The cheapest and fastest trains from Munich to Essen
Cheapest price
€73
Average price
€139
Fastest journey
5 h 2 m
Average duration
5 h 5 m
Trains per day
46
Distance
493 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Munich to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Munich to Essen will cost around €139 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €73.
Of the 46 trains that leave Munich for Essen on Fri, Jun 19, 18 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jun 19 the direct trains cover the 493 km distance in an average of 5 h 5 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 2 m .
On Fri, Jun 19 the slowest trains will take 5 h 13 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.
ICE 888 · 267104:03 AM6h42Munich Hbf10:45 AMEssen Hbf€731One-way1 transfer
ICE 886 · 267146:09 AM6h36Munich Hbf12:45 PMEssen Hbf€791One-way1 transfer
ICE 7286:44 AM5h19Munich Hbf12:03 PMEssen Hbf€901One-way0 transfers
ICE 1012 · ICE 10206:20 AM6h35Munich Hbf12:55 PMEssen Hbf€901One-way1 transfer
ICE 7267:42 AM5h24Munich Hbf1:06 PMEssen Hbf€901One-way0 transfers
ICE 91612:20 PM5h02Munich Hbf5:22 PMEssen Hbf€1501One-way0 transfers
ICE 10144:20 AM5h02Munich Hbf9:22 AMEssen Hbf€901One-way0 transfers
ICE 10108:19 AM5h03Munich Hbf1:22 PMEssen Hbf€1361One-way0 transfers
ICE 91810:19 AM5h03Munich Hbf3:22 PMEssen Hbf€1361One-way0 transfers
ICE 690 · ICE 2008:45 AM5h13Munich Hbf1:58 PMEssen Hbf€1361One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Munich to Essen
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Munich to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €28. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 9m. 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 €28, and a flight costs an average of €68.
Distance: 493 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
€113 Average price | €183 Average price | €42 Average price Cheapest |
6h 13m Average total duration 5h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 9m Average total duration Fastest 1h 9m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 13h 14m Average total duration 12h 44m 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
Munich to Essen train times
The table below shows live departures for Munich to Essen trains for tomorrow, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 888 · 26710 | 4:03 AM Munich Hbf | 6h42 | 10:45 AM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1014 | On time 4:20 AM Munich Hbf | 5h02 | 9:22 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1014 · ICE 1022 | On time 4:20 AM Munich Hbf | 6h42 | 11:02 AM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 822 | On time 4:41 AM Munich Hbf | 5h22 | 10:03 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1068 · ICE 774 · ICE 1049 · ICE 202 | On time 4:59 AM Munich Hbf | 6h59 | 11:58 AM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 686 · ICE 148 | On time 5:11 AM Munich Hbf | 6h56 | 12:07 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 614 | 5:33 AM Munich Hbf | 5h25 | 10:58 AM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 886 · 26714 | 6:09 AM Munich Hbf | 6h36 | 12:45 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1012 · ICE 1020 | On time 6:20 AM Munich Hbf | 6h35 | 12:55 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 728 | 6:44 AM Munich Hbf | 5h19 | 12:03 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 612 | 7:28 AM Munich Hbf | 5h30 | 12:58 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 726 | On time 7:42 AM Munich Hbf | 5h24 | 1:06 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 882 · 26718 | On time 8:05 AM Munich Hbf | 6h40 | 2:45 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1010 · ICE 926 · ICE 641 | On time 8:19 AM Munich Hbf | 6h59 | 3:18 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 1010 | On time 8:19 AM Munich Hbf | 5h03 | 1:22 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 690 · ICE 200 | On time 8:45 AM Munich Hbf | 5h13 | 1:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 724 | On time 8:45 AM Munich Hbf | 5h19 | 2:04 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 682 · 26720 | On time 9:12 AM Munich Hbf | 6h33 | 3:45 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 722 | 9:46 AM Munich Hbf | 5h16 | 3:02 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 880 · 26722 | On time 10:12 AM Munich Hbf | 6h33 | 4:45 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 918 | On time 10:19 AM Munich Hbf | 5h03 | 3:22 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 918 · ICE 228 · ICE 518 | On time 10:19 AM Munich Hbf | 6h39 | 4:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 720 | 10:45 AM Munich Hbf | 5h17 | 4:02 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 566 · IC 2012 · ICE 106 | On time 11:02 AM Munich Hbf | 6h56 | 5:58 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 