Stuttgart to Essen train with Deutsche Bahn (ICE)

Thu, May 14
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Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)
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Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)
Regionale
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2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Stuttgart to Essen

Showing times and prices for May 14

Cheapest price

$97

Average price

$136

Fastest journey

3 h 9 m

Average duration

3 h 23 m

Trains per day

5

Distance

335 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Stuttgart to Essen will cost around $136 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $97.

Fast trains

Of the 5 trains that leave Stuttgart for Essen on Thu, May 14, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Thu, May 14 the direct trains cover the 335 km distance in an average of 3 h 23 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 9 m .

On Thu, May 14 the slowest trains will take 4 h 9 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.

  • Deutsche BahnICE 612 · IC 1947 · ICE 200
    9:49 AM4h09
    Stuttgart Hbf
    1:58 PMEssen Hbf
    $971One-way
    2 transfers
  • Deutsche BahnICE 692 · ICE 202
    8:49 AM3h09
    Stuttgart Hbf
    11:58 AMEssen Hbf
    $1251One-way
    1 transfer
  • Deutsche Bahn19217 · ICE 1010
    9:52 AM3h20
    Stuttgart Hbf
    1:12 PMEssen Hbf
    $1411One-way
    1 transfer
  • Deutsche BahnICE 690 · ICE 200
    10:49 AM3h09
    Stuttgart Hbf
    1:58 PMEssen Hbf
    $1571One-way
    1 transfer
  • Deutsche BahnICE 612
    9:49 AM3h09
    Stuttgart Hbf
    12:58 PMEssen Hbf
    $1571One-way
    0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for Stuttgart to Essen

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Stuttgart to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $26. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 5m. 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 $26, and a flight costs an average of $233.

Distance: 208 miles (335 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Flight
Driving

$101

Average price

$38

Average price

Cheapest

$460

Average price

$76

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

4h 7m

Average total duration

3h 37m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

11h 12m

Average total duration

10h 42m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 5m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 5m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

4h 56m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.3kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.3 - 0.8kg

CO2 emissions

1.0 - 2.0kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Deutsche Bahn

Most popular train company

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Lufthansa Cityline

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.

The cheapest way to travel from Stuttgart to Essen is a bus with an average price of $38 (€31).

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

A bus is $63 (€50) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Stuttgart to Essen costing on average $101 (€81).

A bus is $422 (€338) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Stuttgart to Essen costing on average $460 (€369).

The fastest way to travel from Stuttgart to Essen is by flight with an average journey time of 2h 5m.

Other travel options to Essen take longer:

Train takes on average 3h 37m.

Bus takes on average 10h 42m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Stuttgart and Essen including taking a train, bus, and flight.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Stuttgart 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 1h 19m sooner (3h 37m by train vs 4h 56m by car). Tickets start at around $101 (€81) compared to roughly $76 (€61) 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.

Live departures

Stuttgart to Essen train times

The table below shows live departures for Stuttgart to Essen trains for tomorrow, Thursday, May 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
Deutsche Bahn7:49 AM Stuttgart
4h09
11:58 AM Essen0 transfersDirect
Deutsche Bahn8:26 AM Stuttgart
2h56
11:22 AM Essen0 transfersDirect
Deutsche Bahn8:36 AM Stuttgart
5h01
1:37 PM Essen0 transfersDirect
Deutsche Bahn8:49 AM Stuttgart
4h09
12:58 PM Essen0 transfersDirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Stuttgart 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.

Thu
May 14
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Why should you book Stuttgart to Essen trains with Omio?

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

Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn, but also compare tickets for the likes of Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) or Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) to find the best option for your trip from Stuttgart 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 Deutsche Bahn with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Stuttgart to Essen.

Why book with Omio over Trainline or Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Stuttgart to Essen.

ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Stuttgart to Essen

userReviewImage
userReviewLogo
The customer opinion was acquired via Cimenio. Cimenio incentivises its users for giving an honest opinion and proving the booking with a photo of the travel ticket.
Advantages
IconService
IconClean
Disadvantages
IconDelay
The journey from Essen to Stuttgart was relatively unspectacular. I had to change trains twice. Unfortunately, the connecting train was late. I found the service positive, as the staff were all friendly. The cleanliness and hygiene on the train were also exemplary.
Advantages
IconPrice
IconPunctuality
Disadvantages
IconMany changes
On my journey from Essen to Stuttgart, I had to change trains twice. The changes were uncomplicated, but a direct journey would still have been preferable. On the other hand, the ticket was relatively cheap. Except for the first train, the other two trains were relatively clean and hygienic, you felt comfortable. All the staff were friendly. There were no delays during the entire journey.
Advantages
IconStaff friendly and helpful
IconTrain very clean and comfortable seats and equipment
IconNo change
IconTemperature pleasantly regulated
Disadvantages
IconOne toilet defective
This train had been quite empty, so it had been quiet in the passenger compartment. Just as well, because one toilet was broken. But the staff were friendly and helped with problems. The train was quite clean, including the toilets and the on-board bistro. The seats were comfortable and had the full equipment. The temperature on the train was also pleasantly regulated. There was no need to change trains and the train was only a few minutes late, which is acceptable and cannot be considered a delay.
Advantages
IconClean train
Disadvantages
IconUnpunctual
I travelled from Essen to Stuttgart by ICE. Unfortunately, I had to change trains twice and the train in Wuppertal was late, so I had to hurry in Frankfurt. This unfortunately led to stress. I must say that all the machines were very clean. I was able to use the toilets in all the machines. Disappointingly, the staff were not always friendly and the wifi was not always available.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Stuttgart to Essen

GermanyGermany
GermanyGermany
Icon of train

Trains from Stuttgart to Essen run on average 13 times per day, taking around 3h 37m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $24 (€20) if you book in advance.

