The cheapest and fastest trains from Charleroi to Essen
Cheapest price
£102
Average price
£102
Fastest journey
4 h 22 m
Average duration
4 h 22 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
214 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Charleroi to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Charleroi to Essen will cost around £102 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £102.
Of the 1 trains that leave Charleroi for Essen every day 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 214 km distance in an average of 4 h 22 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 22 m .
The slowest trains will take 4 h 22 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.


Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Charleroi to Essen
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Charleroi to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £15. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 33m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £15, and a flight costs an average of £193.
Distance: 214 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£79 Average Price | £22 Average Price Cheapest | £320 Average Price |
4h 3m Average total duration Fastest 3h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 24m Average total duration 3h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 18m Average total duration 7h 18m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Charleroi to Essen train times
The table below shows live departures for Charleroi to Essen trains for today, Tuesday 10 March. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 08:25 Charleroi | 4h22 | 12:47 Essen | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 14:19 Charleroi | 4h28 | 18:47 Essen | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Charleroi to Essen by train, coach or flight
Compare train, coach 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.
11 Mar
12 Mar
13 Mar
14 Mar
15 Mar
16 Mar
17 Mar
Why should you book Charleroi to Essen trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn, but also compare tickets for the likes of SNCB to find the best option for your trip from Charleroi to Essen.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Deutsche Bahn with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Charleroi to Essen.
Why book with Omio over Trainline or Wanderu?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of SNCB to find the best option for your trip from Charleroi to Essen.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Charleroi to Essen.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Charleroi to Essen
Trains from Charleroi to Essen run on average 5 times per day, taking around 3h 33m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £63 but you can travel from only £15 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 02:09, the last at 22:01. The fastest train covers the 214 km distance in 2h 50m.
Distance 214 km |
Average train duration 3h 33m |
Cheapest ticket price £63 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 2h 50m |
First train 02:09 |
Last train 22:01 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, SNCB from Charleroi to Essen trainsDeutsche Bahn, SNCB trains will get you between Charleroi and Essen from £15. 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.
SNCB
FAQs: Charleroi to Essen train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Charleroi 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.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Charleroi and Essen
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Access via Rue de la Villette.
- La Manufacture Urbaine
- Le Pain Quotidien
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- €0.50
- Ibis Charleroi Centre Gare
- Leonardo Hotel Charleroi City Center
- Novotel Charleroi Centre
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-6 for international and intercity trains
- Hall 2: platform 7-10 for local and regional trains
- Bus: TEC lines 1, 3, 4, 18
- Metro: Line M1, Line M2
- 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
- Burger King
- Werner
- Bückmannsmühle
- Muckel-Eis
Most popular train connections from Charleroi
More options for your journey from Charleroi to Essen
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