How to get from Cologne to Essen

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What is the best way to travel from Cologne to Essen?

Looking for a trip? Check and compare all the available Trains, Buses and Carpool to Essen from Cologne. Look at different modes of transportation, search for the cheapest tickets, fastest rides and most popular stations, and see all 1 available companies to find your perfect trip!
Bus is the cheapest, while Train is the fastest way on this route
Transport type
Travel time
Cheapest price
Average price
Daily departures
Bus
1h 40m
£3
£4
12
Train
0h 21m
£6
£9
154
Car
0h 30m
£3
£3
2

What is the cheapest way to reach Essen from Cologne?

You can reach Essen with just £3 by taking a Bus from BlaBlaCar Bus, but there are many more cheap offers: we have selected the best ones for you for the next few days here.

Friday
from £3
Saturday
from £3
Sunday
Monday
from £3
Tuesday
from £6
Wednesday
from £9
Thursday

    Cheapest Carpool Friday

  • BlaBlaCar
    0h 30m
    0
    16:00
    Dusseldorf Airport
    16:30
    Essen
    0
    BlaBlaCar
    Economy
    from £3
  • BlaBlaCar
    0h 50m
    0
    17:10
    Dusseldorf Airport
    18:00
    Essen
    0
    BlaBlaCar
    Economy
    from £3
  • Cheapest Buses Friday

  • FlixBus
    1h 40m
    0
    04:45
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    06:25
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £5
  • FlixBus
    2h 0m
    0
    05:10
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    07:10
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £5
  • FlixBus
    1h 40m
    0
    08:25
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    10:05
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £5
  • FlixBus
    2h 0m
    0
    10:50
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    12:50
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £5
  • Cheapest Trains Friday

  • Deutsche Bahn
    1h 32m
    0
    04:48
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport Train Station
    06:20
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £9
  • Deutsche Bahn
    1h 10m
    0
    05:48
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport Train Station
    06:58
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £9
  • Deutsche Bahn
    1h 14m
    0
    22:48
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport Train Station
    00:02
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £12
  • Deutsche Bahn
    1h 8m
    0
    22:32
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport Train Station
    23:40
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £15

    Cheapest Buses Saturday

  • BlaBlaCar Bus
    2h 0m
    0
    06:40
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    08:40
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    BlaBlaCar Bus
    Economy
    £3
  • BlaBlaCar Bus
    1h 55m
    0
    17:50
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    19:45
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    BlaBlaCar Bus
    Economy
    £3

    Cheapest Buses Monday

  • BlaBlaCar Bus
    2h 0m
    0
    06:40
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    08:40
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    BlaBlaCar Bus
    Economy
    £3
  • BlaBlaCar Bus
    1h 55m
    0
    17:50
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    19:45
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    BlaBlaCar Bus
    Economy
    £3
  • FlixBus
    1h 40m
    0
    08:25
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    10:05
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £4
  • FlixBus
    1h 40m
    0
    04:45
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    06:25
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £5

    Cheapest Trains Tuesday

  • Deutsche Bahn
    0h 22m
    0
    02:40
    Dusseldorf Airport
    Dusseldorf Airport
    03:02
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £6
  • Deutsche Bahn
    0h 25m
    0
    04:33
    Dusseldorf Airport
    Dusseldorf Airport
    04:58
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £6
  • Deutsche Bahn
    0h 21m
    0
    04:56
    Dusseldorf Airport
    Dusseldorf Airport
    05:17
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £6
  • Deutsche Bahn
    0h 21m
    0
    05:59
    Dusseldorf Airport
    Dusseldorf Airport
    06:20
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £6

    Cheapest Trains Wednesday

  • Deutsche Bahn
    2h 22m
    0
    00:48
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport Train Station
    03:10
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £9
  • Deutsche Bahn
    1h 42m
    0
    01:28
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport Train Station
    03:10
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £9
  • Deutsche Bahn
    1h 52m
    0
    04:28
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport Train Station
    06:20
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £9
  • Deutsche Bahn
    1h 30m
    0
    03:28
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport Train Station
    04:58
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £12

What are the fastest trips from Cologne to Essen?

