The cheapest and fastest trains from Budapest to Essen
Cheapest price
£131
Average price
£160
Fastest journey
12 h 35 m
Average duration
13 h 5 m
Trains per day
9
Distance
972 km
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 £160 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £131.
To travel from Budapest to Essen you need to make at least 2 changes.
RJX 62 · ICE 526 · S 1
RJX 62 · ICE 526 · Bus RE6X
EC 140 · RJX 766 · REX 5908 · RE 4075
EC 140 · RJX 766 · EC 112 · ICE 224
EC 140 · RJX 766 · EC 112 · ICE 1222
EC 140 · RJX 766 · REX 5908 · RE 4075
RJX 62 · ICE 90 · ICE 528 · Bus RE6X
RJX 62 · ICE 90 · ICE 528 · RE 28534
EC 140 · RJX 766 · EC 112 · ICE 224
RJX 62 · ICE 526 · Bus RE6XTravel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Budapest to Essen
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Budapest to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £40. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 4m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.3 - 0.9kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £40, and a flight costs an average of £53.
Distance: 972 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Coach |
|---|---|---|
£107 Average Price | £143 Average Price | £71 Average Price Cheapest |
13h 13m Average total duration 12h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 4m Average total duration Fastest 2h 4m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 21h 12m Average total duration 20h 42m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.3 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.9 - 5.8kg CO2 emissions | 1.0 - 2.4kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Budapest to Essen train times
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EC 140 · RJX 766 · REX 5908 · RE 4075 | On time 07:40 Budapest Keleti | 12h35 | 20:15 Essen Hbf | 5 changes | |
EC 140 · RJX 766 · EC 112 · ICE 224 | 07:40 Budapest Keleti | 13h15 | 20:55 Essen Hbf | 4 changes | |
EC 140 · RJX 766 · EC 112 · ICE 1222 | 07:40 Budapest Keleti | 14h46 | 22:26 Essen | 5 changes | |
RJX 62 · ICE 90 · RE 26734 · RB 90350 | On time 08:40 Budapest Keleti | 14h26 | 23:06 Essen Hbf | 4 changes | |
RJX 62 · ICE 526 · S 1 | On time 08:40 Budapest Keleti | 14h15 | 22:55 Essen Hbf | 2 changes | |
RJX 62 · ICE 90 · ICE 528 · Bus RE6X | On time 08:40 Budapest Keleti | 12h46 | 21:26 Essen | 3 changes | |
RJX 62 · ICE 90 · RE 26734 · RE 91662 | On time 08:40 Budapest Keleti | 13h58 | 22:38 Essen | 4 changes | |
RJX 62 · ICE 90 · ICE 528 · RE 28534 | On time 08:40 Budapest Keleti | 13h04 | 21:44 Essen Hbf | 4 changes | |
RJX 62 · ICE 526 · Bus RE6X | On time 08:40 Budapest Keleti | 13h46 | 22:26 Essen | 2 changes | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Budapest to Essen by train, coach or flight
05 Nov
06 Nov
07 Nov
08 Nov
09 Nov
10 Nov
11 Nov
12 Nov
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18 Nov
Journey information
Overview: Train from Budapest to Essen
Distance 972 km |
Average train duration 12h 43m |
Cheapest ticket price £42 |
Trains per day 19 |
Fastest train 12h 7m |
First train 00:04 |
Last train 23:51 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB | Railjet, Regiojet from Budapest to Essen trainsDeutsche Bahn, ÖBB | Railjet, Regiojet trains will get you between Budapest and Essen from £40. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Deutsche Bahn
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.
ÖBB | Railjet
Regiojet
FAQs: Budapest to Essen train

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Budapest and Essen
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7, accessible from Kerepesi út.
- Rosenstein Restaurant
- Huszar Restaurant
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- HUF 200
- Hotel Hungaria City Center
- Baross City Hotel
- Royal Park Boutique Hotel
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-6 for international and intercity trains
- Hall 2: platforms 7-13 for regional trains
- Hall 3: platforms 14-18 for suburban trains
- Metro: Line M2, Line M4
- Bus: Several lines available
- Tram: Line 24
- 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, with access from Etele tér.
- Restaurant Etele Plaza
- KFC Etele Plaza
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- HUF 200
- Hotel Griff
- Hotel Ventura
- Hotel Berlin
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-8 for international and domestic long-distance trains
- Hall 2: regional and suburban train platforms
- Hall 3: Metro and tram connections
- Metro: Line M4
- Tram: Line 1, Line 19, Line 49
- Bus: Several lines available
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Departures can be made outside of opening hours. Access via Nyugati tér.
- Két Szerecsen
- Menza Restaurant
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- HUF 200
- Hotel Parlament
- Radisson Blu Béke Hotel
- Hilton Budapest City
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-4 for international trains
- Hall 2: domestic and regional train platforms
- Hall 3: metro and tram connections
- Metro: Line M3
- Tram: Line 4, Line 6
- Bus: Several lines available
- Mon - Sun: 06:00-10:00, 10:20-14:00, 14:25- 17:35
- Located in the passenger hall, approaching the entrance near the international checkout to the left.
- Déli Terasz Söröző
- Ibrahim török büfé
- Vagon Etterem
- Fornetti
- Trio pizza
- Turkish Döner KEBAB
- Déli Mosoly
- Balatonexpressz Étkezőkocsi
- Club D One
- Lokomotív Falatozó
- There are some accessible features including ramps and elevators.
- Mercure Budapest Castle Hill
- Christina Residence Budapest
- ibis Budapest Castle Hill
- Mon - Sun: 06:00-10:00, 10:20-14:00, 14:25- 17:35
- Located in the passenger hall of the train station, next to the international ticket offices.
- Metro lines: M2 (red)
- Tram lines: 17, 56, 56A, 59, 59A, 59B, 61
- Bus lines: 21, 21A, 39, 102, 139, 140, 140A, N960, N990
- Train lines: IC, IR, S (10, 12, 30, 34, 35, 40, 42), Z30
- 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Access is available via Mester utca.
- Nándori Cukrászda
- Petrus Restaurant
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- HUF 200
- Ibis Styles Budapest City
- Hotel Thomas Budapest
- Leonardo Hotel Budapest
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-2 for regional trains
- Hall 2: freight services
- Tram: Line 2, Line 24
- Bus: Several lines available
- Monday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Thursday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Friday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Saturday: 09:00 - 18:00
- Sunday: 09:00 - 18:00
- Bollywood Express - Pizza & More
- Kiepenkerl
- Cafe Extrablatt
- Tacos
- Ambassador
- Gästearpartment Dahl
- WG-Hotel im Unperfekthaus
- Motel One
- Bollywood Express - Pizza & More
- Haus Wilmes
- Mana Mana
- Karawane
- Webers
- Pizzeria Don Camillo
- Lindos
- Zur Platte
- Arman Döner
- McDreams
- Burger King
- Werner
- Bückmannsmühle
- Muckel-Eis
- Bootshaus Ruhreck
- Bacchos
- Döner
- Eiscafe Kemmerling
Most popular train connections from Budapest
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