Travel optionsfrom Essen to Heidelberg
How to get from Essen to Heidelberg by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Essen to Heidelberg is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus8:45 AM6h25Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)3:10 PMHeidelberg, Hauptbahnhof€261One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
FlixBus8:45 AM6h25Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)3:10 PMHeidelberg, Hauptbahnhof€261One-way0 transfers
Fastest
LH7310:40 AM0h50Dusseldorf Airport11:30 AMFrankfurt am Main Airport€1031One-way0 transfers
Other options
FlixTrain · FlixTrain9:04 AM11h54Essen Hbf8:58 PMHeidelberg Hbf€331One-way1 transfer
10170 · IC 60403 · ICE 69910:46 PM4h52Essen Hbf3:38 AMHeidelberg Hbf€351One-way2 transfers
10216 · 28519 · IC 25461:20 PM4h14Essen Hbf5:34 PMHeidelberg Hbf€371One-way2 transfers
FlixBus6:15 AM6h45Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)1:00 PMHeidelberg, Hauptbahnhof€271One-way0 transfers
FlixBus · FlixBus8:30 PM7h50Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)4:20 AMHeidelberg, Hauptbahnhof€331One-way1 transfer
FlixTrain+
FlixBus5:04 PM9h16Essen Hbf2:20 AMHeidelberg, Hauptbahnhof€331One-way1 transfer
LH796:10 AM0h50Dusseldorf Airport7:00 AMFrankfurt am Main Airport€1031One-way0 transfers
LH776:30 PM0h50Dusseldorf Airport7:20 PMFrankfurt am Main Airport€1031One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Essen to Heidelberg
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Essen to Heidelberg 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 13m. 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 €37.
Distance: 159 miles (257 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€63 Average price | €25 Average price Cheapest | €47 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 43m Average total duration Fastest 3h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 16m Average total duration 4h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 33m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.6kg 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 Heidelberg:
A bus is €38 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Heidelberg costing on average €63.
A bus is €88 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Essen to Heidelberg costing on average €113.
Other travel options to Heidelberg take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 13m.
Bus takes on average 4h 46m.
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
Compare bus, train, 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.
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FAQs: Travel from Essen to Heidelberg
Travel to Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg.

This is compared to other travel options from Essen to Heidelberg:
A bus is €38 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Heidelberg costing on average €63.
A bus is €88 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Essen to Heidelberg costing on average €113.
Other travel options to Heidelberg take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 13m.
Bus takes on average 4h 46m.
- Around 10 trains per day.
- Around 8 buses per day.
- Around 4 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Essen and Heidelberg as scheduled services by bus, train, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Essen Hbf and arrive in Heidelberg Hbf.
- Flights mostly depart from Dusseldorf Airport and arrive in Frankfurt am Main Airport.
- Buses mostly depart from Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) and arrive in Heidelberg, Hauptbahnhof.
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar to go to Heidelberg by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) to go to Heidelberg by train.
- 6 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
- 0 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC).
Travelling from Essen to Heidelberg: related information
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