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Cheap train tickets from Essen to Zurich
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Essen to Zurich. Travelling by train from Essen to Zurich usually takes 14 hours and 15 minutes, but the fastest FlixTrain train can make the trip in 12 hours and 57 minutes.
- Distance
- 290 mi (467 km)
- Fastest train
- 12h 57m
- Lowest price
- $64.96
- Trains per day
- 2
- Most frequent service
- FlixTrain
- Train lines
- 1
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Essen to Zurich Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Essen to Zurich?
There are usually 7 daily bus trips available from Essen to Zurich.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$84.20Cheaper | Avg. Price$88.60 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips7 |
Duration | Duration14h 15m | Duration13h 43mFaster |
There are several train options that can take you from Essen to Zurich:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Essen to Zurich?
In the last month, train tickets from Essen to Zurich cost about $82 when booked at the cheapest time. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 3 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $7.37 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Essen to Zurich by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Essen to Zurich will cost between $65 and $107. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Essen to Zurich by month
Ticket prices for the train from Essen to Zurich often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in September when the average ticket price is only $69. If you're thinking of travelling from Essen to Zurich during May, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $103 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in May, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Essen to Zurich on Wanderu at least 3 days ahead of time, you can save about $7.37 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Essen to Zurich?
FlixTrain is the one and only train line which connects Essen to Zurich. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixTrain | 2 | 14h 15m | $84.21 |
Part of the FlixBus family, FlixTrain launched in 2018 to offer affordable and sustainable train travel in Germany. Its trains provide Wi-Fi, power outlets, air conditioning, onboard washrooms, and access to an entertainment portal full of movies, games, and music. In addition, each passenger gets a guaranteed seat, so you don't have to worry about standing in any aisles. FlixTrain operates 2 daily trips to Zurich from Essen. The train usually departs from Essen Hbf in Essen and arrives at Limmatstrasse 5 in Zurich after about 14 hours and 15 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Essen to Zurich
Trains leave the station in Essen twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the bus from Essen to Zurich for $64.
Trains per day
2
Direct trains
0
The distance between Essen and Zurich is approximately 467 kilometres. The average train journey between these two cities takes 14 hours and 15 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 12 hours and 57 minutes. Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Distance (mi)
290
Distance (km)
467
The earliest train departs Essen at 12:53 p.m. while the last train of the day leaves at 8:03 p.m. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
First train
12:53pm
Last train
8:03pm
Trains from Essen to Zurich are the most crowded on Sunday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider travelling on Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Sunday
Least crowded
Monday
City Information
Zurich
Located in the heart of Europe, Switzerland’s largest city lies at the northwestern tip of the eponymous Lake Zurich. This cosmopolitan city is buzzing year-round with vibrant city life, while the relaxing and peaceful Alps are less than an hour away.
Lake Zurich provides an elegant focal point of the city, with daily cruises available to explore this vast lake. Many chic cafes and restaurants are dotted along the banks, epitomizing Zurich's urban and cosmopolitan vibe.
The Old Town, or Altstadt, is arguably one of the city's most beautiful areas, characterized by winding cobblestone streets and medieval-style architecture. Here, you'll discover some of Zurich's most iconic landmarks, such as St Peter's church with its impossibly large clock face, the largest clock in Europe.
If the weather isn't suited to wandering, there are over 50 museums within Zurich to explore. Go traditional with the Swiss National Museum, or opt for something a bit more exhilarating at the FIFA Museum.
Zurich's airport is the largest in Switzerland, and it is just 10 kilometres from the city centre. Several train carriers, including the German Deutsche Bahn network, operate routes to Zurich from across Europe. Long-distance buses also make it easy to reach Zurich from cities like Bern, Stuttgart, Munich, and Milan.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Essen?
Main departure station: Essen Hbf
There is one train station in Essen.
All train stations in Essen:
- Essen Hbf
Where is the train station in Zurich?
Main arrival station: Limmatstrasse 5
Zurich Central Bus Station is directly next to Zurich HB (the city's central train station), and buses operate here to various destinations across Europe. Although there are few amenities for the station, most people rely on the train station's extensive shopping facilities, including restaurants, grocery stores, cafes, and souvenir shops. There is also a large, multi-story parking garage and stops for different services, such as Flixbus and OneBus. Flixbus also has a ticket and information centre here, although they encourage passengers to buy tickets online in advance. Destinations include Paris, Nantes, Salzburg, Sofia, and Bucharest.
All train stations in Zurich:
- Limmatstrasse 5
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