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Trip Summary
You can pick from 79 daily train trips between Ulm and Essen. The average train journey from Ulm to Essen takes 5 hours and 25 minutes, but some DB Intercity-Express train trips are as short as 3 hours and 54 minutes.
| Distance | 249 mi (401 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 54m |
| Lowest price | $68.98 |
| Trains per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company |
| Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Ulm to Essen?
There are 4 train lines with service from Ulm to Essen. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 49 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Eurocity | 1 | 5h 38m | $105.68 |
| DB Intercity-Express | 16 | 4h 37m | $122.07 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 29 | 5h 41m | $112.70 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 49 | 5h 35m | $115.44 |
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 Ulm to Essen start from $69, and on average cost . Daily there are 49 Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company schedules to Essen. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company in Ulm leaves from Ulm-Söflingen and 3 other stations. And in Essen trains arrive at Train Station .
From Ulm to Essen train travel on Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company takes 5 hours and 35 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 54 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers 72 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 Ulm and Essen is approximately 249 miles, or 401 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 25 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 54 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 from Ulm to Essen are the most crowded on Monday. 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 Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Ulm 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 79 scheduled trains on most days. 5 of these are direct connections to Essen. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Essen to Ulm.
City Information
Ulm
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Pixabay
Ulm boasts a rich history dating back to the 9th century, making it one of the best cities to explore Germany’s past. Its most notable landmark is Ulm Minster, a Gothic church with the tallest steeple in the world. From the church, amble south into the Fischerviertel, a quarter blessed with cobblestone streets, picturesque footbridges, and charming cafes.
Ulm is the birthplace of the world-famous scientist Albert Einstein, and the site of his former home now preserves his legacy with the Albert Einstein Memorial. The sculptural memorial is a bit abstract, so you could also cross to the other side of the city to see Einstein Brunnen. This bizarre fountain has a sculpture of Einstein's head sticking out of it, with his tongue sticking out of his mouth.
You don't need to be an Einstein to figure out how to get to Ulm. Numerous bus companies provide routes to Ulm from cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, Krakow, and Paris. The German train network, Deutsche Bahn, also connects Ulm to various destinations by rail.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Ulm?
Main departure station: Train Station
Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 4 stops and stations in Ulm where you can board the train.
All train stations in Ulm:
Train Station
Ulm-Donautal
Ulm-Söflingen
Ulm Ost
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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