4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cologne to Essen
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $5. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 55m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $5, and a train costs an average of $7.
Distance: 36 miles (58 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$16 Average price | $6 Average price Cheapest | $14 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 25m Average total duration Fastest 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 0m Average total duration 1h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 3m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus 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 Cologne to Essen:
A bus is $9 (€7) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Essen costing on average $16 (€12).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 30m.
Travel optionsfrom Cologne to Essen
How to get from Cologne to Essen by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cologne to Essen is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
504286:00 PM1h45Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)7:45 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$51One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 504286:00 PM1h45Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)7:45 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$51One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- ICE 2001:11 PM0h47Cologne Hbf1:58 PMEssen Hbf$91One-way0 transfers
Other options
FlixTrain8:14 AM0h48Cologne Hbf9:02 AMEssen Hbf$91One-way0 transfers- FlixTrain4:14 PM0h48Cologne Hbf5:02 PMEssen Hbf$91One-way0 transfers
- FlixTrain12:14 PM0h49Cologne Hbf1:03 PMEssen Hbf$91One-way0 transfers
- 504585:00 PM1h55Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)6:55 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$51One-way0 transfers
- 504486:40 AM2h00Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)8:40 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$51One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus11:35 PM1h35Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)1:10 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$71One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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FAQs: Travel from Cologne 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 Cologne to Essen.
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Essen:
A bus is $9 (€7) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Essen costing on average $16 (€12).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 30m.
- Around 14 buses per day.
- Around 12 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cologne and Essen as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Cologne Hbf and arrive in Essen Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) and arrive in Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof).
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Deutsche Bahn Regio (DB Regional) to go to Essen by train.
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus to go to Essen by bus.
- 9 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Deutsche Bahn Regio (DB Regional).
- 14 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus.
Travelling from Cologne to Essen: related information
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