The cheapest and fastest trains from Essen to Brussels
Cheapest price
€78
Average price
€87
Fastest journey
2 h 55 m
Average duration
3 h 6 m
Trains per day
17
Distance
198 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Essen to Brussels is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Brussels will cost around €87 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €78.
Of the 17 trains that leave Essen for Brussels on Thu, Nov 06, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Nov 06 the direct trains cover the 198 km distance in an average of 3 h 6 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 55 m .
On Thu, Nov 06 the slowest trains will take 3 h 17 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.
EC 7 · ICE 316
RE 26808 · ICE 316
RE 10206 · ICE 121 · ICE 316
9414
IC 2013 · ICE 16
9414
9426
RE 10206 · ICE 121 · ICE 316
RE 10206 · ICE 121 · ICE 316
RE 26808 · ICE 316Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Essen to Brussels
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Essen to Brussels among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €14. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 15m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €14, and a flight costs an average of €162.
Distance: 198 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€79 Average price | €23 Average price Cheapest | €330 Average price |
3h 45m Average total duration Fastest 3h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 32m Average total duration 4h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 58m Average total duration 6h 58m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Essen to Brussels train times
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9414 | 4:40 AM Essen Hbf | 2h55 | 7:35 AM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
9426 | 6:35 AM Essen Hbf | 3h00 | 9:35 AM Brussels-Midi | 0 transfersDirect | |
EC 7 · ICE 316 | Delayed 7:18 AM 7:00 AMEssen Hbf | 3h26 | 10:26 AM Brussels-North | 1 transfer | |
EC 7 · ICE 316 | Delayed 7:18 AM 7:00 AMEssen Hbf | 3h35 | 10:35 AM Brussels-Midi | 1 transfer | |
EC 7 · ICE 16 | Delayed 7:18 AM 7:00 AMEssen Hbf | 5h26 | 12:26 PM Brussels-North | 1 transfer | |
RE 26808 · ICE 316 | On time 7:09 AM Essen Hbf | 3h17 | 10:26 AM Brussels-North | 1 transfer | |
RE 26808 · ICE 316 | On time 7:09 AM Essen Hbf | 3h26 | 10:35 AM Brussels-Midi | 1 transfer | |
RE 10206 · ICE 121 · ICE 16 | On time 7:21 AM Essen Hbf | 5h05 | 12:26 PM Brussels-North | 2 transfers | |
RE 10206 · ICE 121 · ICE 316 | On time 7:21 AM Essen Hbf | 3h14 | 10:35 AM Brussels-Midi | 2 transfers | |
RE 10206 · ICE 121 · ICE 314 | On time 7:21 AM Essen Hbf | 7h05 | 2:26 PM Brussels-North | 2 transfers | |
RE 10206 · ICE 121 · ICE 316 | On time 7:21 AM Essen Hbf | 3h05 | 10:26 AM Brussels-North | 2 transfers | |
RE 10114 · RE 26410 · RE 18926 · IC 534 | On time 7:45 AM Essen Hbf | 4h18 | 12:03 PM Brussels-Midi | 3 transfers | |
ICE 1031 · ICE 314 | On time 7:56 AM Essen Hbf | 6h30 | 2:26 PM Brussels-North | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1031 · ICE 16 | On time 7:56 AM Essen Hbf | 4h30 | 12:26 PM Brussels-North | 1 transfer | |
ICE 27 · ICE 16 | On time 8:00 AM Essen Hbf | 4h26 | 12:26 PM Brussels-North | 1 transfer | |
ICE 27 · ICE 314 | On time 8:00 AM Essen Hbf | 6h26 | 2:26 PM Brussels-North | 1 transfer | |
IC 2013 · ICE 16 | On time 9:14 AM Essen Hbf | 3h21 | 12:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 1 transfer | |
RB 10323 · ICE 225 · RE 28513 · ICE 16 | On time 9:16 AM Essen Hbf | 3h19 | 12:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 3 transfers | |
RE 26816 · ICE 314 | On time 11:09 AM Essen Hbf | 3h26 | 2:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 1 transfer | |
RE 10214 · ICE 123 · ICE 314 | On time 11:21 AM Essen Hbf | 3h14 | 2:35 PM Brussels-Midi | 2 transfers | |
RE 10130 · RE 26418 · RE 18942 · IC 538 | On time 11:45 AM Essen Hbf | 4h18 | 4:03 PM Brussels-Midi | 3 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Essen to Brussels by train, bus, or flight
Nov 06
Nov 07
Nov 08
Nov 09
Nov 10
Nov 11
Nov 12
Nov 13
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Nov 15
Nov 16
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Nov 18
Nov 19
Nov 20
Nov 21
Nov 22
Nov 23
Nov 24
Nov 25
Nov 26
Journey information
Overview: Train from Essen to Brussels
Distance 198 km |
Average train duration 3h 15m |
Cheapest ticket price €42 |
Trains per day 9 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 2h 55m |
First train 00:20 |
Last train 22:56 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar, National Express from Essen to Brussels trainsDeutsche Bahn, Eurostar, National Express trains will get you between Essen and Brussels from €14. 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
National Express
FAQs: Trains from Essen to Brussels

When departing from Essen, you have various train station options to start your route from including Essen Hbf, Essen-Altenessen station and Essen-Werden station. When arriving in Brussels, you can end your journey in train stations like Brussels-Midi, Brussels-Central and Brussels-North.
