- Must visit
Museum der bildenden Künste
Major art museum with old masters, modern works and Leipzig painting. A strong choice for both classic and contemporary art.
Cheapest price on 13 Sept
£27
Average ticket price on 13 Sept
£54
Fastest journey on 13 Sept
4 h 56 m
Average journey duration on 13 Sept
5 h 39 m
Trains on 13 Sept
4
Distance
372 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Essen to Leipzig is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Leipzig will cost around £54 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £27.
On Sun 13 Sept, we found 4 trains from Essen to Leipzig, including 4 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 372 km distance in an average of 5 h 39 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 56 m .
The slowest trains will take 6 h 7 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 Leipzig among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £24 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 5h 56m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £24, while a flight costs an average of £357.
Distance: 372 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£32 Average Price | £24 Average Price Cheapest | £357 Average Price | £57 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 56m Average total duration Fastest 5h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 6m Average total duration 5h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 4m Average total duration 5h 4m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 5h 32m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 1.1 - 2.2kg 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 Leipzig:
A coach is £7 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Leipzig costing on average £32.
A coach is £333 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Essen to Leipzig costing on average £357.
Other travel options to Leipzig take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 26m.
Coach takes on average 5h 36m.
The journey is about 6m faster (5h 26m by train vs 5h 32m by car) and roughly £25 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£32 vs £57). 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 Intercity (DB IC).
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 Leipzig trains for tomorrow, Sunday 13 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:21 Essen | 4h56 | 12:17 Leipzig | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:26 Essen | 5h49 | 13:15 Leipzig | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 11:05 Essen | 6h07 | 17:12 Leipzig | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 12:05 Essen | 5h44 | 17:49 Leipzig | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
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 Leipzig run on average 8 times per day, taking around 5h 26m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £11 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 00:04, the last at 23:55. The fastest train covers the 372 km distance in 4h 56m.
Distance 372 km |
Average train duration 5h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price £11 |
Trains per day 8 |
Fastest train 4h 56m |
First train 0:04 |
Last train 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Leipzig — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Leipzig trip today.
Major art museum with old masters, modern works and Leipzig painting. A strong choice for both classic and contemporary art.
Museum in Bach’s former home, presenting manuscripts, instruments and his life in Leipzig. Essential for music lovers.
Museum of printing, design and book culture in a historic industrial setting. Especially rewarding for visitors interested in crafts and media history.
Leipzig’s central square framed by historic buildings, arcades and markets. A natural base for exploring the old town on foot.
Elegant passage linking city-centre streets with shops, architecture and a striking glass roof. One of Leipzig’s signature urban walks.
Canal-side former industrial district now known for galleries, studios and street art. Popular for a slower local walk beyond the centre.
A hearty Saxon potato soup, often finished with sausage or bacon. It is a comforting regional staple found in Leipzig homes and traditional inns.
Pan-fried freshwater fish from the Leipzig area, traditionally served simply to highlight local river and lake produce.
Leipzig’s best-known vegetable dish: peas, carrots, asparagus and morels, classically enriched with crayfish and butter. A historic local speciality.
Elegant restaurant in the Steigenberger Grandhotel Handelshof offering refined modern cuisine in a polished central setting.
Historic Auerbachs Keller serves classic Saxon and German dishes in a famous vaulted setting popular for traditional Leipzig dining.
Well-known restaurant focusing on Saxon and German specialities with a cosy, traditional interior near the city centre.
Moderate for Germany: hotels, dining and public transport are often a little cheaper than in Berlin, Munich or Hamburg, making Leipzig good value for city breaks.
Service is usually not included. Round up in cafés and taxis, or tip about 5-10% in restaurants. Tell the server the total amount when paying.
Official public transport app
Leipzig Hbf -> Augustusplatz, Leipzig
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Leipzig 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 Leipzig, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Essen to Leipzig trains use the Essen Hbf to Leipzig Hauptbahnhof station pair, with some services arriving at Leipzig MDR. Use this guide to compare Essen and Leipzig 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.
Leipzig Hauptbahnhof has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant Zchocolat, Vapiano Leipzig
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Leipzig Hauptbahnhof. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Leipzig Hauptbahnhof. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Leipzig Hauptbahnhof: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Leipzig Hauptbahnhof: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Leipzig Hauptbahnhof: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Steigenberger Grandhotel Handelshof, a&o Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, IntercityHotel Leipzig.
Leipzig MDR is 2 km from Leipzig city centre. Public transport options include:
Leipzig MDR 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: La mia pizza, Eis fichte MCL, Pata Negra, Shams Bistro
Wi-Fi is available at Leipzig MDR. ATMs are available at Leipzig MDR.
Ticket office support is available at Leipzig MDR. Information desks are available at Leipzig MDR.
Luggage storage is available at Leipzig MDR. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Leipzig MDR: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Leipzig MDR: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Leipzig MDR.
Leipzig Hbf, Ostseite has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Shower, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant Weinstock, Auerbachs Keller
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Leipzig Hbf, Ostseite. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Leipzig Hbf, Ostseite. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Leipzig Hbf, Ostseite: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Leipzig Hbf, Ostseite: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Leipzig Hbf, Ostseite: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Steigenberger Grandhotel Handelshof, Leipzig Marriott Hotel, IntercityHotel Leipzig.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need