There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:48. The fastest train covers the 208 miles (335 km) distance in 2h 56m.

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
Distance
208 miles (335 km)
Average train duration
3h 37m
Cheapest ticket price
$24 (€20)
Trains per day
13
Direct trains
1
Fastest train
2h 56m
First train
12:01 AM
Last train
11:48 PM
Cheapest Month
May
Cheapest Day
Wed
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Thu
Least Busy Day
Mon
Best time to book
42 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

Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) from Stuttgart to Essen trainsDeutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) trains will get you between Stuttgart and Essen from $24 (€20). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

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
Average Duration
2h 56m
Cheapest Price
$24 (€20)
Deutsche Bahn frequency
10 a day
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
Learn more about Deutsche Bahn

Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 56m
Cheapest Price
$81 (€65)
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) frequency
16 a day

Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
3h 32m
Cheapest Price
$238 (€191)
Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) frequency
1 a day

FAQs: Trains from Stuttgart to Essen

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart to Essen can vary. The cheapest ticket starts at $24 (€20), while the average price is around $101 (€81).
The train from Stuttgart to Essen takes 2h 56m and runs 13 per day.
The distance by train from Stuttgart to Essen is 208 miles (335 km).
The first train from Stuttgart to Essen leaves at 12:01 AM.
The last train from Stuttgart to Essen leaves at 11:48 PM.
Yes, there is a direct train from Stuttgart to Essen. This service operates 1 times per day, provided by Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC).
Unfortunately, there is no night train available from Stuttgart to Essen.
The train station in Stuttgart that goes to Essen is Stuttgart Hbf, which connects to Essen Hbf.
The cheapest way to get from Stuttgart to Essen is by train, with a cost of around $24 (€20).
The train journey from Stuttgart to Essen offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with views of rolling hills, forests, and charming towns, though it is not typically regarded as one of Germany's most scenic routes.
A day trip from Stuttgart to Essen is not feasible as the journey takes 2h 56m each way. However, with 18 trains per day, there are frequent travel options.
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 Stuttgart to Essen.
Since both Stuttgart and Essen are in the Schengen Area, a passport is not required for European Union (EU) or Schengen-associated country citizens. A national ID card is sufficient.
Popular day trips by train from Essen include Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Münster, Aachen.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Stuttgart to Essen among Omio's users.
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.
Yes, rail passes such as the Eurail Pass and Interrail Pass are valid on most trains in Germany, including Deutsche Bahn regional and long-distance services. Some high-speed trains may require a reservation fee even with a rail pass.
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 Stuttgart to Essen

Stuttgart
Essen
The major train station for departures in Stuttgart is Stuttgart Hbf. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Stuttgart Hbf for your trip from Stuttgart to Essen.
Stuttgart HbfWifiLockersShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation Desk
Amenities at train station
WifiWifi
LockersLockers
ShoppingShopping
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
HotelHotel
LoungeLounge
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
Bike ParkingBike Parking
Bike RentalBike Rental
Car RentalCar Rental
Information DeskInformation Desk
information
address
Address
Arnulf-Klett-Platz 2, 70173 Stuttgart, Germany
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • Mon - Fri: 06:00 - 22:00
  • Sat - Sun: 07:00 - 22:00
Wifi
Wifi
  • Free Wi-Fi in the station.
Lockers
Lockers
  • Luggage lockers are located near the north entrance.
Dining
Dining
  • backWERK
  • Ditsch
  • Kamps Backstube
  • Le Crobag
  • Dunkin' Donuts
  • min min
  • Starbucks
  • Yorma's
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Escalators and elevators. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
Hotel
Hotel
  • ARCOTEL Camino Stuttgart
  • Mirage City Hotel Stuttgart Zentrum Hbf
  • Hotel Motel One Stuttgart-Mitte
Information Desk
Information Desk
  • Located on the south side of the station near Platform 1.
Stuttgart, Arnulf-Klett-Platz (Hauptbahnhof)Accessibility
Amenities at train station
AccessibilityAccessibility
information
address
Address
70173 Stuttgart, Germany
Stuttgart NordWifiLockersShoppingParkingTaxisAccessibilityWCLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingCar RentalInformation Desk
Amenities at train station
WifiWifi
LockersLockers
ShoppingShopping
ParkingParking
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
LoungeLounge
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
Bike ParkingBike Parking
Car RentalCar Rental
Information DeskInformation Desk
information
address
Address
Stuttgart Nord, Nordbahnhofstrasse, 70174 Stuttgard-Nord
ticketOfficeHours
Distance to city center
2 km

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