1st Class
- Power plugs
- Wide seats
- Extra legroom
- Quiet zone
- WC
Cheapest price on 05 Sept
£16
Average ticket price on 05 Sept
£16
Fastest journey on 05 Sept
23 m
Average journey duration on 05 Sept
24 m
Trains on 05 Sept
2
Distance
32 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Essen to Dortmund is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Dortmund will cost around £16 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £16.
On Sat 05 Sept, we found 2 trains from Essen to Dortmund, including 2 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 32 km distance in an average of 24 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 23 m .
The slowest trains will take 25 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.
ICE 1545
ICE 1543
ICE 1543
ICE 1545Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Essen to Dortmund among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £6 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 54m. 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 £6, while a coach costs an average of £6.
Distance: 32 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£6 Average Price Cheapest | £6 Average Price | £6 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
54m Average total duration Fastest 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 58m Average total duration 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 40m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.0 - 0.1kg 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 Essen to Dortmund:
A train is £0.66 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Essen to Dortmund costing on average £6.
Other travel options to Dortmund take longer:
Coach takes on average 28m.
The journey is about 16m faster (24m by train vs 40m by car) and roughly £0.11 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£6 vs £6). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn Regio (DB Regional).
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Essen to Dortmund trains for tomorrow, Saturday 5 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 1543 | On time 6:44 Essen Hbf | 0h23 | 7:07 Dortmund Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 1545 | On time 8:44 Essen Hbf | 0h25 | 9:09 Dortmund Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.

Trains from Essen to Dortmund run on average 6 times per day, taking around 24m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £3 if you book in advance.
There are 6 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:04, the last at 23:50. The fastest train covers the 32 km distance in 20m.
Distance 32 km |
Average train duration 24m |
Cheapest ticket price £3 |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 6 |
Fastest train 20m |
First train 0:04 |
Last train 23:50 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 1 day |
Compare Deutsche Bahn classes and the amenities included in each one.
Compare Eurostar classes and the amenities included in each one.



Discover the best of Dortmund — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Dortmund trip today.
Major museum for 20th- and 21st-century art in the Dortmunder U, with changing exhibitions and city views from the upper floors.
Interactive football museum beside the main station, covering German football history with media installations and trophies.
Museum at Zollern Colliery presenting Ruhr industrial history in a striking Art Nouveau machine hall and heritage complex.
Large urban lake with promenades, boat hire and skyline views; popular for walks, cycling and waterside relaxation.
Green park with themed gardens, mature trees and one of Germany’s notable botanical collections, ideal for a quiet stroll.
Central square framed by historic façades and busy streets, useful as a starting point for exploring the old city centre.
A dark, top-fermented beer from Dortmund, long tied to the city’s brewing heritage. It is smoother and less bitter than Pils, and a classic local drink.
A hearty potato stew from Westphalia, traditionally cooked with vegetables and sausage or bacon. It is valued as comforting regional home cooking.
A classic Westphalian dish of rye bread topped with ham, pickles and sometimes egg. It reflects the region’s rye bread and cured meat traditions.
Traditional brewery restaurant serving Dortmund classics, beer and hearty regional dishes in a lively, historic setting.
Established German restaurant known for generous regional cooking, seasonal dishes and a warm, traditional atmosphere.
Casual local venue popular for currywurst, schnitzel and Ruhrgebiet comfort food in an unfussy setting.
Moderate for Germany: hotels and dining are usually cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt, while public transport and everyday costs stay fairly manageable for visitors.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave about 5-10% in restaurants, round up taxi fares, and leave small change in cafés for good service.
Official public transport app
Dortmund Hbf -> Platz der Deutschen Einheit, Dortmund
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Dortmund 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 Dortmund, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Essen to Dortmund trains use the Essen Hbf to Dortmund Hbf station pair, with some services arriving at Dortmund Signal Iduna Park. Use this guide to compare Essen and Dortmund 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-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.
Essen West is 2 km from Essen city centre. Public transport options include:
Essen West 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: Pizzeria Don Camillo, Lindos, Zur Platte, Arman Döner
Wi-Fi is available at Essen West. ATMs are available at Essen West.
Ticket office support is available at Essen West. Information desks are available at Essen West.
Luggage storage is available at Essen West. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Essen West: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Essen West: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen West.
Nearby hotels include McDreams.
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-Mengede is 8 km from Dortmund city centre. Public transport options include:
Dortmund-Mengede 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: The Greek, Peking Garden, Piccola Enzo, Restaurant Symbol
Wi-Fi is available at Dortmund-Mengede. ATMs are available at Dortmund-Mengede.
Ticket office support is available at Dortmund-Mengede. Information desks are available at Dortmund-Mengede.
Luggage storage is available at Dortmund-Mengede. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dortmund-Mengede: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Dortmund-Mengede: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dortmund-Mengede.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need