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 $8 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 33m. 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 $8, while a train costs an average of $38.
Distance: 36 miles (58 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$38 Average price | $8 Average price Cheapest | $14 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 33m Average total duration Fastest 1h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 23m Average total duration 1h 53m 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.
Compare ways to travel from Essen to Cologne
Compare the available ways to get from Essen to Cologne, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Essen to Cologne:
A bus is $30 (€25) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Cologne costing on average $38 (€32).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 23m.
Tickets start at around $38 (€32) compared to roughly $14 (€11) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about -$24 (-€20). The journey takes 1h 3m versus 1h 3m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
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.
504499:00 PM 1h45 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) 10:45 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) $6 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
- 50449
9:00 PM 1h45 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) 10:45 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) $6 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
- ICE 105
10:00 AM 0h48 Essen Hbf 10:48 AM Cologne Hbf $22 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
FlixTrain4:53 PM 0h50 Essen Hbf 5:43 PM Cologne Hbf $7 1 One-way 0 transfers- FlixTrain
8:50 PM 0h51 Essen Hbf 9:41 PM Cologne Hbf $7 1 One-way 0 transfers - FlixTrain
12:53 PM 0h52 Essen Hbf 1:45 PM Cologne Hbf $7 1 One-way 0 transfers
- FlixBus
6:10 AM 1h55 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) 8:05 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) $8 1 One-way 0 transfers - FlixBus
8:30 PM 1h40 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) 10:10 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) $8 1 One-way 0 transfers - FlixBus
4:00 PM 1h45 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) 5:45 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) $8 1 One-way 0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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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 $30 (€25) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Cologne costing on average $38 (€32).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 23m.
- Around 12 trains per day.
- Around 10 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 to go to Cologne by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain to go to Cologne by train.
- 10 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.
- 6 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain.
Travelling from Essen to Cologne: related information
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