- Must visit
Museum Folkwang
Major art museum with strong 19th- and 20th-century collections, posters and photography. A leading cultural stop in central Essen.
Cheapest price on 17 Sept
£54
Average ticket price on 17 Sept
£62
Fastest journey on 17 Sept
2 h 22 m
Average journey duration on 17 Sept
2 h 32 m
Trains on 17 Sept
5
Distance
218 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Bremen to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bremen to Essen will cost around £62 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £54.
To travel from Bremen to Essen you need to make at least one change.
ICE 517 · 10124
ICE 109 · S2
ICE 1033 · S2
ICE 519 · 10132
ICE 107 · S2
ICE 109 · S2
ICE 107 · S2
ICE 517 · 10124
ICE 519 · 10132
ICE 1033 · S2Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bremen to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £20 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 45m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £20, while a flight costs an average of £310.
Distance: 218 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£20 Average Price Cheapest | £22 Average Price | £310 Average Price | £34 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 45m Average total duration Fastest 2h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 3m Average total duration 3h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 16m Average total duration 4h 16m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 1m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.7 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | 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 Bremen to Essen:
A train is £2 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Bremen to Essen costing on average £22.
A train is £290 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Bremen to Essen costing on average £310.
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Coach takes on average 3h 33m.
Flight takes on average 4h 16m.
The journey is about 46m faster (2h 15m by train vs 3h 1m by car) and roughly £14 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£20 vs £34). 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.
Direct services run with Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC).
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Bremen to Essen trains for tomorrow, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 517 · 10124 | On time 8:44 Bremen Hbf | 2h30 | 11:14 Essen Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 107 · S2 | On time 9:44 Bremen Hbf | 2h23 | 12:07 Essen Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 519 · 10132 | On time 10:44 Bremen Hbf | 2h30 | 13:14 Essen Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 109 · S2 | On time 11:45 Bremen Hbf | 2h22 | 14:07 Essen Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 1033 · S2 | On time 12:11 Bremen Hbf | 2h56 | 15:07 Essen Hbf | 1 change |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach, 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.

Trains from Bremen to Essen run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 15m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £5 if you book in advance.
There are 6 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:04, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 218 km distance in 2h 12m.
Distance 218 km |
Average train duration 2h 15m |
Cheapest ticket price £5 |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 6 |
Fastest train 2h 12m |
First train 0:04 |
Last train 23:56 |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Essen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Essen trip today.
Major art museum with strong 19th- and 20th-century collections, posters and photography. A leading cultural stop in central Essen.
Industrial history museum in the former boiler house at Zollverein. Engaging displays explain coal, steel and daily life across the Ruhr.
Design museum inside the Zollverein complex, showing contemporary design, everyday objects and changing exhibitions in a dramatic industrial setting.
Large lake south of the centre, popular for walks, boat trips and cycling. It combines water views, leisure activities and green surroundings.
Former industrial complex turned cultural district with open spaces, architecture, art and walking routes. It is one of Essen’s essential urban experiences.
Extensive park with lawns, sculptures and event spaces near Museum Folkwang. It is ideal for a central stroll and relaxed city views.
A hearty potato stew from the Ruhr area, traditionally cooked with beef, onions and vegetables. It is a classic working-class comfort dish in Essen.
Mashed potatoes mixed with apples and onions, often served with black pudding or sausage. It is a well-known Rhineland and Ruhr comfort meal.
Pickled herring fillets in a sour marinade, often served with potatoes. This classic northern and western German fish dish is common in the Ruhr.
Elegant fine dining in Essen known for creative modern cooking and polished service in a calm, contemporary setting.
Long-established local favourite for classic German and Ruhr-style fare, with a cosy pub feel and straightforward cooking.
Traditional brewery restaurant serving hearty regional German dishes and fresh beer in a lively, rustic atmosphere.
Moderate for Germany. Hotels and dining are often slightly cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt, while local transport and everyday costs stay fairly manageable for visitors.
Service is usually not included. In restaurants, round up or tip about 5-10%. For taxis, round up the fare. In cafés, small change or rounding up is customary.
Official public transport app
Essen Hbf -> Essen Hbf
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bremen to Essen by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Essen, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Bremen to Essen trains use the Bremen Hbf to Essen Hbf station pair, with some services arriving at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus. Use this guide to compare Bremen and Essen train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Bremen Hbf is 1 km from Bremen city centre. Public transport options include:
Bremen Hbf has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Du & ich, Mexcal, Savarin, Aldo
Wi-Fi is available at Bremen Hbf. ATMs are available at Bremen Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Bremen Hbf. Information desks are available at Bremen Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Bremen Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bremen Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bremen Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bremen Hbf.
Nearby hotels include City-Hotel, Buthmann, Hotel Bremer Haus, Courtyard by Marriott.
Bremen Neustadt is 1 km from Bremen city centre. Public transport options include:
Bremen Neustadt has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burgerme, Pachamama, Novazena, Cafe & Bar Celona
Wi-Fi is available at Bremen Neustadt. ATMs are available at Bremen Neustadt.
Ticket office support is available at Bremen Neustadt. Information desks are available at Bremen Neustadt.
Luggage storage is available at Bremen Neustadt. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bremen Neustadt: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bremen Neustadt: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bremen Neustadt.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Stadt Bremen, Ibis Styles Bremen Altstadt, Westfalia, Hotel ÜberFluss.
Bremen-Walle is 3 km from Bremen city centre. Public transport options include:
Bremen-Walle has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Almaz, Muru's Curry, Aris da Franco, Palast Grill 7
Wi-Fi is available at Bremen-Walle. ATMs are available at Bremen-Walle.
Ticket office support is available at Bremen-Walle. Information desks are available at Bremen-Walle.
Luggage storage is available at Bremen-Walle. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bremen-Walle: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bremen-Walle: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bremen-Walle.
Essen Hbf has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Bollywood Express - Pizza & More, Kiepenkerl, Cafe Extrablatt, Tacos
Wi-Fi is available at Essen Hbf. ATMs are available at Essen Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Essen Hbf. Information desks are available at Essen Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Essen Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Essen Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Essen Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Ambassador, Gästearpartment Dahl, WG-Hotel im Unperfekthaus, Motel One.
Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus. ATMs are available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus.
Ticket office support is available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus.
Available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus: The station has basic accessibility features.
Essen-Bergeborbeck is 3 km from Essen city centre. Public transport options include:
Essen-Bergeborbeck has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Italia 2010, Grillimbis Patris, Abu Tayyeb Grill, Imbißstube Kapadokya
Wi-Fi is available at Essen-Bergeborbeck. ATMs are available at Essen-Bergeborbeck.
Ticket office support is available at Essen-Bergeborbeck. Information desks are available at Essen-Bergeborbeck.
Luggage storage is available at Essen-Bergeborbeck. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Essen-Bergeborbeck: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Essen-Bergeborbeck: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen-Bergeborbeck.
Nearby hotels include Leckebusch GmbH.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need