- Must visit
Magritte Museum
Compact museum dedicated to René Magritte, presenting paintings, archives and context for Belgium’s celebrated Surrealist artist.
Cheapest price on 17 Sept
£45
Average ticket price on 17 Sept
£74
Fastest journey on 17 Sept
3 h 27 m
Average journey duration on 17 Sept
3 h 27 m
Trains on 17 Sept
10
Distance
198 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Essen to Brussels is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Brussels will cost around £74 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £45.
To travel from Essen to Brussels you need to make at least 2 changes.
S9 · ICE 513+
400
28072 · ICE 913 · 17405+
400
28074 · 26410 · 18926 · IC 534
S6 · 28519 · ICE 310 · IC 3637
S6 · 28517 · ICE 314
S6 · 28509 · ICE 316
S6 · 28513 · ICE 16
S6 · 28517 · ICE 314
S6 · 28521 · ICE 14
S6 · 28525 · ICE 12Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Essen to Brussels among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £19 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 43m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £19, while a flight costs an average of £192.
Distance: 198 km
| Train | Most popular Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£60 Average Price | £19 Average Price Cheapest | £192 Average Price | £35 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 43m Average total duration Fastest 3h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 35m Average total duration 4h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 40m Average total duration 4h 40m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 2h 53m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | 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 Essen to Brussels:
A coach is £41 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Brussels costing on average £60.
A coach is £173 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Essen to Brussels costing on average £192.
Other travel options to Brussels take longer:
Coach takes on average 4h 5m.
Flight takes on average 4h 40m.
Tickets start at around £60 compared to roughly £35 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-25.55. The journey takes 3h 13m versus 2h 53m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Essen to Brussels trains for tomorrow, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S6 · 28505 · ICE 18 | On time 6:08 Essen Hbf | 3h27 | 9:35 Brussels-Midi | 2 changes | |
28072 · ICE 913 · 17405+ 400 | 6:19 Essen Hbf | 5h09 | 11:28 Brussels-Midi | 3 changes | |
S9 · ICE 513+ 400 | 6:20 Essen Hbf | 5h08 | 11:28 Brussels-Midi | 2 changes | |
S6 · 28509 · ICE 316 | On time 8:08 Essen Hbf | 3h27 | 11:35 Brussels-Midi | 2 changes | |
28074 · 26410 · 18926 · IC 534 | 8:39 Essen Hbf | 4h24 | 13:03 Brussels-Midi | 3 changes | |
S6 · 28513 · ICE 16 | On time 10:08 Essen Hbf | 3h27 | 13:35 Brussels-Midi | 2 changes | |
S6 · 28517 · ICE 314 | On time 12:08 Essen Hbf | 3h27 | 15:35 Brussels-Midi | 2 changes | |
S6 · 28519 · ICE 310 · IC 3637 | 13:08 Essen Hbf | 3h40 | 16:48 Brussels-Midi | 3 changes | |
S6 · 28521 · ICE 14 | On time 14:08 Essen Hbf | 3h27 | 17:35 Brussels-Midi | 2 changes | |
S6 · 28525 · ICE 12 | On time 16:08 Essen Hbf | 3h27 | 19:35 Brussels-Midi | 2 changes | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach, train 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.
Trains from Essen to Brussels run on average 7 times per day, taking around 3h 13m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £22 but you can travel from only £13 by coach.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:19, the last at 22:56. The fastest train covers the 198 km distance in 2h 54m.
Distance 198 km |
Average train duration 3h 13m |
Cheapest ticket price £22 |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 2h 54m |
First train 0:19 |
Last train 22:56 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Brussels — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Brussels trip today.
Compact museum dedicated to René Magritte, presenting paintings, archives and context for Belgium’s celebrated Surrealist artist.
Major fine arts museum with Flemish, Belgian and European works, ideal for tracing artistic developments across centuries.
Art Nouveau house designed by Victor Horta, offering an intimate look at architecture, interiors and decorative detail.
Historic square packed with ornate façades, seasonal events and evening illumination; a natural starting point for exploring the centre.
