Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Brussels to Essen
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Brussels to Essen 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 train which can get you there in 3h 2m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $17, and a train costs an average of $54.
Distance: 123 miles (198 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$28 Average price Cheapest | $96 Average price | $46 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 37m Average total duration 4h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 32m Average total duration Fastest 3h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 45m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train 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 Brussels to Essen:
A bus is $68 (€56) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Brussels to Essen costing on average $96 (€79).
A bus is $418 (€343) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Brussels to Essen costing on average $446 (€365).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 7m.
Flight takes on average 6h 43m.
Travel optionsfrom Brussels to Essen
How to get from Brussels to Essen by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Brussels to Essen is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
504282:05 PM5h40Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi)7:45 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$241One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
504282:05 PM5h40Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi)7:45 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$241One-way0 transfers
Fastest
KL1706 · KL18033:10 PM2h30Brussels Airport5:40 PMDusseldorf Airport$7301One-way1 transfer
Other options
ICE 11 · ICE 5456:23 AM2h55Brussels-Midi9:18 AMEssen Hbf$611One-way1 transfer
ICE 1113 · ICE 9453:25 PM2h55Brussels-Midi6:20 PMEssen Hbf$671One-way1 transfer
ICE 317 · ICE 6454:22 PM2h56Brussels-Midi7:18 PMEssen Hbf$861One-way1 transfer
504483:15 AM5h25Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi)8:40 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$491One-way0 transfers
FlixBus1:20 AM5h50Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi)7:10 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$551One-way0 transfers
KL1704+
KL180110:25 AM3h30Brussels Airport1:55 PMDusseldorf Airport$4041One-way1 transfer
KL1702+
KL18018:05 AM5h50Brussels Airport1:55 PMDusseldorf Airport$4041One-way1 transfer
KL1706+
KL18053:10 PM7h15Brussels Airport10:25 PMDusseldorf Airport$4041One-way1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Brussels to Essen
Travel to Essen easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Brussels to Essen.

This is compared to other travel options from Brussels to Essen:
A bus is $68 (€56) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Brussels to Essen costing on average $96 (€79).
A bus is $418 (€343) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Brussels to Essen costing on average $446 (€365).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 7m.
Flight takes on average 6h 43m.
- Around 10 flights per day.
- Around 8 trains per day.
- Around 5 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Brussels and Essen as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Brussels Airport and arrive in Dusseldorf Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Brussels-Midi and arrive in Essen Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi) and arrive in Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof).
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), SNCB to go to Essen by train.
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, BlaBlaCar to go to Essen by bus.
- 1 direct trains per day with Eurostar.
- 5 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, BlaBlaCar.
Travelling from Brussels to Essen: related information
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