- Must visit
Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister
Old Masters gallery with major European paintings, including Raphael, in the Semper building at the Zwinger.
Cheapest price
£41
Average price
£62
Fastest journey
6 h 46 m
Average duration
8 h 46 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
470 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Essen to Dresden is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Dresden will cost around £62 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £41.
Of the 4 trains that leave Essen for Dresden every day 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 470 km distance in an average of 8 h 46 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 6 h 46 m .
The slowest trains will take 9 h 46 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.








Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Essen to Dresden among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £19. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 10m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £19, and a flight costs an average of £102.
Distance: 470 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£44 Average Price | £30 Average Price Cheapest | £249 Average Price |
6h 52m Average total duration 6h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 12m Average total duration 7h 42m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 10m Average total duration Fastest 1h 10m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | 1.4 - 2.8kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Essen to Dresden trains for tomorrow, Wednesday 5 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:21 Essen | 6h46 | 11:07 Dresden | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:04 Essen | 9h16 | 16:20 Dresden | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 8:04 Essen | 9h16 | 17:20 Dresden | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 15:04 Essen | 9h46 | 0:50 Dresden | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach 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 Dresden run on average 10 times per day, taking around 6h 22m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £15 if you book in advance.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:15, the last at 23:55. The fastest train covers the 470 km distance in 5h 56m.
Distance 470 km |
Average train duration 6h 22m |
Cheapest ticket price £15 |
Trains per day 10 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 5h 56m |
First train 0:15 |
Last train 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Dresden — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Dresden trip today.
Old Masters gallery with major European paintings, including Raphael, in the Semper building at the Zwinger.
Treasury museum displaying royal jewels, goldsmith work and ceremonial objects in richly restored historic rooms.
Contemporary art museum in a former arsenal, showing modern and post-1990 works with a strong local and international mix.
Reconstructed central square framed by baroque façades and the Frauenkirche, ideal for architecture and people-watching.
Lively inner-city district known for pubs, street art, independent shops and a distinctly alternative Dresden atmosphere.
Large riverside meadows popular for walking, cycling and skyline views across the Elbe toward the historic centre.
Sweet layered cake from Dresden made with yeast dough, butter and dried fruit. It is the city’s best-known festive speciality, especially at Christmas.
Saxon potato soup, usually hearty and rustic, often enriched with vegetables and traditionally served with sausages or bacon for extra flavour.
Simple Saxon quark cheese with linseed oil, often served with potatoes. It reflects rural Lusatian and Saxon home cooking around Dresden.
Elegant restaurant in Dresden Castle focused on refined regional cooking and a polished fine-dining atmosphere.
Popular traditional inn with Saxon and German comfort food, generous portions and a cosy historic feel in the Neustadt area.
Traditional brewery restaurant in the Altstadt known for Saxon dishes and house beers in a lively, historic setting.
Moderate for Germany: hotels and dining are often cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt, while public transport and museums remain fairly priced for tourists.
Service is usually included, but rounding up or adding 5-10% is customary. Tip taxi drivers by rounding up. In cafés, round up or leave small change.
Official public transport app
Dresden Hbf -> Altmarkt, Dresden
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Dresden 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 Dresden, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Essen to Dresden trains use the Essen Hbf to Dresden Hauptbahnhof station pair, with some services arriving at Dresden-Neustadt. Use this guide to compare Essen and Dresden 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 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.
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.
Dresden Hauptbahnhof is 1 km from Dresden city centre. Public transport options include:
Dresden Hauptbahnhof 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: Burger King, asiagourmet, dean&david, Hot Dog King, Starbucks, Subway, BABA Döner, Marché, backWERK, Ditsch, & more
Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are available at Dresden Hauptbahnhof.
Ticket office support is available at Dresden Hauptbahnhof. Information desks are located by Platform 9 in the main concourse.
Luggage storage is there are luggage lockers close to by the waiting room and the stairs leading to Platforms 3/4. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dresden Hauptbahnhof: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Dresden Hauptbahnhof: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dresden Hauptbahnhof: Accessible facilities such as toilets and ramps and additional assistance as needed. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
Nearby hotels include Hotel Kipping, Pullman Dresden Newa, IntercityHotel Dresden.
Dresden-Neustadt is 1 km from Dresden city centre. Public transport options include:
Dresden-Neustadt 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: ElbUferei, Raskolnikoff, Byblos, Kantine No. 2
Wi-Fi is available at Dresden-Neustadt. ATMs are available at Dresden-Neustadt.
Ticket office support is available at Dresden-Neustadt. Information desks are available at Dresden-Neustadt.
Luggage storage is available at Dresden-Neustadt. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dresden-Neustadt: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Dresden-Neustadt: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dresden-Neustadt.
Nearby hotels include Bilderberg Bellevue Hotel Dresden, Rothenburger Hof, Mezcalero, Villa Romantika.
Dresden Mitte is 1 km from Dresden city centre. Public transport options include:
Dresden Mitte 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: Italienisches Dörfchen, BrennNessel, Kahnaletto, Cafe Friedrichstadt
Wi-Fi is available at Dresden Mitte. ATMs are available at Dresden Mitte.
Ticket office support is available at Dresden Mitte. Information desks are available at Dresden Mitte.
Luggage storage is available at Dresden Mitte. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dresden Mitte: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Dresden Mitte: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dresden Mitte.
Nearby hotels include Elbflorenz, Penck Hotel, Hotel und Restaurant Cafe Friedrichstadt, Artis.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need