | 5h18 | 2:03 PM Gelsenkirchen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 682 · 26720 · 31265 | On time 9:12 AM Munich Hbf | 6h48 | 4:00 PM Gelsenkirchen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 610 · ICE 926+ 52256 | On time 9:28 AM Munich Hbf | 5h51 | 3:19 PM Gelsenkirchen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 610 · IC 2045 · ICE 108 | On time 9:28 AM Munich Hbf | 6h38 | 4:06 PM Gelsenkirchen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Munich to Gelsenkirchen run on average 6 times per day, taking around 5h 48m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €28 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:42. The fastest train covers the 305 miles (492 km) distance in 5h 1m.
Distance 305 miles (492 km) |
Average train duration 5h 48m |
Cheapest ticket price €28 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 5h 1m |
First train 12:01 AM |
Last train 11:42 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Gelsenkirchen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Gelsenkirchen trip today.
Renaissance castle museum with exhibitions on archaeology, local history, and changing art shows in one of the city's finest historic sites.
Leading modern art museum in the Ruhr, noted for kinetic and contemporary works and ambitious temporary exhibitions.
Museum documenting pharmacy history inside Schloss Horst, with historic equipment and displays on medicine and daily life.
Large leisure park on a former colliery, combining industrial heritage, greenery, playgrounds, and canal-side walking routes.
Extensive zoo and landscaped grounds famous for Alaska-themed habitats and family-friendly outdoor exploration.
Elegant lakeside park around Schloss Berge, popular for strolling, boating views, and relaxed green space in Buer.
A hearty Ruhr-area potato stew with vegetables and sausage or bacon. It is a classic workers’ dish long associated with everyday home cooking in the region.
Pan-fried blood sausage with mashed potatoes and apples. Common across North Rhine-Westphalia, it is a traditional pub and home-style comfort meal.
Cured minced pork spread served on rye bread with onions. Popular in the Ruhr and nearby Westphalia as a simple, traditional snack or supper item.
Refined fine-dining restaurant in Gelsenkirchen known for modern German cuisine, careful presentation, and an elegant special-occasion atmosphere.
Traditional brewery-style venue serving hearty German and Ruhr-area dishes in a relaxed, rustic setting popular for local beer and classic comfort food.
Well-known casual venue for German grills, schnitzel, and regional comfort food with a lively, approachable atmosphere suited to groups and families.
Moderate for Germany: hotels are often cheaper than in major cities, while dining and local transit are fairly typical for the region.
Service is usually included. Round up or tip about 5-10% in restaurants, round up taxi fares, and leave small change at cafes.
Official public transport app
Gelsenkirchen Hbf -> Heinrich-König-Platz, Gelsenkirchen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Munich to Gelsenkirchen 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 Gelsenkirchen, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Munich to Gelsenkirchen trains use the München Hbf to Gelsenkirchen Hbf station pair, with some services arriving at Wanne-Eickel Hbf. Use this guide to compare Munich and Gelsenkirchen train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
München Hbf is 1 km from Munich city centre. Public transport options include:
München 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: Cantina Estación Mediterrano, Rischart Bakery, Ditsch Pretzels, backWERK, Cafe-Shop, Le Crobag, Yorma's, Coffee Fellows, Dunkin Donuts, McDonald's, & many more
Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes. . ATMs are available at München Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at München Hbf. Information desks are there is an information desk located on the main concourse near the food court.
Luggage storage is the station has luggage lockers. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at München Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at München Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at München Hbf: Accessibility equipment, elevators, & mobility service. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
Nearby hotels include a&o München Hauptbahnhof, IntercityHotel München, Sofitel Munich Bayerpost.
München Karlsplatz 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 München Karlsplatz.
Ticket office support is available at München Karlsplatz. Information desks are available at München Karlsplatz.
Luggage storage is available at München Karlsplatz. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at München Karlsplatz: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at München Karlsplatz: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at München Karlsplatz.
München Hackerbrücke is 2 km from Munich city centre. Public transport options include:
München Hackerbrücke 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: Augustiner Bräustuben, Lenz, Das Bad, Subway
Wi-Fi is available at München Hackerbrücke. ATMs are available at München Hackerbrücke.
Ticket office support is available at München Hackerbrücke. Information desks are available at München Hackerbrücke.
Luggage storage is available at München Hackerbrücke. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at München Hackerbrücke: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at München Hackerbrücke: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at München Hackerbrücke.
Nearby hotels include Theresienhöhe, Hotel Schweiz, Hotel Uhland, Germania.
Gelsenkirchen Hbf is 1 km from Gelsenkirchen city centre. Public transport options include:
Gelsenkirchen 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: Subway, Café Madrid, Shere Punjab, Café del Sol
Wi-Fi is available at Gelsenkirchen Hbf. ATMs are available at Gelsenkirchen Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Gelsenkirchen Hbf. Information desks are available at Gelsenkirchen Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Gelsenkirchen Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Gelsenkirchen Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Gelsenkirchen Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Gelsenkirchen Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Hotel St. Petrus.
Wanne-Eickel Hbf is 3 km from Gelsenkirchen city centre. Public transport options include:
Wanne-Eickel Hbf 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: Dschingis Khan, Kolpinghaus Wanne-Eickel, Nikolaus Grill, McDonald's
Wi-Fi is available at Wanne-Eickel Hbf. ATMs are available at Wanne-Eickel Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Wanne-Eickel Hbf. Information desks are available at Wanne-Eickel Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Wanne-Eickel Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Wanne-Eickel Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Wanne-Eickel Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Wanne-Eickel Hbf.
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