A characterful shopping arcade with glass roof, elegant details and a classic route for a refined walk in the centre.
Landscaped hill with gardens, fountains and one of Brussels’ most rewarding skyline views near the upper town museums.
Moules-frites pairs North Sea mussels with crisp chips. It is a Brussels brasserie classic, especially popular in cooler months.
Stoemp is mashed potatoes mixed with seasonal vegetables, often served with sausage or bacon. It is a comforting Brussels staple.
Carbonnade flamande is a slow-cooked beef and onion stew made with Belgian beer. It is a beloved hearty dish in Brussels cafés.
Refined Belgian dining in the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, known for well-presented regional dishes and a polished atmosphere.
Traditional restaurant famed for mussels, oysters and other Belgian seafood dishes in a lively, classic brasserie setting.
Long-running brasserie serving stoemp, carbonnade and other Belgian staples in an elegant Art Nouveau-inspired dining room.
Moderate for Western Europe: hotels and restaurants are not cheap, but public transport is reasonable and budget eats are easy to find.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for excellent restaurant service. Taxis are often rounded up. Small change is appreciated in cafés, but not expected.
Official public transport app
Brussels-Midi -> Grand-Place, Brussels
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Brussels 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 Brussels, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Essen to Brussels trains use the Essen Hbf to Bruxelles-Midi station pair, with some services arriving at Bruxelles-Central. Use this guide to compare Essen and Brussels train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
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-Altenessen is 3 km from Essen city centre. Public transport options include:
Essen-Altenessen 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: Burger King, Werner, Bückmannsmühle, Muckel-Eis
Wi-Fi is available at Essen-Altenessen. ATMs are available at Essen-Altenessen.
Ticket office support is available at Essen-Altenessen. Information desks are available at Essen-Altenessen.
Luggage storage is available at Essen-Altenessen. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Essen-Altenessen: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Essen-Altenessen: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen-Altenessen.
Bruxelles-Midi has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Pullman Hotel Bar, Quick Gare du Midi, Subway, EXKi Zuid, Starbucks, Häagen-Dazs, Sbarro, The Coffee Club, The Belgian Chocolate House, PAUL, & many more
Wi-Fi is available for a fee. ATMs are available at Bruxelles-Midi.
Ticket office support is available at Bruxelles-Midi. Information desks are located in the main concourse and next to the international platforms.
Luggage storage is baggage storage facility is located across from the Thalys business lounge.
Available at Bruxelles-Midi: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bruxelles-Midi: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bruxelles-Midi: Station has a wide range of facilities for passengers with reduced mobility: elevators and escalators to all platforms, wheelchair lifts and mobile ramps, disabled toilet and parking spaces. Additional assistance can be contacted via the SNCB Mobility Call Center.
Nearby hotels include Les Lofts De Styliste, Park Inn by Radisson Brussels Midi, Pullman Brussels Centre Midi.
Bruxelles-Central has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Starbucks, Brasserie 28 Brewery, Panos, Delitraiteur Eat & Go
Free Wi-Fi available in Starbucks. ATMs are aTM machine is downstairs from the main entrance on the right side.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 06:15 - 22:00. Information desks are travel Center / information desk is located on the left side from the main entrance.
Luggage storage is luggage lockers are located on Level 0 near Platforms 1 and 2.
Available at Bruxelles-Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bruxelles-Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bruxelles-Central: Station has a wide range of facilities for passengers with limited mobility: elevators and escalators to platforms, wheelchair lifts and mobile ramps, barrier-free toilets and accessible parking spaces. Additional assistance can be contacted via the SNCB Mobility Call Center.
Nearby hotels include Hilton Brussels Grand Palace, Hotel NH Brussels Carrefour de l'Europe, Hôtel The Moon.
Brussels-Nord is 1 km from Brussels city centre. Public transport options include:
Brussels-Nord has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Chabrol Brasserie, Winok Café, Félix Wine Bar
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Brussels-Nord. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Brussels-Nord. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Brussels-Nord: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Brussels-Nord: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Brussels-Nord: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Progress, Hilton Brussels City, Hotel Siru.
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