Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf train with Deutsche Bahn (ICE,IC,RE)

Sat 31 Oct
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Deutsche Bahn
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Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
Regionale
2,000+ travel companies
Deutsche Bahn
FlixTrain
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
Regionale
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 31 Oct
Cheapest price on 31 Oct
£7
Average ticket price on 31 Oct
£19
Fastest journey on 31 Oct
48 m
Average journey duration on 31 Oct
52 m
Trains on 31 Oct
17
Distance
57 km
Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf will cost around £19 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £7.

Fast trains

On Sat 31 Oct, we found 17 trains from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf, including 9 direct services.

These direct trains cover the 57 km distance in an average of 52 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 48 m .

The slowest trains will take 1 h 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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  • Deutsche Bahn10931 · ICE 912
    1 change

Journey information

Overview: Train from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf

GermanyGermany
GermanyGermany
Icon of train

Trains from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf run on average 11 times per day, taking around 57m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £4 but you can travel from only £4 by coach.

There are 7 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:12, the last at 22:50. The fastest train covers the 57 km distance in 44m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £4
Distance
57 km
Average train duration
57m
Cheapest ticket price
£4
Trains per day
11
Direct trains
7
Fastest train
44m
First train
0:12
Last train
22:50
Cheapest Month
Aug
Cheapest Day
Thu
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Sun
Least Busy Day
Thu
Best time to book
21 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £4

Frequently asked questions about your Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf trip

Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf.

The cost of a train ticket from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £4, while the average price tends to be around £22.
The train journey from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf covers a distance of 57 km and takes approximately 44m. Trains run 11 per day.
The train distance from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf is 57 km.
The first train from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf leaves at 0:12.
The last train from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf departs at 22:50.
Trains from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf run approximately 11 times per day.
Yes, there is a direct train between Cologne Hbf and Essen Hbf. The service operates 7 times per day, provided by Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain.

