Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Hamburg to Essen. Traveling by train from Hamburg to Essen usually takes 3 hours and 40 minutes, but the fastest Deutsche Bahn train can make the trip in 2 hours and 29 minutes.
| Distance | 103 mi (165 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 29m |
| Lowest price | $27.96 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Hamburg to Essen?
2 train services operate from Hamburg to Essen. Deutsche Bahn usually has more trains scheduled, with 2 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Intercity-Express | 2 | 5h 19m | $42.72 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 2 | 2h 42m | $50.42 |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trains from Hamburg to Essen 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 Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Hamburg at 5:00pm while the last train of the day leaves at 10:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Trains leave the station in Hamburg 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.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Essen to Hamburg.
City Information
Hamburg
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Hamburg might be often overshadowed by Berlin or Munich, but it certainly is one of Germany’s best hidden gems. A vibrant harbor city with plenty of activities, Hamburg will keep you interested through days and nights. Among the city’s most famous attractions is the Elbphilharmonie, a stunning concert hall that could rival the famous Sydney Opera House. The concert hall also features a public viewing platform that offers a panoramic view of the city and the harbor, a great bonus for visitors who enjoy taking pictures. If you travel with kids, it is a great idea to take them to the Miniatur Wunderland, which many consider to be the largest model railway in the world. If you simply want to take a walk around and enjoy the vibe of the city, Planten und Blomen, nicknamed “the green lungs of the city”, will provide the reprieve you need.
Hamburg’s proximity to the sea allows it to offer the freshest and finest seafood dishes around. Fischereihafen Restaurant is a local favorite that has garnered plenty of attention. For the best beers around, Braugasthaus Altes Mädchen is a popular spot that is worth your attention.
The main bus station in the city is called ZOB Hamburg and it’s located at Adenauerallee 78 in the city center, serving FlixBus and Sindbad, among other carriers. Hamburg Hauptbahnhof is the main railway station in the city. For international air services, Hamburg Airport, the oldest in Germany, is the main airport.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Hamburg?
Image credit: Jo.Fruechtnicht
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Hamburg Train Station
Although it could be mistaken for a church with its clock tower and arched, windowed facade, the Hamburg Train Station (or Hauptbahnhof) is a bustling hub for intercity trains throughout Germany and into other countries in Europe. Originally opened in 1906, the current station welcomes about 480,000 passengers every day. These passengers travel on Deutsche Bahn and FlixTrain intercity trains, as well as S-Bahn (suburban railway) and U-Bahn (underground railway) trains that run throughout Hamburg. Inside the vast station, you'll find shops, cafes, and the Wandelhalle shopping center in the northern section of the complex.
All train stations in Hamburg:
Hamburg Train Station
Where is the train station in Essen?
Main arrival station: Essen(Oldb)
Essen (Oldb) is a small train station in the village of Essen in northern Germany, to the south of Bremen. The station itself serves one regional line, the RE18, that frequently runs to Osnabrück and Wilhelmshaven, from where you can find regular connections into Bremen. Although the station is small and without amenities, the village of Essen has a few restaurants and a supermarket not far from the station where you can find supplies before you travel. There is also parking directly outside the station, and local bus stops for getting around the village.
All train stations in Essen:
Essen(Oldb)
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Essen to Hamburg?
Search Train Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more