There are 11 ways to get from Reading to Essen by train (Eurostar), bus, car, car train, train, plane, or car ferry
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train
best- Take the train from Reading to London Paddingtontrain
- Take the train from London St Pancras Intl to Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Miditrain Eil
- Take the train from Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi to Essen Hbftrain
7h 39m€226–438Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Reading RailAir to Heathrow Terminal 2bus Ra1
- Take the bus from London Victoria to Essen central train stationbus N380 / ...
15h 39m€85–131Drive, Eurotunnel
- Drive from Reading to Folkestonecar
- Take the car train from Folkestone to Calais-Fréthuncartrain
- Drive from Calais-Fréthun to Essencar
6h 32m€228–276Train to London Heathrow Airport, fly to Düsseldorf International Airport
- Take the train from Reading to Hayes And Harlington Stationtrain
- Fly from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane LHR - DUS
4h 46m€94–306Train via Utrecht
- Take the train from Reading to London Paddingtontrain
- Take the train from London St. Pancras Int. to Rotterdam Centraaltrain
- Take the train from Rotterdam Centraal to Utrecht Centraaltrain
- Take the train from Utrecht Centraal to Essen Hbftrain Ice
9h 54m€107–271Drive, car ferry
- Drive from Reading to Port of Dovercar
- Take the car ferry from Port of Dover to Calaiscarferry
- Drive from Calais to Essencar
7h 41m€104–199Train to London Gatwick Airport, fly to Düsseldorf International Airport
- Take the train from Reading to Gatwick Airporttrain
- Fly from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane LGW - DUS
5h 32m€110–241Train to Birmingham Airport, fly to Düsseldorf International Airport
- Take the train from Reading to Birmingham Internationaltrain
- Fly from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane BHX - DUS
5h 25m€141–289Train to London Gatwick Airport, fly to Cologne Bonn Airport, train
- Take the train from Reading to Gatwick Airporttrain
- Fly from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)plane LGW - CGN
- Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Essen Hbftrain
6h 30m€108–293Train to London Stansted Airport, fly to Cologne Bonn Airport, train
- Take the train from Reading to London Paddingtontrain
- Fly from London Stansted Airport (STN) to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)plane STN - CGN
- Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Essen Hbftrain
6h 49m€92–334Train, train to Luton Airport, fly to Dortmund Airport
- Take the train from Reading to London Paddingtontrain
- Take the train from Farringdon to Luton Airport Parkwaytrain
- Fly from Luton Airport (LTN) to Dortmund Airport (DTM)plane LTN - DTM
6h 31m€95–296
Reading to Essen by train and subway
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Reading to Essen is to bus which costs €85 - €140 and takes 15h 39m.
The fastest way to get from Reading to Essen is to train and fly which takes 4h 46m and costs €90 - €310.
No, there is no direct bus from Reading to Essen station. However, there are services departing from Reading RailAir and arriving at Essen central train station via Heathrow Central Bus Station and London Victoria. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 15h 39m.
No, there is no direct train from Reading to Essen. However, there are services departing from Reading and arriving at Essen Hbf via Paddington, London St Pancras Intl and Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 39m.
The distance between Reading and Essen is 735 km.
The best way to get from Reading to Essen without a car is to train which takes 7h 39m and costs €220 - €440.
It takes approximately 7h 39m to get from Reading to Essen, including transfers.
Reading to Essen bus services, operated by RailAir, depart from Reading RailAir station.
Reading to Essen train services, operated by Great Western Railway (GWR), depart from Reading station.
The best way to get from Reading to Essen is to train which takes 7h 39m and costs €220 - €440. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €85 - €140 and takes 15h 39m.
What companies run services between Reading, England and Essen, Germany?
You can take a train from Reading to Essen Hbf via London Paddington, Paddington, King's Cross St. Pancras station, London St Pancras Intl, and Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi in around 7h 39m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Reading RailAir to Essen central train station via Heathrow Terminal 2, Heathrow Central Bus Station, London Victoria Coach Station Arrivals, and London Victoria in around 15h 39m.