Live departures

Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf train times

The table below shows live departures for Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf trains for today, Friday 30 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Deutsche BahnICE 543 · S66:13 Cologne Hbf
1h19
7:32 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn20993 · 302956:25 Cologne Hbf
1h22
7:47 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn28504 · S66:31 Cologne Hbf
1h21
7:52 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 553 · S9
On time
6:45 Cologne Hbf
1h25
8:10 Essen Hbf		1 change
Deutsche Bahn26807 · S66:49 Cologne Hbf
1h23
8:12 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn17318 · 302998:25 Cologne Hbf
1h22
9:47 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn28508 · S68:31 Cologne Hbf
1h21
9:52 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 555 · S9
On time
8:44 Cologne Hbf
1h26
10:10 Essen Hbf		1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 220 · S68:49 Cologne Hbf
1h23
10:12 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche BahnS11 · ICE 822 · S69:07 Cologne Hbf
1h25
10:32 Essen Hbf2 changes
Deutsche Bahn17322 · 303919:25 Cologne Hbf
1h22
10:47 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn28510 · S69:31 Cologne Hbf
1h21
10:52 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche BahnIC 2204 · S2
On time
9:41 Cologne Hbf
1h26
11:07 Essen Hbf		1 change
Deutsche Bahn26813 · S69:49 Cologne Hbf
1h23
11:12 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 1122 · S610:07 Cologne Hbf
1h25
11:32 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 1922 · S610:07 Cologne Hbf
1h25
11:32 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 614 · S910:11 Cologne Hbf
1h29
11:40 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn17326 · 3039310:25 Cologne Hbf
1h22
11:47 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn28512 · S610:31 Cologne Hbf
1h21
11:52 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 557 · S9
On time
10:44 Cologne Hbf
1h26
12:10 Essen Hbf		1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 128 · S6
On time
10:49 Cologne Hbf
1h23
12:12 Essen Hbf		1 change
Deutsche Bahn17328 · S910:52 Cologne Hbf
1h48
12:40 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche BahnS11 · ICE 728 · S611:07 Cologne Hbf
1h25
12:32 Essen Hbf2 changes
Deutsche Bahn17330 · 3039511:25 Cologne Hbf
1h22
12:47 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn28514 · S611:31 Cologne Hbf
1h21
12:52 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche BahnIC 2202 · S2
On time
11:33 Cologne Hbf
1h34
13:07 Essen Hbf		1 change
Deutsche Bahn26817 · S611:49 Cologne Hbf
1h23
13:12 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn17334 · 3039712:25 Cologne Hbf
1h22
13:47 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn28516 · S612:31 Cologne Hbf
1h21
13:52 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 559 · S9
On time
12:44 Cologne Hbf
1h26
14:10 Essen Hbf		1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 126 · S6
On time
12:49 Cologne Hbf
1h23
14:12 Essen Hbf		1 change
Deutsche Bahn17336 · S912:52 Cologne Hbf
1h48
14:40 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche BahnS11 · ICE 724 · S613:07 Cologne Hbf
1h25
14:32 Essen Hbf2 changes
Deutsche Bahn17338 · 3039913:25 Cologne Hbf
1h22
14:47 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn28518 · S613:31 Cologne Hbf
1h21
14:52 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche BahnIC 2200 · S2
On time
13:41 Cologne Hbf
1h26
15:07 Essen Hbf		1 change
Deutsche Bahn26821 · S613:49 Cologne Hbf
1h23
15:12 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche BahnS11 · ICE 722 · S614:07 Cologne Hbf
1h25
15:32 Essen Hbf2 changes
Deutsche BahnICE 610 · S914:11 Cologne Hbf
1h29
15:40 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn17342 · 3099114:25 Cologne Hbf
1h22
15:47 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn28520 · S614:31 Cologne Hbf
1h21
15:52 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn17350 · 3099516:25 Cologne Hbf
1h22
17:47 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn28524 · S616:31 Cologne Hbf
1h21
17:52 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche BahnICE 653 · S9
On time
16:44 Cologne Hbf
1h26
18:10 Essen Hbf		1 change
Deutsche BahnS11 · ICE 622
On time
19:07 Cologne Hbf
1h25
20:32 Essen Hbf		1 change
Deutsche Bahn17362 · S919:25 Cologne Hbf
1h45
21:10 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn28530 · Bus RE1 · S319:31 Cologne Hbf
1h34
21:05 Essen Hbf2 changes
Deutsche Bahn26833 · S619:49 Cologne Hbf
1h23
21:12 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn8973720:07 Cologne Hbf
1h20
21:27 Essen Hbf0 changesdirect
Deutsche Bahn28532 · 1023520:31 Cologne Hbf
1h06
21:37 Essen Hbf1 change
Deutsche Bahn2683520:49 Cologne Hbf
1h01
21:50 Essen Hbf0 changesdirect
Deutsche Bahn2683721:49 Cologne Hbf
1h01
22:50 Essen Hbf0 changesdirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Why should you book Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf trains with Omio?

Deutsche Bahn as well as FlixTrain offer trains services from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf.

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 FlixTrain to find the best option for your trip from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf.
  • 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 and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf.

Why book with Omio over Trainline or Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf.

ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf

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The customer opinion was acquired via Cimenio. Cimenio incentivises its users for giving an honest opinion and proving the booking with a photo of the travel ticket.
Advantages
IconFlexible
IconCheap
Disadvantages
IconSlow
IconUtilised
The ticket price is quite reasonable if you have several passengers. As there are many trains between Cologne and Essen, you don't have to wait long for the next train. It is also possible to travel from Essen to Cologne at night. However, the train does not run as frequently then.
Advantages
IconPunctual
We arrived at our destination station Essen Hauptbahnhof on time. The seats were comfortable and the train staff were nice to us. The train was clean and the toilet was also very well cleaned. Power sockets were available, as was wifi. All in all, there is nothing to complain about.

Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf trainsDeutsche Bahn, FlixTrain trains will get you between Cologne Hbf and Essen Hbf from £4. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Deutsche Bahn

About
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany’s main train operator, running around 40,000 domestic and international services each day. Its fleet includes a variety of train types: high-speed ICE (Intercity Express) trains, reaching up to 300 km/h; IC (Intercity) and EC (EuroCity) trains for long-distance travel; and IRE (Interregio-Express), RE (Regional Express), and RB (Regionalbahn) services for regional and local connections. While bathrooms are standard on all trains, amenities such as onboard restaurants and free Wi-Fi are available only on certain train types and routes. DB offers a wide range of fares, including Super Saver, Saver, and Flexible tickets, along with discount cards like the BahnCard 25, 50, and 100. Additional options include single tickets, day tickets, and group tickets. Popular routes include Berlin–Munich, Hamburg–Frankfurt, Cologne–Stuttgart, Berlin–Dresden, and Hamburg–Cologne, as well as numerous regional services across Germany.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Deutsche Bahn Duration
44m
Cheapest Deutsche Bahn Price
£6
Deutsche Bahn frequency
9 a day
Luggage included
Passengers are allowed to bring hand luggage and one additional larger item free of charge, provided they can carry it themselves
Luggage storage
Luggage can be stored in overhead racks, under the seat, or in designated luggage areas near the doors or in the middle of the carriage.
Cancellation Policy
Tickets can be canceled based on their fare conditions as mentioned in what type of train tickets are refundable?
Refund
If DB cancels a train, passengers are entitled to a full refund of the ticket price.
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Most ICE and many IC/EC trains have:
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.
Seat reservation
Second Class:
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.
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
DB trains are equipped with facilities for passengers with reduced mobility, including wheelchair spaces, accessible restrooms, and assistance services.
Pets
Small pets (e.g. cats, small dogs, etc.):
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.
Quiet zone
Learn more about Deutsche Bahn

FlixTrain

About
FlixTrain is a German railway company owned by FlixMobility, the parent company of FlixBus. Since 2018, it has connected major German cities such as Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, Berlin, and Frankfurt, and also operates routes in Sweden, including Stockholm to Gothenburg. All FlixTrain services run on 100% renewable energy. Onboard facilities include air conditioning, toilets, USB ports, power outlets, generous legroom, and free Wi-Fi on most trains. Food and drinks are available, and every ticket guarantees a seat. Passengers can bring luggage free of charge, provided it fits in the racks. Popular German routes include Berlin–Hamburg, Frankfurt–Stuttgart, and Cologne–Hamburg, offering a sustainable and comfortable way to travel
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average FlixTrain Duration
47m
Cheapest FlixTrain Price
£4
FlixTrain frequency
3 a day
Luggage included
1 piece of hand luggage (max 7kg) and 1 piece of luggage (max 20kg)
Luggage storage
Overhead racks and designated luggage areas
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation possible according to ticket type conditions
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled by operator
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Snacks and drinks available for purchase from onboard service
Seat reservation
Seat reservation included in ticket price
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets available
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed free, larger dogs require paid ticket and muzzle
Quiet zone

Companies, tickets, and onboard amenities between Cologne Hbf and Essen Hbf

Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.

Yes, there is a night train from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf.

FAQs: Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf 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 Hbf, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Booking trains from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
Yes, you can take the train from Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Cologne Hbf and Essen Hbf

Most Cologne Hbf to Essen Hbf trains use the Köln Hbf to Essen Hbf station pair. Use this guide to compare Cologne Hbf and Essen Hbf train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Cologne
Arrival train stations in Essen
Köln HbfTrankgasse 11, 50667 Cologne, GermanyWifiLockersShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Köln Hbf from Cologne city centre

Köln Hbf is 1 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainRb26 · 16m · £7 · every ~3 min
BusIvano-Frankivsk · 20m
Subway16 · 46m · £5 · every ~9 min
18, 16 · 51m · £5 · every ~14 min

Köln Hbf train station facilities and services

Köln 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 and drink

Food options include: asiagourmet, Coffee Fellows, dean&david, Dunkin' Donuts, KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Nordsee, Starbucks, Schweinske, & more

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only. ATMs are available at Köln Hbf.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Köln Hbf. Information desks are one near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5.

Luggage and lost property

Luggage storage is there are luggage lockers in the station. Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Köln Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Köln Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Köln Hbf: Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Wyndham Koeln, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst.

More about Köln Hbf

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HomeTrainsTrains in GermanyCologne Hbf to Essen Hbf train

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