- Must visit
Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister
Old Masters gallery with major European paintings, including Raphael, in the Semper building at the Zwinger.
Cheapest price on 20 Sept
£75
Average ticket price on 20 Sept
£118
Fastest journey on 20 Sept
5 h 54 m
Average journey duration on 20 Sept
6 h 19 m
Trains on 20 Sept
11
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 £118 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £75.
To travel from Essen to Dresden you need to make at least one change.
S9 · IC 2442 · ICE 205 · ICE 1021
S6 · ICE 823 · ICE 590 · 16501
Bus RE1 · ICE 205 · ICE 1021 · ICE 904
26709 · ICE 845 · IC 2443
26731 · ICE 645 · ICE 905 · 16501
26711 · ICE 545 · RJ 383
26715 · ICE 547 · RJ 177
26709 · ICE 845 · IC 2443
26713 · ICE 847 · IC 2441
89873 · IC 2441Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Essen to Dresden among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £33 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 0m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £33, while a flight costs an average of £381.
Distance: 470 km
| Train | Most popular Flight | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£99 Average Price | £381 Average Price | £33 Average Price Cheapest | £72 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 52m Average total duration 6h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 0m Average total duration Fastest 2h 0m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 8h 56m Average total duration 8h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 37m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.4 - 2.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.5 - 1.2kg 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 Dresden:
A coach is £65 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Dresden costing on average £99.
A coach is £347 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Essen to Dresden costing on average £381.
Other travel options to Dresden take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 22m.
Coach takes on average 8h 26m.
You'll arrive about 15m sooner (6h 22m by train vs 6h 37m by car). Tickets start at around £99 compared to roughly £72 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 Intercity (DB IC).
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 Essen to Dresden trains for today, Saturday 19 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
26711 · ICE 545 · RJ 383 | On time 9:13 Essen Hbf | 5h54 | 15:07 Dresden Hbf | 2 changes | |
26715 · ICE 547 · RJ 177 | On time 11:13 Essen Hbf | 5h54 | 17:07 Dresden Hbf | 2 changes | |
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 9 times per day, taking around 6h 22m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £22 but you can travel from only £21 by coach.
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 23m.
Distance 470 km |
Average train duration 6h 22m |
Cheapest ticket price £22 |
Trains per day 9 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 5h 23m |
First train 0:15 |
Last train 23:55 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 1 day |
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, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus. ATMs are available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus.
Ticket office support is available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus.
Available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus: The station has basic accessibility features.
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.
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