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Trip Summary
There are usually 23 daily train trips available from Brussels to Essen. Traveling by train from Brussels to Essen usually takes 4 hours and 8 minutes, but the fastest Deutsche Bahn train can make the trip in 3 hours and 9 minutes.
| Distance | 123 mi (197 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 9m |
| Lowest price | $44.67 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company |
| Train lines | 3 |
Which train should you take from Brussels to Essen?
There are 3 train lines with service from Brussels to Essen. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 17 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Intercity-Express | 1 | 3h 51m | $46.80 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 12 | 4h 33m | $58.38 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 17 | 3h 58m | $58.72 |
The most popular Deutsche Bahn ICE routes travel to Berlin, Cologne, Paris, and Munich. Seating is spacious with a good amount of legroom, and onboard amenities include complimentary WiFi, restrooms, and a restaurant car selling beverages, snacks, sandwiches, and hot meals. Unlike the rest of the Deutsche Bahn network, ticket prices on Deutsche Bahn ICE services are not based on a per-kilometer rate but on specific station-to-station links.
Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company train tickets from Brussels to Essen start from $46, and on average cost . Daily there are 17 Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company schedules to Essen. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company in Brussels leaves from Schaarbeek and 4 other stations. And in Essen trains arrive at Train Station .
From Brussels to Essen train travel on Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company takes 3 hours and 58 minutes. If you are looking to get to Essen faster, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 9 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers 50 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Essen.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Brussels and Essen is approximately 123 miles, or 197 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 8 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 9 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.
Trains departing from Brussels to Essen tend to have the most passengers on Sunday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Sunday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Sunday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Brussels at 12:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00pm. 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 23 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Essen to Brussels.
City Information
Brussels
The center of European activities, Brussels is a cosmopolitan hub that features many cultural elements, making it one of the top destinations for international travelers. Sitting at the heart of Brussels is the famous Grand-Place, a world heritage site that boasts many nearby Gothic and Baroque architectural marvels. During the holiday season, the square hosts the Winter Wonders light show, as well as a giant Christmas tree. If you enjoy museums, don’t miss out on the Musical Instruments Museum, which is housed in an Art Nouveau building. Featuring as many as 1,200 instruments from around the world, the museum is every music fan’s dream. If you want to go on a shopping spree while in Brussels, head for the Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, which is housed in a stunning Renaissance-style arcade.
Brussels is the home to many Michelin-starred restaurants, and its food scene is among the top-rated in the country. For those wishing to enjoy a contemporary twist on Belgian classics, head towards La Quincaillerie. If seafood is your go-to, Noordzee Mer du Nord will definitely satisfy your palate.
Brussels’ three main rail stations are Brussels-South, Brussels-Central, and Brussels-North, all of which are the busiest in the country. Gare du Midi, located in the Brussels-South station, is the main hub for bus travel in and out of Brussels. The city is served by several airports, the most prominent of which is the Brussels-National Airport, located 10 miles east of the city.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Brussels?
Main departure station: Schaarbeek
Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 5 stops and stations in Brussels where you can board the train.
All train stations in Brussels:
Schaarbeek
Haren-Zuid/Haren-Sud
Bruxelles-Schuman
Bockstael
Bruxelles Tour-et-Taxis
Where is the train station in Essen?
Image credit: wwwuppertal
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Train Station
Essen Hauptbahnhof is the central railway station in Essen in Western Germany. The station has been rebuilt numerous times due to damage from the Second World War and other structural issues, and now over 400 trains serve the station daily. In addition, long-distance Deutsche Bahn ICE trains run regularly to destinations including Berlin, Cologne, Stuttgart, and Vienna. Regional trains travel cities such as Aachen, Dusseldorf, Wuppertal, and Munster. Inside the station are a variety of shops, restaurants and bakeries, banks, a pharmacy, ticket offices, and information desks. The station is in the center of Essen, so there are hotels, restaurants, and attractions a short walk away.
All train stations in Essen:
Train Station
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