4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Essen to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Essen to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $6 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 26m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $6, while a train costs an average of $10.
Distance: 36 miles (58 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$10 Average price | $6 Average price Cheapest | $13 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 26m Average total duration Fastest 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 58m Average total duration 1h 28m 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 Essen to Cologne:
A bus is $4 (€3) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Cologne costing on average $10 (€8).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 58m.
The journey is about 7m faster (56m by train vs 1h 3m by car) and roughly $4 (€3) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($10 (€8) vs $13 (€11)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
Travel optionsfrom Essen to Cologne
How to get from Essen to Cologne by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Essen to Cologne is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
504299:55 AM1h45Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)11:40 AMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$51One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 504299:55 AM1h45Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)11:40 AMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$51One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- 28074 · ICE 278:39 AM1h13Essen Hbf9:52 AMCologne Hbf$331One-way1 transfer
Other options
- S9 · ICE 5158:20 AM1h26Essen Hbf9:46 AMCologne Hbf$331One-way1 transfer
- 504499:00 PM1h45Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)10:45 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$51One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus8:30 PM1h40Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)10:10 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$71One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus10:10 PM1h40Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)11:50 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$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
Compare train and bus 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.
Sep 21
Sep 22
Sep 23
Sep 24
Sep 25
Sep 26
Sep 27
More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.
FAQs: Travel from Essen to Cologne
Travel to Cologne 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 Essen to Cologne.
This is compared to other travel options from Essen to Cologne:
A bus is $4 (€3) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Cologne costing on average $10 (€8).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 58m.
- Around 13 trains per day.
- Around 13 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Essen and Cologne as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Essen Hbf and arrive in Cologne Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, BlaBlaCar to go to Cologne by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Deutsche Bahn Regio (DB Regional) to go to Cologne by train.
- 13 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, BlaBlaCar.
- 9 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Deutsche Bahn Regio (DB Regional).
Travelling from Essen to Cologne: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Travel to popular destinations by train, bus or flight
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
