The cheapest and fastest trains from Essen to Cologne
Cheapest price
€9
Average price
€21
Fastest journey
49 m
Average duration
58 m
Trains per day
7
Distance
58 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Essen to Cologne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Cologne will cost around €21 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €9.
Of the 7 trains that leave Essen for Cologne on Wed, Nov 26, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Nov 26 the direct trains cover the 58 km distance in an average of 58 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 49 m .
On Wed, Nov 26 the slowest trains will take 1 h 4 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.
FlixTrain
ICE 101
ICE 913 · RE 10027
ICE 513
RE 26806
ICE 101
ICE 513
RE 26806
RE 26804
ICE 913 · RE 10027Travel Information
Compare bus and train for Essen to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Essen to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €4. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 57m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €4, and a train costs an average of €6.
Distance: 58 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€9 Average price | €6 Average price Cheapest |
1h 27m Average total duration Fastest 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 50m Average total duration 1h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Essen to Cologne train times
The table below shows live departures for Essen to Cologne trains for today, Tuesday, November 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:03 PM Essen | 0h53 | 4:56 PM Cologne | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:52 PM Essen | 1h11 | 9:03 PM Cologne | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, November 26 | |||||
ICE 101 | On time 5:00 AM Essen Hbf | 0h49 | 5:49 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
RE 26804 | On time 5:09 AM Essen Hbf | 1h03 | 6:12 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 913 · RE 10027 | On time 5:14 AM Essen Hbf | 1h04 | 6:18 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
RE 10202 · RE 28505 | On time 5:21 AM Essen Hbf | 1h08 | 6:29 AM Cologne Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 513 | On time 6:00 AM Essen Hbf | 0h49 | 6:49 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
RE 26806 | On time 6:09 AM Essen Hbf | 1h03 | 7:12 AM Cologne Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Essen to Cologne by bus or train
Compare bus and train 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.
Nov 26
Nov 27
Nov 28
Nov 29
Nov 30
Dec 01
Dec 02
Dec 03
Dec 04
Dec 05
Dec 06
Dec 07
Dec 08
Dec 09
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Essen to Cologne?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Essen to Cologne
Trains from Essen to Cologne run on average 15 times per day, taking around 57m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €6 but you can travel from only €4 by bus.
There are 8 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 58 km distance in 49m.
Distance 58 km |
Average train duration 57m |
Cheapest ticket price €6 |
Trains per day 15 |
Direct trains 8 |
Fastest train 49m |
First train 00:01 |
Last train 23:58 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, National Express from Essen to Cologne trainsDeutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, National Express trains will get you between Essen and Cologne from €4. 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.
FlixTrain
National Express
FAQs: Trains from Essen to Cologne
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Cologne 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 Cologne, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

When departing from Essen, you have various train station options to start your journey from including Essen Hbf, Essen-Altenessen station, Essen-Werden station and Essen Süd station. When arriving in Cologne, you can end your trip in train stations like Cologne Hbf, Cologne Messe/Deutz, Cologne/Bonn Flughafen and Cologne-Ehrenfeld.
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 Cologne Hbf, located 1.6 miles (2.5 km) away from the city centre.
popular train stations
Popular train stations from Essen to Cologne
- 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
- Döbbe
- Der Bonner Hof
- Pino's Bar & Restaurant und Eventlocation
- Pizza Pasta
- China-Town
- Osteria Felice
- Achilleon
- Sprenger
- 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
- Zur Krone
- Hannappel
- Pizzeria Roma
- Horster Döner
- Pizzeria Don Camillo
- Pizza Farm
- Call a Pizza
- Nefeli
- Parkhaus Hügel
- Cafe au Lac
- ETUF
- LUJO
- Parkhaus Hügel
- Casino Zollverein
- Warsteiner Stiefel
- Schacht XII, Bistro
- Cafe Kohlenwäsche
- Lukas
- Im Fass
- Pizzeria Spuntino Dario
- Contilla EisCafe
- Bootshaus Ruhreck
- Bacchos
- Döner
- Eiscafe Kemmerling
- Kettner's Kamota
- Abraham Konditorei & Cafe Werntges seit 1962
- La Piazzetta
- Pia
- Hotel Hohenstein
- Domstuben
- Zur Krone
- Hannappel
- Pizzeria Roma
- Horster Döner
- Mon - Fri: 06:00 - 21:00
- Sat - Sun: 07:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only.