You can get to Essen from Cologne in just 0h 21m with a Train from Deutsche Bahn. But this is just one option, click on any of the offers below to compare it with the other available modes of transportations.

Friday
from 0h 30m
Saturday
from 1h 55m
Sunday
Monday
from 1h 40m
Tuesday
from 0h 21m
Wednesday
from 1h 22m
Thursday

    Fastest Carpool Friday

  • BlaBlaCar
    0h 30m
    0
    16:00
    Dusseldorf Airport
    16:30
    Essen
    0
    BlaBlaCar
    Economy
    from £3
  • BlaBlaCar
    0h 50m
    0
    17:10
    Dusseldorf Airport
    18:00
    Essen
    0
    BlaBlaCar
    Economy
    from £3
  • Fastest Trains Friday

  • Deutsche Bahn
    1h 8m
    0
    22:32
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport Train Station
    23:40
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £15
  • Deutsche Bahn
    1h 9m
    0
    17:49
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport Train Station
    18:58
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £16
  • Deutsche Bahn
    1h 10m
    0
    05:48
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport Train Station
    06:58
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £9
  • Deutsche Bahn
    1h 14m
    0
    22:48
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport Train Station
    00:02
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £12
  • Fastest Buses Friday

  • FlixBus
    1h 40m
    0
    04:45
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    06:25
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £5
  • FlixBus
    1h 40m
    0
    08:25
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    10:05
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £5
  • FlixBus
    1h 55m
    0
    15:45
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    17:40
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £5
  • FlixBus
    2h 0m
    0
    05:10
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    07:10
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £5

    Fastest Buses Saturday

  • BlaBlaCar Bus
    1h 55m
    0
    17:50
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    19:45
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    BlaBlaCar Bus
    Economy
    £3
  • BlaBlaCar Bus
    2h 0m
    0
    06:40
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    08:40
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    BlaBlaCar Bus
    Economy
    £3

    Fastest Buses Monday

  • FlixBus
    1h 40m
    0
    08:25
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    10:05
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £4
  • FlixBus
    1h 40m
    0
    04:45
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    06:25
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £5
  • BlaBlaCar Bus
    1h 55m
    0
    17:50
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    19:45
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    BlaBlaCar Bus
    Economy
    £3
  • BlaBlaCar Bus
    2h 0m
    0
    06:40
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport - Bus Station
    08:40
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    BlaBlaCar Bus
    Economy
    £3

    Fastest Trains Tuesday

  • Deutsche Bahn
    0h 21m
    0
    04:56
    Dusseldorf Airport
    Dusseldorf Airport
    05:17
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £6
  • Deutsche Bahn
    0h 21m
    0
    05:59
    Dusseldorf Airport
    Dusseldorf Airport
    06:20
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £6
  • Deutsche Bahn
    0h 21m
    0
    11:59
    Dusseldorf Airport
    Dusseldorf Airport
    12:20
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £6
  • Deutsche Bahn
    0h 22m
    0
    02:40
    Dusseldorf Airport
    Dusseldorf Airport
    03:02
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £6

    Fastest Trains Wednesday

  • Deutsche Bahn
    1h 22m
    0
    11:09
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport Train Station
    12:31
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £12
  • Deutsche Bahn
    1h 30m
    0
    03:28
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport Train Station
    04:58
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £12
  • Deutsche Bahn
    1h 42m
    0
    01:28
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport Train Station
    03:10
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £9
  • Deutsche Bahn
    1h 52m
    0
    04:28
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    Cologne/Bonn Airport Train Station
    06:20
    Essen
    Central Station
    0
    Deutsche Bahn
    Economy
    from £9
Here you will find all operators and timetables for a Bus from Cologne to Essen

What are the most popular stations in Cologne and Essen?

