The cheapest and fastest trains from Charleroi to Essen
Cheapest price
£91
Average price
£91
Fastest journey
4 h 12 m
Average duration
4 h 12 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 £91 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £91.
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 12 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 12 m .
The slowest trains will take 4 h 12 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 £8. 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 £8, and a flight costs an average of £161.
Distance: 214 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£78 Average Price | £21 Average Price Cheapest | £323 Average Price |
4h 3m Average total duration Fastest 3h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 19m Average total duration 3h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 16m Average total duration 6h 16m 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 tomorrow, Wednesday 10 December. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 07:25 Charleroi | 4h12 | 11:37 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.
10 Dec
11 Dec
12 Dec
13 Dec
14 Dec
15 Dec
16 Dec
Journey information
Overview: Train from Charleroi to Essen
Trains from Charleroi to Essen run on average 10 times per day, taking around 3h 33m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £54 but you can travel from only £8 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 01:09, the last at 22:47. The fastest train covers the 214 km distance in 4h 12m.
Distance 214 km |
Average train duration 3h 33m |
Cheapest ticket price £54 |
Trains per day 10 |
Fastest train 4h 12m |
First train 01:09 |
Last train 22:47 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, SNCB from Charleroi to Essen trainsDeutsche Bahn, SNCB trains will get you between Charleroi and Essen from £8. 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
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available near the station with access from Rue de la Digue.
- Restaurant Le Pain Quotidien
- La Table de la Manufacture Urbaine
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- €0.50
- Leonardo Hotel Charleroi City Center
- Ibis Charleroi Centre Gare
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-2 for regional trains
- Hall 2: ticket office and waiting area
- Bus: Several lines available
- Metro: Line M1
- 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
- Bootshaus Ruhreck
- Da Vinici
- Asia-Nudeln
- Bacchos
- Zur Guten Quelle
- Hotel Töff-Töff
- Budike
- Bollywood Express - Pizza & More
- Haus Wilmes
- Mana Mana
- Karawane
- Webers
Most popular train connections from Charleroi
More options for your journey from Charleroi to Essen
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