The cheapest and fastest trains from Cologne to Essen
Cheapest price
£6
Average price
£8
Fastest journey
46 m
Average duration
48 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
58 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Essen will cost around £8 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £6.
Of the 5 trains that leave Cologne for Essen every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 58 km distance in an average of 48 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 46 m .
The slowest trains will take 52 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.
5:511h01Cologne6:52Essen£61One-way0 changes
15:140h48Cologne16:02Essen£71One-way0 changes
15:011h02Cologne16:03Essen£71One-way0 changes
15:160h46Cologne16:02Essen£81One-way0 changes
11:140h48Cologne12:02Essen£91One-way0 changes
15:160h46Cologne16:02Essen£81One-way0 changes
21:110h47Cologne21:58Essen£261One-way0 changes
15:140h48Cologne16:02Essen£71One-way0 changes
11:140h48Cologne12:02Essen£91One-way0 changes
8:010h52Cologne8:53Essen£171One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Cologne to Essen
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £3. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 56m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £3, and a train costs an average of £5.
Distance: 58 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£14 Average Price | £5 Average Price Cheapest |
1h 26m Average total duration Fastest 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 0m Average total duration 1h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Cologne to Essen train times
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Essen trains for today, Sunday 12 April. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 614 | Delayed 8:15 8:11Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 9:03 9:03Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 547 | On time 8:24 Cologne Hbf | 0h54 | 9:18 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
28512 · 10215 | 8:31 Cologne Hbf | 1h06 | 9:37 Essen Hbf | 1 change | |
26815 | 8:49 Cologne Hbf | 1h01 | 9:50 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixTrain | 8:52 Cologne Hbf | 1h01 | 9:53 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 202 | On time 9:11 Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 9:58 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 849 | On time 9:28 Cologne Hbf | 0h52 | 10:20 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 1053 | On time 9:38 Cologne Hbf | 0h53 | 10:31 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
26817 | 9:49 Cologne Hbf | 1h01 | 10:50 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 612 | On time 10:11 Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 10:58 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixTrain | 10:14 Cologne Hbf | 0h49 | 11:03 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 549 | On time 10:26 Cologne Hbf | 0h52 | 11:18 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 1032 | On time 10:45 Cologne Hbf | 0h48 | 11:33 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
26819 | 10:49 Cologne Hbf | 1h01 | 11:50 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 200 | On time 11:11 Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 11:58 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 941 | On time 11:27 Cologne Hbf | 0h53 | 12:20 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
28518 · 10221 | 11:31 Cologne Hbf | 1h06 | 12:37 Essen Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 1549 | On time 11:34 Cologne Hbf | 1h09 | 12:43 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
26821 | 11:50 Cologne Hbf | 1h00 | 12:50 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 610 | On time 12:11 Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 12:58 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 641 | On time 12:26 Cologne Hbf | 0h52 | 13:18 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
28520 · 10223 | 12:31 Cologne Hbf | 1h06 | 13:37 Essen Hbf | 1 change | |
26823 | 12:49 Cologne Hbf | 1h01 | 13:50 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 108 | On time 13:11 Cologne Hbf | 0h47 | 13:58 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixTrain | 14:14 Cologne Hbf | 0h48 | 15:02 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixTrain | 15:01 Cologne Hbf | 0h52 | 15:53 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
| Monday 13 April | |||||
![]() | 5:51 Cologne | 1h01 | 6:52 Essen | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cologne to Essen by train or coach
Compare train and coach 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.
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Why should you book Cologne 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 FlixTrain or Eurostar to find the best option for your trip from Cologne 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 and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cologne to Essen.
Why book with Omio over Trainline, Wanderu or Rome2rio?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of FlixTrain or Eurostar to find the best option for your trip from Cologne to Essen.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Cologne to Essen.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Cologne to Essen?
ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Cologne to Essen

Journey information
Overview: Train from Cologne to Essen
Trains from Cologne to Essen run on average 13 times per day, taking around 56m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £5 but you can travel from only £3 by coach.
There are 9 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:57. The fastest train covers the 58 km distance in 45m.
Distance 58 km |
Average train duration 56m |
Cheapest ticket price £5 |
Trains per day 13 |
Direct trains 9 |
Fastest train 45m |
First train 0:01 |
Last train 23:57 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Eurostar from Cologne to Essen trainsDeutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Eurostar trains will get you between Cologne and Essen from £3. 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.
FlixTrain
Eurostar
FAQs: Cologne to Essen train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne 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 Cologne and Essen
- Mon - Fri: 06:00 - 21:00
- Sat - Sun: 07:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only.
- There are luggage lockers in the station.
- asiagourmet
- Coffee Fellows
- dean&david
- Dunkin' Donuts
- KFC
- McDonald's
- Pizza Hut
- Nordsee
- Starbucks
- Schweinske
- & more
- Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
- Wyndham Koeln
- Hilton Cologne
- Excelsior Hotel Ernst
- One near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5.
- Mon - Fri: 06:00 - 21:00
- Sat - Sun: 07:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only.
- There are luggage lockers in the station.
- asiagourmet
- Coffee Fellows
- dean&david
- Dunkin' Donuts
- KFC
- McDonald's
- Pizza Hut
- Nordsee
- Starbucks
- Schweinske
- & more
- Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
- Wyndham Koeln
- Hilton Cologne
- Excelsior Hotel Ernst
- One near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5.
- Monday: 06:00 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Thursday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Saturday: 08:00 - 17:00
- Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00
- Imbiss Athena
- Arena Grill
- Cafe Especial
- Joe Champs
- Pension Helenenwall
- Zur guten Quelle
- Zum Goldenen Hut
- Merlin
- 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
- Pizzeria Don Camillo
- Lindos
- Zur Platte
- Arman Döner
- McDreams
- Bollywood Express - Pizza & More
- Haus Wilmes
- Mana Mana
- Karawane
- Webers
More options for your journey from Cologne to Essen
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