The cheapest and fastest trains from Essen to Munich
Cheapest price
€80
Average price
€138
Fastest journey
5 h 54 m
Average duration
6 h 47 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
493 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Essen to Munich is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Munich will cost around €138 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €80.
It's difficult to get from Essen to Munich without transferring at least once.
S9 · ICE 105 · IC 2013 · ICE 577
S9 · ICE 105 · ICE 595
S9 · ICE 515
26711 · ICE 787 · ICE 707
26709 · ICE 845 · ICE 1285
S9 · ICE 105 · ICE 595
S9 · ICE 515
26709 · ICE 845 · ICE 1285
S9 · ICE 105 · IC 2013 · ICE 577
26711 · ICE 787 · ICE 707Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Essen to Munich
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Essen to Munich among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €24. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 7m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €24, and a flight costs an average of €35.
Distance: 493 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
€125 Average price | €157 Average price | €40 Average price Cheapest |
6h 13m Average total duration 5h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 7m Average total duration Fastest 1h 7m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 10h 36m Average total duration 10h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.5 - 3.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions |
![]() 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
Essen to Munich train times
The table below shows live departures for Essen to Munich trains for today, Friday, January 9. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 103 · ICE 593 | On time 7:00 AM Essen Hbf | 5h15 | 12:15 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 103 · IC 2040 · ICE 515 | On time 7:00 AM Essen Hbf | 6h29 | 1:29 PM Munich Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 845 · ICE 1285 | On time 7:21 AM Essen Hbf | 6h45 | 2:06 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 915 | On time 7:36 AM Essen Hbf | 5h04 | 12:40 PM Munich Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 621 | On time 7:53 AM Essen Hbf | 5h13 | 1:06 PM Munich Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 27 · ICE 515 | On time 7:59 AM Essen Hbf | 5h30 | 1:29 PM Munich Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 219 · ICE 575 · ICE 565 | On time 8:03 AM Essen Hbf | 5h46 | 1:49 PM Munich Hbf | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Essen to Munich by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, 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.
Jan 10
Jan 11
Jan 12
Jan 13
Jan 14
Jan 15
Jan 16
Jan 17
Jan 18
Jan 19
Jan 20
Jan 21
Jan 22
Jan 23
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Essen to Munich?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Essen to Munich
Trains from Essen to Munich run on average 14 times per day, taking around 5h 43m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €26 but you can travel from only €24 by bus.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:53. The fastest train covers the 493 km distance in 5h 12m.
Distance 493 km |
Average train duration 5h 43m |
Cheapest ticket price €26 |
Trains per day 14 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 5h 12m |
First train 00:01 |
Last train 23:53 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn from Essen to Munich trainsDeutsche Bahn trains will get you between Essen and Munich from €24. 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.
FAQs: Trains from Essen to Munich
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Munich 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 Munich, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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 Munich Hbf, located 1.3 miles (2.1 km) away from the city centre.
popular train stations
Popular train stations from Essen to Munich
- 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
- Bollywood Express - Pizza & More
- Haus Wilmes
- Mana Mana
- Karawane
- Webers
- Burger King
- Werner
- Bückmannsmühle
- Muckel-Eis
- Mon - Sun: 07:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes.
- The station has luggage lockers.
- Cantina Estación Mediterrano
- Rischart Bakery
- Ditsch Pretzels
- backWERK
- Cafe-Shop
- Le Crobag
- Yorma's
- Coffee Fellows
- Dunkin Donuts
- McDonald's
- & many more
- Accessibility equipment, elevators, & mobility service. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
- a&o München Hauptbahnhof
- IntercityHotel München
- Sofitel Munich Bayerpost
- There is an information desk located on the main concourse near the food court.
- Monday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Tuesday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Wednesday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Thursday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Saturday: 08:00 - 18:00
- Sunday: 08:00 - 18:00
- Burger King
- McDonald's
- Hunsinger in der Goldenen Gans
- Orexi Taverna
- Guenstigwohnen24.de
- Jagdschloss Residenz
- Hotel Miano
- Augustiner Bräustuben
- Lenz
- Das Bad
- Subway
- Theresienhöhe
- Hotel Schweiz
- Hotel Uhland
- Germania
Most popular train connections from Essen
More options for your journey from Essen to Munich
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need


