- Must visit
Museum Folkwang
Major art museum with strong 19th- and 20th-century collections, posters and photography. A leading cultural stop in central Essen.
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Dortmund to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Dortmund to Essen will cost around £35 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £35.
On Sun 01 Nov, we found 4 trains from Dortmund to Essen, including 4 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 32 km distance in an average of 28 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 22 m .
The slowest trains will take 42 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.
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Trains from Dortmund to Essen run on average 5 times per day, taking around 24m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £3 if you book in advance.
There are 5 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 32 km distance in 18m.
Distance 32 km |
Average train duration 24m |
Cheapest ticket price £3 |
Trains per day 5 |
Direct trains 5 |
Fastest train 18m |
First train 0:01 |
Last train 23:56 |
Cheapest Month Sept |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 14 days |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Dortmund to Essen.
The table below shows live departures for Dortmund to Essen trains for tomorrow, Sunday 1 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
89710 | 8:07 Dortmund Hbf | 0h23 | 8:30 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
26706 | 8:21 Dortmund Hbf | 0h24 | 8:45 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
S1 | 8:23 Dortmund Hbf | 0h42 | 9:05 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
26810 | 8:45 Dortmund Hbf | 0h22 | 9:07 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey

Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of Essen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Essen trip today.
Major art museum with strong 19th- and 20th-century collections, posters and photography. A leading cultural stop in central Essen.
Industrial history museum in the former boiler house at Zollverein. Engaging displays explain coal, steel and daily life across the Ruhr.
Design museum inside the Zollverein complex, showing contemporary design, everyday objects and changing exhibitions in a dramatic industrial setting.
Large lake south of the centre, popular for walks, boat trips and cycling. It combines water views, leisure activities and green surroundings.
Former industrial complex turned cultural district with open spaces, architecture, art and walking routes. It is one of Essen’s essential urban experiences.
Extensive park with lawns, sculptures and event spaces near Museum Folkwang. It is ideal for a central stroll and relaxed city views.
A hearty potato stew from the Ruhr area, traditionally cooked with beef, onions and vegetables. It is a classic working-class comfort dish in Essen.
Mashed potatoes mixed with apples and onions, often served with black pudding or sausage. It is a well-known Rhineland and Ruhr comfort meal.
Pickled herring fillets in a sour marinade, often served with potatoes. This classic northern and western German fish dish is common in the Ruhr.
Elegant fine dining in Essen known for creative modern cooking and polished service in a calm, contemporary setting.
Long-established local favourite for classic German and Ruhr-style fare, with a cosy pub feel and straightforward cooking.
Traditional brewery restaurant serving hearty regional German dishes and fresh beer in a lively, rustic atmosphere.
Moderate for Germany. Hotels and dining are often slightly cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt, while local transport and everyday costs stay fairly manageable for visitors.
Service is usually not included. In restaurants, round up or tip about 5-10%. For taxis, round up the fare. In cafés, small change or rounding up is customary.
Official public transport app
Essen Hbf -> Essen Hbf
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Essen.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Dortmund 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.

Most Dortmund to Essen trains use the Dortmund Hbf to Essen Hbf station pair, with some services arriving at Essen-Steele Ost. Use this guide to compare Dortmund and Essen train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Dortmund 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 options include: Subway, Caliente, Ong Bui Asia Fusion, Kleimann
Wi-Fi is available at Dortmund Hbf. ATMs are available at Dortmund Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Dortmund Hbf. Information desks are available at Dortmund Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Dortmund Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dortmund Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Dortmund Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dortmund Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Cityhotel Dortmund, Esplanade, Drei Kronen, Hotel Unique Novum.
Dortmund Signal Iduna Park is 2 km from Dortmund city centre. Public transport options include:
Dortmund Signal Iduna Park has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Strobels, Rosenterassen
Wi-Fi is available at Dortmund Signal Iduna Park. ATMs are available at Dortmund Signal Iduna Park.
Ticket office support is available at Dortmund Signal Iduna Park. Information desks are available at Dortmund Signal Iduna Park.
Luggage storage is available at Dortmund Signal Iduna Park. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dortmund Signal Iduna Park: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Dortmund Signal Iduna Park: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dortmund Signal Iduna Park.
Dortmund-Germania is 7 km from Dortmund city centre. Public transport options include:
Dortmund-Germania has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Óla Kalá, Imbiss Futterluke, Pizzeria Puzzle, Side Döner
Wi-Fi is available at Dortmund-Germania. ATMs are available at Dortmund-Germania.
Ticket office support is available at Dortmund-Germania. Information desks are available at Dortmund-Germania.
Luggage storage is available at Dortmund-Germania. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dortmund-Germania: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Dortmund-Germania: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dortmund-Germania.
Essen 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 options include: Bollywood Express - Pizza & More, Kiepenkerl, Cafe Extrablatt, Tacos
Wi-Fi is available at Essen Hbf. ATMs are available at Essen Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Essen Hbf. Information desks are available at Essen Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Essen Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Essen Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Essen Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Ambassador, Gästearpartment Dahl, WG-Hotel im Unperfekthaus, Motel One.
Essen-Steele Ost is 5 km from Essen city centre. Public transport options include:
Essen-Steele Ost has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Bootshaus Ruhreck, Bacchos, Döner, Eiscafe Kemmerling
Wi-Fi is available at Essen-Steele Ost. ATMs are available at Essen-Steele Ost.
Ticket office support is available at Essen-Steele Ost. Information desks are available at Essen-Steele Ost.
Luggage storage is available at Essen-Steele Ost. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Essen-Steele Ost: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Essen-Steele Ost: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen-Steele Ost.
Essen-Steele is 4 km from Essen city centre. Public transport options include:
Essen-Steele 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 options include: Bootshaus Ruhreck, Da Vinici, Asia-Nudeln, Bacchos
Wi-Fi is available at Essen-Steele. ATMs are available at Essen-Steele.
Ticket office support is available at Essen-Steele. Information desks are available at Essen-Steele.
Luggage storage is available at Essen-Steele. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Essen-Steele: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Essen-Steele: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen-Steele.
Nearby hotels include Zur Guten Quelle, Hotel Töff-Töff, Budike.
Check train stations information for Dortmund and Essen, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.
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