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How to get fromZurich to Essenby train (Eurostar), bus, train, car, plane, or train (Trenitalia)

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There are 8 ways to get from Zurich to Essen by train (Eurostar), bus, train, car, plane, or train (Trenitalia)

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

    best
    1. Take the train from Zürich HB to Köln Hbftrain train Ice
    2. Take the train from Köln Hbf to Essen Hbftrain train 10 / ...
    6h 4m
    €228–701

  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Zurich Bus Station to Düsseldorf central bus stationbus bus FlixBus N177 / ...
    11h 14m
    €55–92

  3. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Zurich Bus Station to Leverkusenbus bus FlixBus N11
    2. Take the train from Leverkusen Mitte to Essen Hbftrain train Re
    11h 10m
    €66–106

  4. Drive 592.9 km

    1. Drive from Zurich to Essencar car 592.9 km
    5h 53m
    €104–150

  5. Fly to Düsseldorf International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane plane ZRH - DUS
    2. Take the train from Duesseldorf Flughafen to Essen Hbftrain train
    4h 7m
    €88–242

  6. Train via Mannheim

    1. Take the train from Zürich HB to Basel SBBtrain train Ic3 / ...
    2. Take the train from Basel SBB to Mannheim, Hauptbahnhoftrain train 12 / ...
    3. Take the train from Mannheim, Hauptbahnhof to Essen Hbftrain train 47 / ...
    6h 40m
    €133–527

  7. Fly to Cologne Bonn Airport, train

    1. Fly from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)plane plane ZRH - CGN
    2. Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Essen Hbftrain train
    5h
    €96–274

  8. Fly to Frankfurt, train

    1. Fly from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Frankfurt (FRA)plane plane ZRH - FRA
    2. Take the train from Frankfurt to Essen Hbftrain train
    5h 21m
    €140–403

Zurich to Essen by train

Calendar3Weekly Trains
Duration6h 4mAverage Duration
Ticket€228Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Zurich to Essen.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 658.1 km
  • Duration: 6h 4m

What companies run services between Zurich, Switzerland and Essen, Germany?

You can take a train from Zürich HB to Essen Hbf via Köln Hbf in around 6h 4m. Alternatively, FlixBus operates a bus from Zurich Bus Station to Düsseldorf central bus station twice daily. Tickets cost €50–90 and the journey takes 10h 20m. GrandBus also services this route once daily.

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