FRANKFURT AM MAIN AIRPORT to ESSEN train from £12 with Deutsche Bahn (ICE)

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The cheapest and fastest trains from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept

Cheapest price on 18 Sept

£58

Average ticket price on 18 Sept

£62

Fastest journey on 18 Sept

2 h 10 m

Average journey duration on 18 Sept

2 h 36 m

Trains on 18 Sept

Distance

191 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen will cost around £62 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £58.

Fast trains

To travel from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen you need to make at least one change.

ICE 822 · S6
8:222h10
Frankfurt Airport long-distance station
10:32Essen Hbf
£581One-way
1 change
ICE 316 · 26813 · S6
8:482h24
Frankfurt Airport long-distance station
11:12Essen Hbf
£581One-way
2 changes
S8 · IC 2049 · ICE 202 · S6
8:304h02
Frankfurt am Main Flughafen
12:32Essen Hbf
£651One-way
3 changes
ICE 1022 · S6
7:593h33
Frankfurt Airport long-distance station
11:32Essen Hbf
£651One-way
1 change
ICE 1612 · IC 2204 · S2
8:262h41
Frankfurt Airport long-distance station
11:07Essen Hbf
£651One-way
2 changes

Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £18 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 29m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £18, while a flight costs an average of £102.

Distance: 191 km

Compare train with

Most popular Train	Coach	Flight	Driving
£32 Average Price	£18 Average Price Cheapest	£102 Average Price	£32 Average Price (fuel + tolls)
2h 29m Average total duration Fastest 1h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	3h 44m Average total duration 3h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	2h 45m Average total duration 45m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time*	2h 38m Average total duration (door-to-door)
Direct Options	Direct Options	Direct Options	Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen is a train with an average price of £32.

This is compared to other travel options from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen:

A train is £0.43 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen costing on average £32.

A train is £70 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen costing on average £102.

The fastest way to travel from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen is by flight with an average journey time of 45m.

Other travel options to Essen take longer:

Train takes on average 1h 59m.

Coach takes on average 7h 35m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Frankfurt am Main Airport and Essen including taking a train, coach and flight.

Take the train. On this route, it beats driving on both time and money.

The journey is about 39m faster (1h 59m by train vs 2h 38m by car) and roughly £0.01 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£32 vs £32). 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, 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.

Live departures

Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen train times

The table below shows live departures for Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Changes
ICE 1022 · S6	On time 7:59 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	3h33	11:32 Essen Hbf	1 change
ICE 822 · S6	Delayed 6:27 8:22Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	2h10	10:32 Essen Hbf	1 change
ICE 1612 · IC 2204 · S2	On time 8:26 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	2h41	11:07 Essen Hbf	2 changes
S8 · IC 2049 · ICE 202 · S6	8:30 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen	4h02	12:32 Essen Hbf	3 changes
ICE 316 · 26813 · S6	On time 8:48 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	2h24	11:12 Essen Hbf	2 changes
ICE 820 · S6	On time 9:22 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	2h10	11:32 Essen Hbf	1 change
ICE 1020 · 10216	On time 9:59 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	3h22	13:21 Essen Hbf	1 change
ICE 728 · S6	On time 10:22 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	2h10	12:32 Essen Hbf	1 change
ICE 1610 · IC 2202 · S2	On time 10:26 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	2h41	13:07 Essen Hbf	2 changes
S8 · IC 2047 · ICE 200 · 10218	10:30 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen	3h51	14:21 Essen Hbf	3 changes
ICE 16 · 26817 · S6	On time 10:48 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	2h24	13:12 Essen Hbf	2 changes
ICE 612 · ICE 1020 · 10216	On time 11:10 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	2h11	13:21 Essen Hbf	2 changes
ICE 726 · S6	On time 11:22 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	2h10	13:32 Essen Hbf	1 change
ICE 1010 · S6	On time 11:41 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	2h11	13:52 Essen Hbf	1 change
ICE 126 · S6	On time 11:46 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	2h26	14:12 Essen Hbf	1 change
ICE 926 · S6	On time 11:59 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	3h33	15:32 Essen Hbf	1 change
ICE 200 · 10218	On time 12:11 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	2h10	14:21 Essen Hbf	1 change
ICE 724 · S6	On time 12:22 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	2h10	14:32 Essen Hbf	1 change
ICE 1518 · IC 2200 · S2	On time 12:26 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	2h41	15:07 Essen Hbf	2 changes
S8 · IC 2045 · ICE 108 · S6	12:30 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen	4h02	16:32 Essen Hbf	3 changes
ICE 314 · 26821 · S6	On time 12:48 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	2h24	15:12 Essen Hbf	2 changes
ICE 722 · S6	On time 13:22 Frankfurt Airport long-distance station	2h10	15:32 Essen Hbf	1 change
This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen by train, coach or flight

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.