Passengers board the train most frequently from Essen Hbf, which is located around 1 mile (1.6 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Brussels-Midi, located 2 miles (3.2 km) away from the city centre.
popular train stations
Popular train stations from Essen to Brussels
- 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
- Bootshaus Ruhreck
- Da Vinici
- Asia-Nudeln
- Bacchos
- Zur Guten Quelle
- Hotel Töff-Töff
- Budike
- Bollywood Express - Pizza & More
- Haus Wilmes
- Mana Mana
- Karawane
- Webers
- Pizzeria Don Camillo
- Lindos
- Zur Platte
- Arman Döner
- McDreams
- Burger King
- Werner
- Bückmannsmühle
- Muckel-Eis
- Kettner's Kamota
- Abraham Konditorei & Cafe Werntges seit 1962
- La Piazzetta
- Pia
- Hotel Hohenstein
- Domstuben
- 6:30 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week. Access is available via Rue du Progrès.
- Chabrol Brasserie
- Winok Café
- Félix Wine Bar
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- €0.50
- Hotel Progress
- Hilton Brussels City
- Hotel Siru
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-6 for international and intercity trains
- Hall 2: platform 7-12 for regional and local trains
- Metro: Line 3, Line 4
- Tram: Line 25, Line 55
- Bus: Several lines available
- Mon - Sun: 06:15 - 22:00
- Free Wi-Fi available in Starbucks.
- Luggage lockers are located on Level 0 near Platforms 1 and 2.
- Starbucks
- Brasserie 28 Brewery
- Panos
- Delitraiteur Eat & Go
- Station has a wide range of facilities for passengers with limited mobility: elevators and escalators to platforms, wheelchair lifts and mobile ramps, barrier-free toilets and accessible parking spaces. Additional assistance can be contacted via the SNCB Mobility Call Center.
- Hilton Brussels Grand Palace
- Hotel NH Brussels Carrefour de l'Europe
- Hôtel The Moon
- Mon - Sun: 06:15 - 22:00
- Travel Center / information desk is located on the left side from the main entrance.
- Metro lines: 1, 5
- Train lines: IC, Intercity Direct 9200, RER (S1, S2, S3, S6, S8, S10)
- Mon - Sun: 05:45 - 21:30
- Wi-Fi is available for a fee.
- Baggage storage facility is located across from the Thalys business lounge.
- Pullman Hotel Bar
- Quick Gare du Midi
- Subway
- EXKi Zuid
- Starbucks
- Häagen-Dazs
- Sbarro
- The Coffee Club
- The Belgian Chocolate House
- PAUL
- & many more
- Station has a wide range of facilities for passengers with reduced mobility: elevators and escalators to all platforms, wheelchair lifts and mobile ramps, disabled toilet and parking spaces. Additional assistance can be contacted via the SNCB Mobility Call Center.
- Les Lofts De Styliste
- Park Inn by Radisson Brussels Midi
- Pullman Brussels Centre Midi
- Located in the main concourse and next to the international platforms.
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, accessible from Rue de Trèves.
- The Twelve
- Le Grand Central
- Outside the main entrance.
- €0.50
- Thon Hotel EU
- Aloft Brussels Schuman
- Sofitel Brussels Europe
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-4 for trains to Luxembourg, France, and Germany
- Hall 2: access to European Parliament
- Metro: Line 1, Line 5
- Bus: Several lines available
- Tram: Line 81
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available nearby, with several public parking options in the European Quarter.
- The Twelve
- Kafenio
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- €0.50
- Holiday Inn Brussels - Schuman
- Aloft Brussels Schuman
- Sofitel Brussels Europe
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-4 for trains to local, regional, and international destinations
- Hall 2: metro and bus connections
- Metro: Line 1, Line 5
- Bus: Several lines available
- Tram: Line 81
Most popular train connections from Essen
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