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

The cheapest way to get from Essen to Cologne is to bus which costs €25 - €35 and takes 7h 40m.

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

The fastest way to get from Essen to Cologne is to drive which takes 2h 36m and costs €40 - €60.

Is there a direct bus between Essen and Cologne?

No, there is no direct bus from Essen to Cologne. However, there are services departing from Essen Bibliotheek and arriving at Köln Heumarkt via Kapellen Dorp, Antwerp Rooseveltplaats and Wiesdorf Leverkusen Mitte Bf. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 40m.

Is there a direct train between Essen and Cologne?

No, there is no direct train from Essen to Cologne. However, there are services departing from Essen and arriving at Koeln Hbf via Brussels-Nord. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 3h 36m.

How far is it from Essen to Cologne?

The distance between Essen and Cologne is 288 km. The road distance is 220.5 km.

How do I travel from Essen to Cologne without a car?

The best way to get from Essen to Cologne without a car is to train via Brussels which takes 3h 36m and costs €50 - €100.

How long does it take to get from Essen to Cologne?

It takes approximately 3h 36m to get from Essen to Cologne, including transfers.

Where do I catch the Essen to Cologne bus from?

Essen to Cologne bus services, operated by FlixBus, depart from Antwerp Rooseveltplaats station.

Where do I catch the Essen to Cologne train from?

Essen to Cologne train services, operated by Belgian Railways (NMBS/SNCB), depart from Essen station.

Train or bus from Essen to Cologne?

The best way to get from Essen to Cologne is to train via Brussels which takes 3h 36m and costs €50 - €100. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €25 - €35 and takes 7h 40m.

Where does the Essen to Cologne bus arrive?

Essen to Cologne bus services, operated by FlixBus, arrive at Leverkusen station.

Where does the Essen to Cologne train arrive?

Essen to Cologne train services, operated by Belgian Railways (NMBS/SNCB), arrive at Brussels-Nord station.

Can I drive from Essen to Cologne?

Yes, the driving distance between Essen to Cologne is 221 km. It takes approximately 2h 36m to drive from Essen to Cologne.

How do I get a train ticket from Essen to Cologne?

Book your Essen to Cologne train tickets online with Omio.

Where can I stay near Cologne?

There are 1846+ hotels available in Cologne.

Essen to Cologne - 6 ways to travel via train, bus, car, and plane

How to get fromEssen to Cologne

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There are 6 ways to get from Essen to Cologne by train, bus, car, or plane

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

Train via Brussels
best
1. Take the train from Essen to Brussels-Nordtrain Ic / ...
2. Take the train from Brussels-Nord to Koeln Hbftrain Ice / ...
3h 36m
€53–100
Bus
cheapest
1. Take the bus from Antwerp Rooseveltplaats to Leverkusenbus 280
7h 40m
€25–35
Drive 220.5 km
1. Drive from Essen to Colognecar 220.5 km
2h 36m
€41–59
Train, fly
1. Take the train from Roosendaal to Rotterdam Centraaltrain
2. Take the train from Rotterdam Centraal to Schiphol Airporttrain
3. Fly from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane AMS - DUS
4. Take the train from Duesseldorf Flughafen to Koeln Hbftrain
4h 36m
€159–387
Train
1. Take the train from Antwerpen Centraal to Köln Hbftrain 79
3h 58m
€50–103
Train via Venlo
1. Take the train from Roosendaal to 's-Hertogenboschtrain
2. Take the train from 's-Hertogenbosch to Venlotrain
3. Take the train from Venlo to Koeln Hbftrain Ice
5h 17m
€27–55

Essen to Cologne by train

115Weekly Trains

3h 36mAverage Duration

€53Cheapest Price

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Map of how to get from Essen to Cologne.

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Distance: 288 km
Duration: 3h 36m

What companies run services between Essen, Belgium and Cologne, Germany?

You can take a train from Essen to Koeln Hbf via Brussels-Nord in around 3h 36m. Alternatively, FlixBus operates a bus from Antwerp Rooseveltplaats to Leverkusen 5 times a week. Tickets cost €19–29 and the journey takes 4h 5m.

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