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Trip Summary
You can pick from 4 daily train trips between Essen and Cologne. The average train journey from Essen to Cologne takes 57 minutes, but some FlixTrain train trips are as short as 51 minutes.
| Distance | 36 mi (58 km) |
| Fastest train | 0h 51m |
| Lowest price | £3.38 |
| Trains per day | 4 |
| Most frequent service | FlixTrain |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Essen to Cologne?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Essen, NW to Cologne, NW was £3.97. This is a fantastic deal for train travel. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Cologne if you book your train tickets at least 12 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra £1.54.
Monthly average prices
Which train should you take from Essen to Cologne?
FlixTrain is the one and only train line which connects Essen to Cologne. However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixTrain | 4 | 0h 58m | £4.41 |
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 restrooms, 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 4 daily trips to Cologne from Essen. The train usually departs from Essen Hbf in Essen and arrives at Cologne Central Station in Cologne after about 0 hours and 58 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trains from Essen to Cologne are the most crowded on Tuesday. 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 traveling on Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Essen at 12:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 18:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 4 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Essen to Cologne.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Cologne to Essen.
City Information
Cologne
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Pixabay
There's no shortage of sights, culture, history, and adventure in Cologne, an alluring city on the Rhine. One of the most famous landmarks of the city is the Cologne Cathedral. This Gothic building and UNESCO World Heritage site remains the most iconic structure in the city. In fact, the Cologne Cathedral is the most visited landmark in Germany. Next door, the Museum Ludwig contrasts the cathedral's sense of history with an impressive collection of modern art, including works by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.
Cologne's breadth of museums also caters to a younger crowd. Families with children should head to the Cologne Chocolate Museum along the river or the Cologne Zoological Garden for memorable, kid-friendly experiences.
Foodies, rejoice! Cologne is home to mouthwatering German delicacies and upscale restaurants. Start your day with breakfast at Café Sehnsucht. For lunch, visit Herings Im Martinswinkel, and for dinner, head over to Bei Oma Kleinmann to feel like you're visiting your long-lost German grandmother.
Trains like Deutsche Bahn, DB Intercity, and FlixTrain connect Cologne to other major European cities, including Munich, Paris, and Vienna. You can also catch a coach from Cologne on FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, Sindbad, Union Ivkoni, or Columbuzz. Plus, the Cologne Bonn Airport is a large, well-outfitted airport with daily international flights for travelers coming from afar.
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 Cologne?
Main arrival station: Cologne Central Station
Cologne receives travelers from Essen at its two active train stations.
Train stations in Cologne:
Cologne Central Station
Cologne Messe Deutz Station - FlixTrain
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Cologne to Essen?
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