- There are luggage lockers in the station.
- asiagourmet
- Coffee Fellows
- dean&david
- Dunkin' Donuts
- KFC
- McDonald's
- Pizza Hut
- Nordsee
- Starbucks
- Schweinske
- & more
- Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
- Wyndham Koeln
- Hilton Cologne
- Excelsior Hotel Ernst
- One near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5.
- Mon - Fri: 06:00 - 21:00
- Sat - Sun: 07:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes only.
- There are luggage lockers in the station.
- asiagourmet
- Coffee Fellows
- dean&david
- Dunkin' Donuts
- KFC
- McDonald's
- Pizza Hut
- Nordsee
- Starbucks
- Schweinske
- & more
- Wheelchair accessible & mobility assistance staff. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
- Wyndham Koeln
- Hilton Cologne
- Excelsior Hotel Ernst
- One near the departure/arrival board and another near the escalators close to Platforms 4 and 5.
- I Siciliani-Dolce&Salato
- Burger King
- Café Franck
- Eichendorf
- Kölnotel
- Black Hotels
- Monday: 07:30 12:45 - 12:00 16:30
- Tuesday: 08:30 12:45 - 12:00 16:30
- Wednesday: 08:30 12:45 - 12:00 16:30
- Thursday: 08:30 12:45 - 12:00 16:30
- Friday: 08:30 12:45 - 12:00 16:30
- Zum Piccolo
- Kolpinghaus
- Pizzeria Marco Polo
- Grill Stube
- Pension Europa
- Hotel Geisler
- The niu Mill
- Blauer König
- DAG Döner
- Sahra-Pizza
- Casablanca
- Hotel Arcaden
- Maugeri Ital. Hotel
- Hotel Rahmani
- Monday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Tuesday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Wednesday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Thursday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Friday: 09:00 13:00 - 12:30 18:00
- Saturday: 09:00 13:30 - 13:00 16:00
- Sunday: 12:00 16:00 - 15:30 20:00
- Café Bistro Leysieffer
- Mishba
- Ständige Vertretung
- Kamps
- Couchsnacks
- Secco
- Bistro Lotus
- Ganesha
- Flandrischer Hof
- Lasthaus am Ring
- The Ascot Hotel
- Lindner Hotel City Plaza Cologne
- Kolpinghaus
- Pizzeria Marco Polo
- Burger King
- Localino
- Hotel Geisler
- Weiler Kebap
- Başak Grill
- Le'zzet
- Seniorencafé Treffpunkt
- Haus Wester
- Zur alten Post
- Piccolo Capriccio
- Brauhaus Dellbrück
- Al Capriccio
- Ihr Hotel Garni Köln
- Monday: 06:00 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Thursday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Saturday: 08:00 - 17:00
- Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00
- Imbiss Athena
- Arena Grill
- Cafe Especial
- Joe Champs
- Pension Helenenwall
- Zur guten Quelle
- Zum Goldenen Hut
- Merlin
- Yilmaz
- Bistro im Park
- Restaurant Fernandes
- Orient Palais Restaurants & Catering
- Hanoi46
- Aida
- Vasco da Gama
- Alforat Grill & Pizza
- Wirtshaus Josef
- Casona Argentina
- Yilmaz
- Kaiserpalast
- Stammhaus
- Hofcafé Gut Clarenhof
- GolfCity Bistro
- McDonald's
- Wartesaal am Dom
- Alte Feuerwache
- Al Andalus
- A&O Köln Dom
- City Pension Storch II
- Azimut Hotel
- First Domizil
Most popular train connections from Essen
More options for your journey from Essen to Cologne
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