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- Take the train from Essen to Brussels-Nordtrain Ic / ...
- Take the train from Brussels-Nord to Koeln Hbftrain Ice / ...
3h 32m€53–100Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Antwerp Rooseveltplaats to Leverkusenbus 280
7h 41m€25–35Drive 220.5 km
- Drive from Essen to Colognecar 220.5 km
2h 36m€41–59Train, fly
- Take the train from Roosendaal to Rotterdam Centraaltrain
- Take the train from Rotterdam Centraal to Schiphol Airporttrain
- Fly from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane AMS - DUS
4h 21m€152–394Train
- Take the train from Antwerpen Centraal to Köln Hbftrain 79
3h 58m€50–103Train via Venlo
- Take the train from Roosendaal to 's-Hertogenboschtrain
- Take the train from 's-Hertogenbosch to Venlotrain
- Take the train from Venlo to Koeln Hbftrain Ice
5h 14m€27–55
Essen to Cologne by train
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Essen to Cologne is to bus which costs €25 - €35 and takes 7h 41m.
The fastest way to get from Essen to Cologne is to drive which takes 2h 36m and costs €40 - €60.
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 41m.
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 32m.
The distance between Essen and Cologne is 288 km. The road distance is 220.5 km.
The best way to get from Essen to Cologne without a car is to train via Brussels which takes 3h 32m and costs €50 - €100.
It takes approximately 3h 32m to get from Essen to Cologne, including transfers.
Essen to Cologne bus services, operated by FlixBus, depart from Antwerp Rooseveltplaats station.
Essen to Cologne train services, operated by Belgian Railways (NMBS/SNCB), depart from Essen station.
The best way to get from Essen to Cologne is to train via Brussels which takes 3h 32m and costs €50 - €100. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €25 - €35 and takes 7h 41m.
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 32m. Alternatively, FlixBus operates a bus from Antwerp Rooseveltplaats to Leverkusen 5 times a week. Tickets cost €19–29 and the journey takes 4h 5m.
- Website
- klm.com
Flights from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Düsseldorf International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €35–290
- Phone
- +32 70 79 79 79
- Website
- Belgian Railways
Train from Essen to Brussels-Nord
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 12m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €12–20
- Website
- Belgian Railways
Train from Roosendaal to Rotterdam Centraal
- Ave. Duration
- 37 min
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- €9–16
- Website
- Belgian Railways
Train from Rotterdam Centraal to Schiphol Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 26 min
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- €9–15
- Website
- Belgian Railways
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- [email protected]
- Website
- Flixbus
Bus from Antwerp Rooseveltplaats to Leverkusen
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 5m
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- €19–29
- Website
- Flixbus
Want to know more about travelling around Germany
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Booking & Getting There
Essen to Cologne bus services, operated by FlixBus, arrive at Leverkusen station.
Essen to Cologne train services, operated by Belgian Railways (NMBS/SNCB), arrive at Brussels-Nord station.
Yes, the driving distance between Essen to Cologne is 221 km. It takes approximately 2h 36m to drive from Essen to Cologne.
Book your Essen to Cologne train tickets online with Omio.
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