The cheapest and fastest trains from London to Essen
Cheapest price
£196
Average price
£196
Fastest journey
5 h 39 m
Average duration
5 h 39 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
494 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from London to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from London to Essen will cost around £196 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £196.
Of the 1 trains that leave London for Essen every day 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 494 km distance in an average of 5 h 39 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 39 m .
The slowest trains will take 5 h 39 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.


Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for London to Essen
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from London to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from £27. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 19m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the coach is your best bet as it emits only 0.5 - 1.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of £27, and a train costs an average of £163.
Distance: 494 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Flight | Coach |
|---|---|---|
£264 Average Price | £87 Average Price Cheapest | £87 Average Price |
5h 22m Average total duration 4h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 19m Average total duration Fastest 1h 19m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 16h 11m Average total duration 15h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
- CO2 emissions | 1.5 - 3.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
London to Essen train times
The table below shows live departures for London to Essen trains for today, Tuesday 9 December. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9132+ 317+ 10334+ 6 | 13:01 London St Pancras International (STP) | 6h19 | 19:20 Essen Süd station | 3 changes | |
9132+ 317+ 10334 | 13:01 London St Pancras International (STP) | 5h43 | 18:44 Essen Hbf | 2 changes | |
| Wednesday 10 December | |||||
![]() | 08:01 London | 5h39 | 13:40 Essen | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets London 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.
10 Dec
11 Dec
12 Dec
13 Dec
14 Dec
15 Dec
16 Dec
Journey information
Overview: Train from London to Essen
Trains from London to Essen run on average 4 times per day, taking around 4h 52m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £163 but you can travel from only £27 by flight.
The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 22:00. The fastest train covers the 494 km distance in 5h 35m.
Distance 494 km |
Average train duration 4h 52m |
Cheapest ticket price £163 |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 5h 35m |
First train 00:01 |
Last train 22:00 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar from London to Essen trainsDeutsche Bahn, Eurostar trains will get you between London and Essen from £27. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Deutsche Bahn
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.
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.
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.
Eurostar
FAQs: London to Essen train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London 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.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in London and Essen
- Mon - Fri: 05:45 - 22:00
- Sat: 06:00 - 21:00
- Sun: 08:00 - 22:15
- Free, unlimited WiFi is available throughout the station.
- Luggage lockers are located on the lower concourse close to the Eurostar line.
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- The Betjeman Arms
- AMT Coffee
- The Booking Office
- Carluccio’s
- Chop’d
- Greggs
- Taxi: Midland Road: Currently the taxi pick up is located next to Thameslink station entrance. Soon a large covered queuing area will be available halfway along the lower concourse where passengers can wait for marshalled taxis. Pancras Road: There are two taxi drop off areas in Pancras Road. One is situated halfway along the old Victorian brick built Barlow shed and is convenient for Eurostar passengers. The second is situated close to the main entrance in the new part of the station and is suitable for passengers travelling within the UK.
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis can be located on Midland Road and Pancras Road
- Wheelchair access, elevators, escalators, complimentary assistance for passengers with reduced mobility and other needs.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: There are two accessible toilets in this station that are operated by a radar key. One is next to Eurostar arrivals. Toilet attendants are available too.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- The Standard
- Kimpton Fitzroy London
- Alhambra Hotel
- Mon - Fri: 05:45 - 22:00
- Sat: 06:00 - 21:00
- Sun: 08:00 - 22:15
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Within car park
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Located on the lower level in the main hall.
- Subway lines: Circle Line, Hammersmith & City Line, Metropolitan Line, Northern Line, Piccadilly Line, Victoria Line
- Train lines: Overground line, High Speed 1, Eurostar
- Bus lines: 326, 139
- Monday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Thursday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Friday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Saturday: 09:00 - 18:00
- Sunday: 09:00 - 18:00
- Bollywood Express - Pizza & More
- Kiepenkerl
- Cafe Extrablatt
- Tacos
- Ambassador
- Gästearpartment Dahl
- WG-Hotel im Unperfekthaus
- Motel One
- Pizzeria Don Camillo
- Lindos
- Zur Platte
- Arman Döner
- McDreams
More options for your journey from London to Essen
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