The cheapest and fastest trains from Munich to Essen
Cheapest price
$164
Average price
$169
Fastest journey
5 h 12 m
Average duration
5 h 26 m
Trains per day
6
Distance
493 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Munich to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Munich to Essen will cost around $169 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only $164.
Of the 6 trains that leave Munich for Essen every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 493 km distance in an average of 5 h 26 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 12 m .
The slowest trains will take 5 h 48 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
ICE 568 · ICE 578 · ICE 314 · IC 2200
ICE 724
ICE 1010
ICE 690 · ICE 200
ICE 568 · ICE 578 · ICE 314 · RE 26821
ICE 690 · ICE 200
ICE 1010
ICE 724
ICE 568 · ICE 578 · ICE 314 · IC 2200
ICE 568 · ICE 578 · ICE 314 · RE 26821Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Munich to Essen
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Munich to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from $31. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 11m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of $31, and a flight costs an average of $73.
Distance: 493 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$153 Average Price | $53 Average Price Cheapest | $197 Average Price |
6h 16m Average total duration 5h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 15m Average total duration 12h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 11m Average total duration Fastest 1h 11m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | 1.5 - 3.0kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Munich to Essen train times
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 882 · RE 26718 | On time 7:17 am Munich Hbf | 6h28 | 1:45 pm Essen Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 1010 | On time 7:27 am Munich Hbf | 5h13 | 12:40 pm Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 690 · ICE 200 | On time 7:46 am Munich Hbf | 5h12 | 12:58 pm Essen Hbf | 1 change | |
ICE 724 | On time 7:47 am Munich Hbf | 5h15 | 1:02 pm Essen Hbf | 0 changesdirect | |
ICE 568 · ICE 578 · ICE 314 · RE 26821 | On time 8:02 am Munich Hbf | 5h48 | 1:50 pm Essen Hbf | 3 changes | |
ICE 568 · ICE 578 · ICE 314 · IC 2200 | On time 8:02 am Munich Hbf | 5h41 | 1:43 pm Essen Hbf | 4 changes | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Munich to Essen by train, coach or flight
05 Nov
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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Munich to Essen?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Munich to Essen
Distance 493 km |
Average train duration 5h 46m |
Cheapest ticket price $22 |
Trains per day 15 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 5h 12m |
First train 00:01 |
Last train 23:57 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn from Munich to Essen trainsDeutsche Bahn trains will get you between Munich and Essen from $22. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Deutsche Bahn
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.
FAQs: Munich to Essen train

Passengers board the train most frequently from Munich Hbf, which is located around away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Essen Hbf, located away from the city centre.
popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Munich and Essen
- Mon - Sun: 07:00 - 21:00
- Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes.
- The station has luggage lockers.
- Cantina Estación Mediterrano
- Rischart Bakery
- Ditsch Pretzels
- backWERK
- Cafe-Shop
- Le Crobag
- Yorma's
- Coffee Fellows
- Dunkin Donuts
- McDonald's
- & many more
- Accessibility equipment, elevators, & mobility service. Contact the Mobility Service Centre at +49 3065212888 or [email protected].
- a&o München Hauptbahnhof
- IntercityHotel München
- Sofitel Munich Bayerpost
- There is an information desk located on the main concourse near the food court.
- Monday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Tuesday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Wednesday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Thursday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Saturday: 08:00 - 18:00
- Sunday: 08:00 - 18:00
- Haidhauser Augustiner
- Burger King
- Tassilogarten
- Mitani
- Hilton Munich City
- MOMA1890
- Mk Hotel
- Hotel Pension Christl
- Augustiner Bräustuben
- Lenz
- Das Bad
- Subway
- Theresienhöhe
- Hotel Schweiz
- Hotel Uhland
- Germania
- Ratskeller
- Klenze 17
- Trachtenvogl Café-Lounge
- Burger King
- Unsöld's Factory Hotel
- Hotel Domus
- Hotel Mercure München Altstadt
- Hotel Herzog Wilhelm Tannenbaum Nebengebäude
- Monday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Tuesday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Wednesday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Thursday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
- Saturday: 08:00 - 18:00
- Sunday: 08:00 - 18:00
- Burger King
- McDonald's
- Hunsinger in der Goldenen Gans
- Orexi Taverna
- Guenstigwohnen24.de
- Jagdschloss Residenz
- Hotel Miano
- Monday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Thursday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Friday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Saturday: 09:00 - 18:00
- Sunday: 09:00 - 18:00
- Bollywood Express - Pizza & More
- Kiepenkerl
- Cafe Extrablatt
- Tacos
- Ambassador
- Gästearpartment Dahl
- WG-Hotel im Unperfekthaus
- Motel One
- Bootshaus Ruhreck
- Da Vinici
- Asia-Nudeln
- Bacchos
- Zur Guten Quelle
- Hotel Töff-Töff
- Budike
- Döbbe
- Der Bonner Hof
- Pino's Bar & Restaurant und Eventlocation
- Pizza Pasta
- Bollywood Express - Pizza & More
- Haus Wilmes
- Mana Mana
- Karawane
- Webers
- Pizzeria Don Camillo
- Lindos
- Zur Platte
- Arman Döner
- McDreams
- Burger King
- Werner
- Bückmannsmühle
- Muckel-Eis
Most popular train connections from Munich
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