Fri
18 Sept

Sat
19 Sept

Sun
20 Sept

Mon
21 Sept

Tue
22 Sept

Wed
23 Sept

Thu
24 Sept

Why should you book Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen trains with Omio?

Deutsche Bahn as well as Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) or Deutsche Bahn Regio (DB Regional) offer trains services from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen.

Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen.

Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn?

Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn, but also compare tickets for the likes of Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) or Deutsche Bahn Regio (DB Regional) to find the best option for your trip from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen.
Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Deutsche Bahn with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen.

Why book with Omio over Trainline or Wanderu?

Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen

Germany

Trains from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen run on average 15 times per day, taking around 1h 59m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £18 but you can travel from only £12 by coach.

There are 7 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:59, the last at 07:46. The fastest train covers the 191 km distance in 1h 41m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.

Price information

Cheapest alternative travel mode

Coach from £12

Distance

191 km

Average train duration

1h 59m

Cheapest ticket price

£18

Trains per day

Direct trains

Fastest train

1h 41m

First train

5:59

Last train

7:46

Cheapest Month

May

Cheapest Day

Mon

High Season

Jul - Sept

Low Season

Jan - Mar

Busiest Day

Wed

Least Busy Day

Sun

Price information

Cheapest alternative travel mode

Coach from £12

Train companies: Intercity, Deutsche Bahn, Regional from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen trainsIntercity, Deutsche Bahn, Regional trains will get you between Frankfurt am Main Airport and Essen from £12. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Intercity

About

Intercity is a broad classification for express train services that connect cities over longer distances than commuter or regional trains, often with limited stops and comfortable carriages for long-distance travel. The term \InterCity\" originated with British Rail in 1966 for its electrified West Coast Main Line services.Today, \"Intercity\" or \"IC\" is a brand name used by various railway operators across Europe and other parts of the world, including PKP Intercity in Poland, Trenitalia in Italy, and services in countries like Sweden and Ukraine. These trains typically offer both Standard and First Class seating, with amenities such as power sockets and luggage space. While some Intercity services are modern and high-speed, others may use older rolling stock, with speeds generally up to 160 km/h (100 mph)."

Luggage & cancellation policy

Average Intercity Duration

2h 48m

Cheapest Intercity Price

£25

Intercity frequency

3 a day

Luggage included

2 pieces of luggage up to 30kg total

Luggage storage

Overhead racks and designated luggage areas at end of carriages

Cancellation Policy

According to ticket conditions

Refund

Full refund provided

Amenities on board the train

Wifi

Food sold onboard

Restaurant car with hot meals and snacks, trolley service in some trains. But do not count on the presence of a buffet car. So if having access to food and drink on the train is important to you, it’s best to bring your own refreshments onboard.

Seat reservation

Seat reservation included in ticket price for most routes

Toilets

USB plugs

Accessibility

Wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets available

Pets

Small pets in carriers allowed free, larger dogs require paid ticket

Quiet zone

Learn more about Intercity

Deutsche Bahn

About

Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany’s main train operator, running around 40,000 domestic and international services each day. Its fleet includes a variety of train types: high-speed ICE (Intercity Express) trains, reaching up to 300 km/h; IC (Intercity) and EC (EuroCity) trains for long-distance travel; and IRE (Interregio-Express), RE (Regional Express), and RB (Regionalbahn) services for regional and local connections. While bathrooms are standard on all trains, amenities such as onboard restaurants and free Wi-Fi are available only on certain train types and routes. DB offers a wide range of fares, including Super Saver, Saver, and Flexible tickets, along with discount cards like the BahnCard 25, 50, and 100. Additional options include single tickets, day tickets, and group tickets. Popular routes include Berlin–Munich, Hamburg–Frankfurt, Cologne–Stuttgart, Berlin–Dresden, and Hamburg–Cologne, as well as numerous regional services across Germany.

Luggage & cancellation policy

Average Deutsche Bahn Duration

1h 38m

Cheapest Deutsche Bahn Price

£16

Deutsche Bahn frequency

52 a day

Luggage included

Passengers are allowed to bring hand luggage and one additional larger item free of charge, provided they can carry it themselves

Luggage storage

Luggage can be stored in overhead racks, under the seat, or in designated luggage areas near the doors or in the middle of the carriage.

Cancellation Policy

Tickets can be canceled based on their fare conditions as mentioned in what type of train tickets are refundable?

Refund

If DB cancels a train, passengers are entitled to a full refund of the ticket price.

Amenities on board the train

Wifi

Food sold onboard

Most ICE and many IC/EC trains have:
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.

Seat reservation

Second Class:
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.

Toilets

USB plugs

Accessibility

DB trains are equipped with facilities for passengers with reduced mobility, including wheelchair spaces, accessible restrooms, and assistance services.

Pets

Small pets (e.g. cats, small dogs, etc.):
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.

