- Must visit
Museum Folkwang
One of Germany’s leading art museums, known for outstanding 19th- and 20th-century painting, photography, and modern art collections.
Cheapest price
$61
Average price
$156
Fastest journey
4 h 2 m
Average duration
4 h 2 m
Trains per day
35
Distance
364 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Nuremberg to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Nuremberg to Essen will cost around $156 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $61.
Of the 35 trains that leave Nuremberg for Essen on Tue, May 26, 13 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 26 the direct trains cover the 364 km distance in an average of 4 h 2 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 2 m .
On Tue, May 26 the slowest trains will take 4 h 2 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 520 · IC 60402 · 26805
ICE 1220
ICE 522 · ICE 920
ICE 908 · ICE 699 · IC 60402 · 26805
ICE 885 · ICE 618
ICE 2522
ICE 722
ICE 720
ICE 622
ICE 620Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Nuremberg to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $25. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 40m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $25, and a flight costs an average of $230.
Distance: 226 miles (364 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$117 Average price | $42 Average price Cheapest | $539 Average price | $85 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 49m Average total duration 4h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 16m Average total duration 6h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 40m Average total duration Fastest 1h 40m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 6m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 1.1 - 2.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | 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 Nuremberg to Essen:
A bus is $75 (€61) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Nuremberg to Essen costing on average $117 (€95).
A bus is $497 (€401) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Nuremberg to Essen costing on average $539 (€435).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 19m.
Bus takes on average 6h 46m.
You'll arrive about 47m sooner (4h 19m by train vs 5h 6m by car). Tickets start at around $117 (€95) compared to roughly $85 (€69) 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 Nuremberg to Essen trains for tomorrow, Tuesday, May 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 728 | 8:00 AM Nuremberg Hbf | 4h03 | 12:03 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 684 · IC 2046 · ICE 109 | On time 8:31 AM Nuremberg Hbf | 5h27 | 1:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 726 | Delayed 9:00 AM Nuremberg Hbf | 4h06 | 11:16 AM 11:16 AMEssen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 926 · ICE 200 | On time 9:31 AM Nuremberg Hbf | 4h27 | 1:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 926 · ICE 882 · ICE 1546 | On time 9:31 AM Nuremberg Hbf | 5h42 | 3:13 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 724 | Delayed 10:00 AM Nuremberg Hbf | 4h04 | 12:13 PM 12:13 PMEssen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 682 · IC 2048 · ICE 201 | On time 10:30 AM Nuremberg Hbf | 5h28 | 3:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 2522 | Delayed 11:00 AM Nuremberg Hbf | 4h02 | 1:16 PM 1:16 PMEssen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 722 | Delayed 11:00 AM Nuremberg Hbf | 4h02 | 1:16 PM 1:16 PMEssen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1228 · ICE 518 | On time 11:32 AM Nuremberg Hbf | 5h26 | 4:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1228 · ICE 108 | On time 11:32 AM Nuremberg Hbf | 4h26 | 3:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 720 | Delayed 12:00 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 4h02 | 2:16 PM 2:16 PMEssen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 680 · IC 2440 · ICE 203 | On time 12:31 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 5h27 | 5:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 628 · ICE 643 | On time 1:00 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 4h18 | 5:18 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 28 · ICE 106 | On time 1:32 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 4h26 | 5:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 28 · ICE 788 · ICE 1544 | On time 1:32 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 5h41 | 7:13 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 626 | Delayed 2:00 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 4h03 | 4:13 PM 4:13 PMEssen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 588 · IC 2442 · ICE 205 | On time 2:32 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 5h26 | 7:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 624 | Delayed 2:59 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 4h04 | 5:16 PM 5:16 PMEssen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1224 · ICE 514 | On time 3:32 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 5h26 | 8:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 622 | Delayed 4:00 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 4h02 | 6:19 PM 6:19 PMEssen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 622 · ICE 1284 · ICE 844 | On time 4:00 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 5h35 | 9:35 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 586 · IC 2444 · ICE 207 | 4:32 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 5h26 | 9:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 620 | 5:00 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 4h02 | 9:02 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 24 · ICE 512 | On time 5:32 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 5h26 | 10:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 528 | Delayed 6:00 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 4h02 | 8:16 PM 8:16 PMEssen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 584 · IC 2446 · 31281 | 6:31 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 5h32 | 12:03 AM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 526 | Delayed 7:01 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 6h01 | 11:27 PM 11:27 PMEssen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1220 | Delayed 7:32 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 5h41 | 11:25 PM 11:25 PMEssen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 524 · 26841 | On time 8:00 PM Nuremberg Hbf | 4h50 | 12:50 AM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
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 Nuremberg to Essen run on average 9 times per day, taking around 4h 19m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $33 (€27) but you can travel from only $25 (€20) by bus.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:04, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 226 miles (364 km) distance in 4h 3m.
Distance 226 miles (364 km) |
Average train duration 4h 19m |
Cheapest ticket price $33 (€27) |
Trains per day 9 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 4h 3m |
First train 12:04 AM |
Last train 11:56 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 91 days |
Discover the best of Essen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Essen trip today.
One of Germany’s leading art museums, known for outstanding 19th- and 20th-century painting, photography, and modern art collections.
A major regional museum inside the Zollverein Coal Mine complex, covering the natural, cultural, and industrial history of the Ruhr area.
Design museum in a former boiler house at Zollverein, showcasing contemporary product design and award-winning objects.
Large lake area popular for walking, cycling, sailing, and scenic relaxation, especially in warmer months.
Essen’s main pedestrian shopping street, busy and central, useful for first-time visitors exploring the heart of the city.
Large landscaped park with botanical features, open lawns, and family-friendly paths; one of Essen’s best green escapes.
Sliced sausage served with a spiced ketchup-style curry sauce, a beloved Ruhrgebiet snack commonly eaten with fries.
Classic grilled German sausage associated with fairs and events in Essen, typically served in a bread roll with mustard.
A traditional Westphalian beef stew seasoned generously with pepper, valued across the wider region for its hearty flavor.
Refined Michelin-starred dining known for modern tasting menus, polished service, and a special-occasion atmosphere.
Well-regarded upscale restaurant serving modern German cuisine with seasonal ingredients in an elegant but relaxed environment.
Traditional and long-running local restaurant praised for hearty German and regional dishes in a cozy, classic setting.
Moderate by German standards. Supermarkets and casual dining are affordable, while hotels and upscale restaurants cost more during trade fairs and events.
Service is usually included, but rounding up is standard. In restaurants, add about 5-10% for good service. Round up taxis and small café bills; tips are not obligatory.
Official public transport app
Essen Hbf, Essen -> Essen City Center, Essen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Nuremberg 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.

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