Rome2Rio

How to get fromEssen to Cologneby train, bus, car, or plane

Find Transport to Cologne

See all options

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.

  1. Train via Brussels

    best
    1. Take the train from Essen to Brussels-Nordtrain train Ic / ...
    2. Take the train from Brussels-Nord to Koeln Hbftrain train Ice / ...
    3h 32m
    €53–100
  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Antwerp Rooseveltplaats to Leverkusenbus bus 280
    7h 41m
    €25–35
  3. Drive  220.5 km

    1. Drive from Essen to Colognecar car 220.5 km
    2h 36m
    €41–59
  4. Train, fly

    1. Take the train from Roosendaal to Rotterdam Centraaltrain train
    2. Take the train from Rotterdam Centraal to Schiphol Airporttrain train
    3. Fly from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane plane AMS - DUS
    4h 21m
    €152–394
  5. Train

    1. Take the train from Antwerpen Centraal to Köln Hbftrain train 79
    3h 58m
    €50–103
  6. Train via Venlo

    1. Take the train from Roosendaal to 's-Hertogenboschtrain train
    2. Take the train from 's-Hertogenbosch to Venlotrain train
    3. Take the train from Venlo to Koeln Hbftrain train Ice
    5h 14m
    €27–55

Essen to Cologne by train

Calendar126Weekly Trains
Duration3h 32mAverage Duration
Ticket€53Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

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.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around Germany

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Booking & Getting There