Quiet zone

Learn more about Deutsche Bahn

Regional

About

The term \Regional\" can refer to different train companies and services depending on the country. In Germany, \"Regionalbahn\" (RB) is a type of local passenger train that typically stops at all stations on a given line, connecting cities to their surrounding areas. Many RB trains are operated by DB Regio, a division of Deutsche Bahn, but other companies also run these services."

Luggage & cancellation policy

Average Regional Duration

1h 52m

Cheapest Regional Price

£25

Regional frequency

7 a day

Luggage included

Standard luggage allowance included with ticket

Luggage storage

Overhead racks and designated luggage areas

Cancellation Policy

Refunds according to ticket type and conditions

Refund

Full refund if service is canceled

Amenities on board the train

Toilets

USB plugs

Accessibility

Wheelchair spaces and accessible facilities available

Pets

Small pets in carriers travel free, larger dogs require ticket

Complete guide to Essen

Things to do in Essen

Discover the best of Essen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Essen trip today.

Must visit

Museum Folkwang

Major art museum with strong 19th- and 20th-century collections, posters and photography. A leading cultural stop in central Essen.

View on map Visit website

Must visit

Ruhr Museum

Industrial history museum in the former boiler house at Zollverein. Engaging displays explain coal, steel and daily life across the Ruhr.

View on map Visit website

Recommended

Red Dot Design Museum

Design museum inside the Zollverein complex, showing contemporary design, everyday objects and changing exhibitions in a dramatic industrial setting.

View on map Visit website

Euro (€)

Moderate for Germany. Hotels and dining are often slightly cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt, while local transport and everyday costs stay fairly manageable for visitors.

Average meal costs

Budget: €8-12 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range: €18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining: €60+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee: €2.80-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Service is usually not included. In restaurants, round up or tip about 5-10%. For taxis, round up the fare. In cafés, small change or rounding up is customary.

FAQs: Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen 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 Essen, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

The cost of a train ticket from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £16, while the average price tends to be around £52.

The train journey from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen covers a distance of 191 km and takes approximately 1h 38m. Trains run 15 per day.

The train distance from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen is 191 km.

The first train from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen leaves at 5:59.

The last train from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen departs at 7:22.

Trains from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen run approximately 15 times per day.

Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen.

Yes, there is a direct train between Frankfurt am Main Airport and Essen. The service operates 8 times per day, provided by Deutsche Bahn.

To get from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen, you can choose from several travel options including train, coach and flight.

There is no night train service from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen.

The cheapest way to get from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen is by coach, costing approximately £12.

Booking trains from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.

The train journey from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen offers a mix of urban and rural scenery, passing through picturesque regions like the Rhine Valley with its charming landscapes, vineyards, and historic castles along the way.

Yes, a day trip from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen is feasible. The journey takes 1h 38m one way and covers a distance of 191 km. There are 21 trains available per day.

To fully experience Essen's cultural and historical highlights, plan for 2 to 3 days.

Yes, you can take the train from Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Frankfurt am Main Airport and Essen

Most Frankfurt am Main Airport to Essen trains use the Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Essen Hbf station pair, with some services arriving at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus. Use this guide to compare Frankfurt am Main Airport and Essen train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Frankfurt am Main

Arrival train stations in Essen

Essen HbfEssen Hbf, Am Hauptbahnhof 5, 45127 Essen Wifi

City-centre transport

Getting to Essen Hbf from Essen city centre

BusNe12, Ne11, Ne2, Ne1, 196, 166, 155, 154, 146, 145 · 5m · every ~50 min

Tram109, 108, 107, 105, 103, 101 · 2m · every ~46 min

Essen Hbf 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 and drink

Food options include: Bollywood Express - Pizza & More, Kiepenkerl, Cafe Extrablatt, Tacos

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Essen Hbf. ATMs are available at Essen Hbf.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Essen Hbf. Information desks are available at Essen Hbf.

Luggage and lost property

Luggage storage is available at Essen Hbf. Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Essen Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Essen Hbf: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Essen Hbf.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Ambassador, Gästearpartment Dahl, WG-Hotel im Unperfekthaus, Motel One.

More about Essen Hbf

Essen, Kruppstraße / Am ThyssenhausAm Thyssenhaus & Kruppstraße, 45128 Essen-Stadtbezirk I, Germany Wifi

City-centre transport

Getting to Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus from Essen city centre

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Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus train station facilities and services

Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus. ATMs are available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Essen, Kruppstraße / Am Thyssenhaus: The station has basic accessibility features.

Essen-AltenessenEssen-Altenessen, Hövelstraße 8, 45326 Essen Wifi

City-centre transport

Getting to Essen-Altenessen from Essen city centre

Essen-Altenessen is 3 km from Essen city centre. Public transport options include:

BusNe1 · 8m

Tram108 · 10m · every ~10 min

SubwayU11, U17 · 4m · every ~18 min

U17, U11 · 6m · every ~18 min

Essen-Altenessen train station facilities and services

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.