- Must visit
Museum Folkwang
Major art museum with strong 19th- and 20th-century collections, posters and photography. A leading cultural stop in central Essen.
Cheapest price on 05 Sept
£17
Average ticket price on 05 Sept
£17
Fastest journey on 05 Sept
43 m
Average journey duration on 05 Sept
43 m
Trains on 05 Sept
1
Distance
17 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Duisburg to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Duisburg to Essen will cost around £17 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £17.
To travel from Duisburg to Essen you need to make at least one change.
IC 2206 · S2
IC 2206 · S2Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Duisburg to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £4 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 42m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.0kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £4, while a coach costs an average of £15.
Distance: 17 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£4 Average Price Cheapest | £15 Average Price | £3 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
42m Average total duration Fastest 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 57m Average total duration 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 26m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Duisburg to Essen:
A train is £11 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Duisburg to Essen costing on average £15.
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Coach takes on average 27m.
You'll arrive about 14m sooner (12m by train vs 26m by car). Tickets start at around £4 compared to roughly £3 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Direct services run with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Deutsche Bahn Regio (DB Regional).
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Duisburg to Essen trains for today, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixTrain | 15:41 Duisburg Hbf | 0h12 | 15:53 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixTrain | 16:51 Duisburg Hbf | 0h11 | 17:02 Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
| Saturday 5 September | |||||
IC 2206 · S2 | On time 8:24 Duisburg Hbf | 0h43 | 9:07 Essen Hbf | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach and train 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.

Trains from Duisburg to Essen run on average 5 times per day, taking around 12m. 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 23:52. The fastest train covers the 17 km distance in 11m.
Distance 17 km |
Average train duration 12m |
Cheapest ticket price £3 |
Trains per day 5 |
Direct trains 5 |
Fastest train 11m |
First train 0:01 |
Last train 23:52 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 1 day |
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
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Duisburg 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 Duisburg to Essen trains use the Duisburg Hbf to Essen Hbf station pair, with some services arriving at Essen Süd. Use this guide to compare Duisburg and Essen train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Duisburg 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: Bellagio, Restaurant Mediteran, Café Dobbelstein, Da Roberto
Wi-Fi is available at Duisburg Hbf. ATMs are available at Duisburg Hbf.
Ticket office support is available at Duisburg Hbf. Information desks are available at Duisburg Hbf.
Luggage storage is available at Duisburg Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Duisburg Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Duisburg Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Duisburg Hbf.
Nearby hotels include Ibis, Plaza, Mercure, Hotel Goldener Hahn.
Rheinhausen is 5 km from Duisburg city centre. Public transport options include:
Rheinhausen 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: Arcadas Grill, Mykonos Grill Pizzeria, Eis-Café Romeo, Tor 6
Wi-Fi is available at Rheinhausen. ATMs are available at Rheinhausen.
Ticket office support is available at Rheinhausen. Information desks are available at Rheinhausen.
Luggage storage is available at Rheinhausen. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Rheinhausen: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Rheinhausen: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Rheinhausen.
Nearby hotels include Belweder.
Duisburg-Buchholz is 5 km from Duisburg city centre. Public transport options include:
Duisburg-Buchholz 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: Eiscafe deNard, Pizzeria Presto, Imbiss Zilan, Ristorante Pinocchio
Wi-Fi is available at Duisburg-Buchholz. ATMs are available at Duisburg-Buchholz.
Ticket office support is available at Duisburg-Buchholz. Information desks are available at Duisburg-Buchholz.
Luggage storage is available at Duisburg-Buchholz. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Duisburg-Buchholz: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Duisburg-Buchholz: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Duisburg-Buchholz.
Nearby hotels include Haus Scheuten Hotel.
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 Süd is 1 km from Essen city centre. Public transport options include:
Essen Süd 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, Haus Wilmes, Mana Mana, Karawane
Wi-Fi is available at Essen Süd. ATMs are available at Essen Süd.
Ticket office support is available at Essen Süd. Information desks are available at Essen Süd.
Luggage storage is available at Essen Süd. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Essen Süd: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Essen Süd: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen Süd.
Nearby hotels include Webers.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need