- Must visit
Museum Folkwang
Major art museum with strong 19th- and 20th-century collections, posters and photography. A leading cultural stop in central Essen.
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Budapest to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Budapest to Essen will cost around £97 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £75.
On Sun 01 Nov, we found 4 trains from Budapest to Essen, including 4 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 972 km distance in an average of 13 h 59 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 13 h 10 m .
The slowest trains will take 15 h 18 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

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Trains from Budapest to Essen run on average 8 times per day, taking around 12h 50m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £17 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 00:04, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 972 km distance in 10h 50m.
Distance 972 km |
Average train duration 12h 50m |
Cheapest ticket price £17 |
Trains per day 8 |
Fastest train 10h 50m |
First train 0:04 |
Last train 23:56 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 1 day |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Budapest to Essen.
The table below shows live departures for Budapest to Essen trains for tomorrow, Sunday 1 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:40 Budapest | 14h18 | 21:58 Essen | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 8:40 Budapest | 13h10 | 21:50 Essen | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 9:40 Budapest | 13h10 | 22:50 Essen | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 14:40 Budapest | 15h18 | 5:58 Essen | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
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
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Essen.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Budapest 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 Budapest to Essen trains use the Budapest Keleti to Essen Hbf station pair, with some services arriving at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus. Use this guide to compare Budapest and Essen train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Budapest Keleti is 3 km from Budapest city centre. Public transport options include:
Budapest Keleti has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Rosenstein Restaurant, Huszar Restaurant
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Budapest Keleti. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Budapest Keleti. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Budapest Keleti: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Budapest Keleti: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Budapest Keleti: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Hungaria City Center, Baross City Hotel, Royal Park Boutique Hotel.
Budapest-Déli is 1 km from Budapest city centre. Public transport options include:
Budapest-Déli has practical services for this route, including Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Déli Terasz Söröző, Ibrahim török büfé, Vagon Etterem, Fornetti, Trio pizza, Turkish Döner KEBAB, Déli Mosoly, Balatonexpressz Étkezőkocsi, Club D One, Lokomotív Falatozó
ATMs are aTM machines are located on the ground floor inside the main hall.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 06:00-10:00, 10:20-14:00, 14:25- 17:35. Information desks are located in the passenger hall of the train station, next to the international ticket offices.
Luggage storage is located in the passenger hall, approaching the entrance near the international checkout to the left.
Available at Budapest-Déli: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Budapest-Déli: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Budapest-Déli: There are some accessible features including ramps and elevators.
Nearby hotels include Mercure Budapest Castle Hill, Christina Residence Budapest, ibis Budapest Castle Hill.
Budapest-Kelenföld is 3 km from Budapest city centre. Public transport options include:
Budapest-Kelenföld has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant Etele Plaza, KFC Etele Plaza
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Budapest-Kelenföld. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Budapest-Kelenföld. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Budapest-Kelenföld: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Budapest-Kelenföld: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Budapest-Kelenföld: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Griff, Hotel Ventura, Hotel Berlin.
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-Werden is 7 km from Essen city centre. Public transport options include:
Essen-Werden 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: Kettner's Kamota, Abraham Konditorei & Cafe Werntges seit 1962, La Piazzetta, Pia
Wi-Fi is available at Essen-Werden. ATMs are available at Essen-Werden.
Ticket office support is available at Essen-Werden. Information desks are available at Essen-Werden.
Luggage storage is available at Essen-Werden. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Essen-Werden: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Essen-Werden: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen-Werden.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Hohenstein, Domstuben.
Check train stations information for Budapest and Essen, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need