In Cologne, you will usually depart from Central Station, Messe/Deutz Train Station or Central Bus Station, while in Essen you will be arriving at Central Station, Freiheit Bus Stop or Hafenstr. Bus Stop, but there are many more stops to explore in both locations.

How do I decide? Some tips and tricks from our experience

Are you having trouble deciding on how to get to Essen from Cologne? With 5 connections between 1 Train, Bus and Carpool operators, it can be difficult to find the one ride that will make you happy. But we have some tips that can help you make the best informed decision. First of all, the best trip is always the one that meets all your needs, so make a list of all the things that you want from this journey and look for something that will satisfy all of them. Here we will go through some of the factors mostly commonly taken into consideration.

Look for the lowest price

Ticket price is usually the main concern: even if you can afford to pay more, why do it if there are cheaper options? Saving on the trip means that you can spend more on the vacation itself! Between Cologne and Essen, you can pay as low as £3 with a Bus from BlaBlaCar Bus.

Travel duration

Time is also an important factor. An earlier departure may allow you to see a beautiful sunset or relax before an important event. And remember, time is money, so paying more for a shorter trip may be well worth it. For longer distances, flights are without doubt the best options, but be mindful of airport times and possible delays: a high-speed train may end up cheaper and faster! Here the quicker option is definitely the Train from Deutsche Bahn: you will get to Essen in just 0h 21m.

Comfort makes all the difference

You should always take into account what your personal travelling preferences are. Is one hand luggage enough, or are you trasporting more? Would you like to have a snack during the journey? Can you relax in a busy compartment, or do you need space for yourself? Even among the same mode of transportation, different companies will offer you varying levels of comfort and amenities. The main operators connecting Cologne and Essen are Deutsche Bahn, FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus, but be sure to check what they have to offer!

Save money with deals, and always compare

One last tip? Even if you live in Cologne and Essen is your only destination, it may be wise to check the offers from and to nearby cities or, if you are flyng, nearby airports. Check the trips from Huerth or to Gelsenkirchen, and look at flights from Dusseldorf Airport, and landing at Dusseldorf Airport. Comparing different routes may allow you to find deals or promotions you were not aware of. Consider also signing up to CheckMyBus to see even more exclusive promotions!

Which companies offer a trip from Cologne to Essen?

The most popular companies between Cologne and Essen, are Deutsche Bahn, FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus. Be sure to check their seat class offers and the amenities that they provide.

Bus companies: FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus

Train companies: Deutsche Bahn

All you need to know when you travel from Cologne to Essen

Check all information on comfort and services on all modes of transports from Cologne to Essen. See which seat classes are available, and what amenities are other advantages offered by the operators on your journey.

FAQs about the trip from Cologne to Essen

How can I reach Essen from Cologne?

Every day, there are on average 5 connections between Train, Bus and Carpool, with which you can get to Essen from Cologne.

How far is Essen from Cologne?

The distance between Cologne and Essen is 57.7 km.

What is the most ecofriendly mode of transport between Cologne and Essen?

Trains and buses are by far the greenest options, with trains surpassing buses on longer routes. Planes will always be the worst polluters, especially in shorter flights, were the emissions from the takeoff and landing are less offset by the distance. On this particular route, a bus will emit, per person, a total of 2 kgs of CO2, a train 2 kgs, a car 10 kgs, and a flight 14 kgs.

What is the cheapest mode of transport from Cologne to Essen?

You can get to Essen with just £3 by taking a Bus from BlaBlaCar Bus.

What is the fastest way to get from Cologne to Essen?

While a plane is travelling fastest boarding and transfer to airport consumes a lot of time. Usually, high speed trains are better than flights if pure train travel time is below 4 hours. For this particular route, you can get to Essen in just 0h 21m with a Train from Deutsche Bahn.

More routes to Cologne and to Essen

Looking for more options? Here you can see the most popular routes to Cologne and to Essen. Simply click on a connection, and you’ll find all the details about the route!

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