- Website
- eurowings.com
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Düsseldorf International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €70–210
Flights from Birmingham Airport to Düsseldorf International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €70–200
Flights from London Gatwick Airport to Cologne Bonn Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €65–170
- Website
- ryanair.com
Flights from London Stansted Airport to Cologne Bonn Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €30–160
- Website
- lufthansa.com
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Düsseldorf International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €70–210
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Düsseldorf International Airport via Frankfurt
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €50–300
- Website
- britishairways.com
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Düsseldorf International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 26m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €70–200
- Website
- airfrance.com
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Düsseldorf International Airport via Paris Charles de Gaulle
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 35m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €50–290
Flights from London Gatwick Airport to Düsseldorf International Airport via Paris Charles de Gaulle
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 50m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €40–240
- Website
- klm.com
Flights from Birmingham Airport to Düsseldorf International Airport via Amsterdam Schiphol
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 32m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €35–230
- Website
- lufthansa-city.com
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Düsseldorf International Airport via Frankfurt
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 15m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €50–300
- Website
- easyjet.com
Flights from London Gatwick Airport to Düsseldorf International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €65–160
- Website
- jet2.com
Flights from London Gatwick Airport to Cologne Bonn Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Thursday
- Estimated price
- €75–140
- Website
- ryanair.com
Flights from London Stansted Airport to Cologne Bonn Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- €90–130
- Website
- wizzair.com
Flights from Luton Airport to Dortmund Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €40–150
- Phone
- +44 (0)345 7000 125
- [email protected]
- Website
- gwr.com
Train from Reading to London Paddington
- Ave. Duration
- 41 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- €18–40
- Website
- https://www.gwr.com/
Train from Reading to Hayes And Harlington Station
- Ave. Duration
- 28 min
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- €13–25
- Website
- https://www.gwr.com/
Train from Reading to London Paddington
- Ave. Duration
- 41 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- €18–40
- Website
- https://www.gwr.com/
Train from Reading to Gatwick Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €27–55
- Website
- https://www.gwr.com/
Train from Reading to Gatwick Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €27–55
- Website
- https://www.gwr.com/
Train from Reading to London Paddington
- Ave. Duration
- 41 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- €18–40
- Website
- https://www.gwr.com/
Train from Reading to London Paddington
- Ave. Duration
- 41 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- €18–40
- Website
- https://www.gwr.com/
- Phone
- 0343 222 1234
- Website
- tfl.gov.uk
Train from Reading to London Paddington
- Ave. Duration
- 49 min
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- €29–60
- Website
- https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/elizabeth-line/
Train from Reading to Hayes And Harlington Station
- Ave. Duration
- 36 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- €20–45
- Website
- https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/elizabeth-line/
Train from Reading to London Paddington
- Ave. Duration
- 49 min
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- €29–60
- Website
- https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/elizabeth-line/
Train from Reading to London Paddington
- Ave. Duration
- 49 min
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- €29–60
- Website
- https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/elizabeth-line/
Train from Reading to London Paddington
- Ave. Duration
- 49 min
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- €29–60
- Website
- https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/elizabeth-line/
- Phone
- +44 (0)3432 186 186
- Website
- eurostar.com
Train from London St Pancras Intl to Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 4m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €110–200
- Website
- https://www.eurostar.com/rw-en
Train from Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi to Essen Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 50m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- €95–170
- Website
- https://www.eurostar.com/rw-en
- Phone
- +44 (0) 8443 35 35 35
- Website
- leshuttle.com
Car train from Folkestone to Calais-Fréthun
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €137
- Website
- https://www.leshuttle.com/uk-en
- Standard fare
- €137
- Phone
- +31 30 751 5155
- Website
- ns.nl
Train from London St. Pancras Int. to Rotterdam Centraal
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 58m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- €55–120
- Website
- https://www.ns.nl/en
Train from Rotterdam Centraal to Utrecht Centraal
- Ave. Duration
- 37 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- €6–13
- Website
- https://www.ns.nl/en
Train from Utrecht Centraal to Essen Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 46m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- €18–40
- Website
- https://www.ns.nl/en
- Phone
- +44 3447 369 123
- [email protected]
- Website
- crosscountrytrains.co.uk
Train from Reading to Birmingham International
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 24m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €55–80
- Website
- https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/
- Phone
- +49 30 2970
- Website
- bahn.de
Train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Essen Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €14–65
- Website
- https://int.bahn.de/en
Train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Essen Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €14–65
- Website
- https://int.bahn.de/en
- Phone
- +44 (0)345 026 4700
- Website
- thameslinkrailway.com
Train from Farringdon to Luton Airport Parkway
- Ave. Duration
- 36 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- €18–40
- Website
- https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/
- Phone
- +44 345 646 0707
- Website
- railair.com
Bus from Reading RailAir to Heathrow Terminal 2
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- €30–40
- Website
- https://www.railair.com/
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- [email protected]
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.fr
Bus from London Victoria to Essen central train station
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €50–85
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
- Phone
- +353 818 300 400
- [email protected]
- Website
- irishferries.com
Car ferry from Port of Dover to Calais
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- €10–55
- Website
- https://www.irishferries.com/uk-en/Travel-to-Ireland
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
Travelling to the UK: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
The London Underground: Essential tips to navigate the Tube
Read the travel guide
How do I buy a London Underground ticket?
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Reading to Essen bus services, operated by RailAir, arrive at Heathrow Terminal 2 station.
Essen is 1h ahead of Reading. It is currently 12:51 PM in Reading and 1:51 PM in Essen.
Reading to Essen train services, operated by Great Western Railway (GWR), arrive at London Paddington station.
Book your Reading to Essen train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Reading to Essen bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 2751+ hotels available in Essen.










