680 · ICE 142 | On time 11:12 AM Munich Hbf | 6h55 | 6:07 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 518 | On time 11:28 AM Munich Hbf | 5h30 | 4:58 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 628 | On time 11:45 AM Munich Hbf | 5h22 | 5:07 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 788 · 26726 | On time 12:06 PM Munich Hbf | 6h39 | 6:45 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 916 · ICE 28 · ICE 645 | On time 12:20 PM Munich Hbf | 6h58 | 7:18 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 916 | On time 12:20 PM Munich Hbf | 5h02 | 5:22 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 596 · ICE 106 | On time 12:45 PM Munich Hbf | 5h13 | 5:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 626 | On time 12:45 PM Munich Hbf | 5h18 | 6:03 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 2464 · ICE 216 | On time 1:02 PM Munich Hbf | 5h51 | 6:53 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 564 · ICE 216 · ICE 12 · 26829 | On time 1:02 PM Munich Hbf | 5h48 | 6:50 PM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 564 · ICE 216 | On time 1:02 PM Munich Hbf | 5h51 | 6:53 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 2464 · ICE 216 · ICE 12 · 26829 | On time 1:02 PM Munich Hbf | 5h48 | 6:50 PM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 588 · 26728 | On time 1:10 PM Munich Hbf | 6h35 | 7:45 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 624 | On time 1:45 PM Munich Hbf | 5h18 | 7:03 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 786 · 26730 | On time 2:06 PM Munich Hbf | 6h39 | 8:45 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 224 · 26831 | 2:20 PM Munich Hbf | 5h30 | 7:50 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 224 · ICE 26 · 17432 · ICE 912 | On time 2:20 PM Munich Hbf | 7h02 | 9:22 PM Essen Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 594 · ICE 104 | On time 2:45 PM Munich Hbf | 5h13 | 7:58 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 622 | On time 2:45 PM Munich Hbf | 5h17 | 8:02 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
ICE 1284 · ICE 844 | 2:52 PM Munich Hbf | 6h43 | 9:35 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 586 · 26732 | 3:12 PM Munich Hbf | 6h33 | 9:45 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 514 | On time 3:28 PM Munich Hbf | 5h30 | 8:58 PM Essen Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Munich to Essen 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.
Jun 19
Jun 20
Jun 21
Jun 22
Jun 23
Jun 24
Jun 25
Jun 26
Jun 27
Jun 28
Jun 29
Jun 30
Jul 01
Jul 02
Why should you book Munich to Essen trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn, but also compare tickets for the likes of Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC) or Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) to find the best option for your trip from Munich to Essen.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Deutsche Bahn with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Munich to Essen.
Why book with Omio over Trainline or Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Munich to Essen.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Munich to Essen?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Munich to Essen
Trains from Munich to Essen run on average 11 times per day, taking around 5h 43m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €28 if you book in advance.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 493 km distance in 4h 53m.
Distance 493 km |
Average train duration 5h 43m |
Cheapest ticket price €28 |
Trains per day 11 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 4h 53m |
First train 12:01 AM |
Last train 11:56 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 42 days |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) from Munich to Essen trainsDeutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) trains will get you between Munich and Essen from €28. 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.
Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC)
Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)
FAQs: Trains from Munich to Essen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Munich 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
Popular train stations from Munich to Essen
- 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
- 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
- Haidhauser Augustiner
- Burger King
- Tassilogarten
- Mitani
- Hilton Munich City
- MOMA1890
- Mk Hotel
- Hotel Pension Christl
- 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
- Bollywood Express - Pizza & More
- Haus Wilmes
- Mana Mana
- Karawane
- Webers
Most popular train connections from Munich
More options for your journey from Munich to Essen
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need


