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Trip Summary
104 trains operate daily from Essen to Kaiserslautern. The train trip from Essen to Kaiserslautern is usually about 5 hours and 23 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company train can get you there in as little as 3 hours and 54 minutes.
| Distance | 143 mi (230 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 54m |
| Lowest price | $41.27 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn |
| Train lines | 3 |
Train service from Essen to Kaiserslautern
- DB Intercity-Express tickets: $83 one-way
- Deutsche Bahn tickets: $41 one-way
- Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company tickets: $57 one-way
Which train should you take from Essen to Kaiserslautern?
There are 3 train lines with service from Essen to Kaiserslautern. Deutsche Bahn is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 60 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Intercity-Express | 2 | 4h 23m | $82.65 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 60 | 5h 27m | $80.32 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 45 | 5h 20m | $76.25 |
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 Essen to Kaiserslautern start from $57, and on average cost . Daily there are 45 Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company schedules to Kaiserslautern. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company in Essen leaves from Train Station . And in Kaiserslautern trains arrive at Train Station and 5 other train stations.
From Essen to Kaiserslautern train travel on Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company takes 5 hours and 20 minutes. If you are looking to get to Kaiserslautern faster, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 54 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Essen and Kaiserslautern is approximately 143 miles, or 230 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 23 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 Essen to Kaiserslautern are the most crowded on Thursday. 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 1:00am 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 104 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 Kaiserslautern to Essen.
City Information
Kaiserslautern
Kaiserslautern is a historic city in Germany whose founding dates to the 9th century. The area hosted a hunting retreat for Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in the 12th century. It is now one of the country’s cultural centers, filled with artistic, historical, and outdoorsy attractions.
History fans will love visiting the remains of two medieval castles in Kaiserslautern: the Burg Hohenecken and Nanstein Castle, a bit further out of town. Another popular spot to visit is the city's Japanese garden, complete with a teahouse and koi ponds. The Gartenschau Kaiserslautern is another park, and it appeals especially to kids with its inventive playgrounds and enormous dinosaur models. Finally, the nearby Palatinate Forest offers gorgeous scenery along its many hiking paths.
Kaiserslautern is located between Frankfurt and Germany's border with France, so even though it is not a major metropolis, it is easy to travel to Kaiserslautern. Over 30 intercity bus routes arrive daily in the city, operated by FlixBus, Sindbad, and Union Ivkoni. You can also travel by train, thanks to Deutsche Bahn's connections to many cities throughout Europe.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Essen?
Image credit: wwwuppertal
Link to image attributionMain departure 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
Where is the train station in Kaiserslautern?
Main arrival station: Train Station
There are more train stations and stops in Kaiserslautern than most cities. Most trains from Essen will stop at one (or more) of the 6 following stations in Kaiserslautern:
All train stations in Kaiserslautern:
Train Station
Kennelgarten
Einsiedlerhof
Vogelweh
K3
Kaiserslautern West
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