How much is the train ticket from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?

The cheapest train tickets from Frankfurt am Main to Essen start at $27. The average price for this train route is around $135. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance to increase your chances of getting the lowest possible price.

How long is the train ride from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?

The average train trip from Frankfurt am Main to Essen takes 2h 37m and covers 191 km. The quickest train gets you there in 1h 53m and is operated by Deutsche Bahn ICE .

Which train operators serve the Frankfurt am Main to Essen route?

Several major train operators serve this route, with 48 trains available per day, including services from Deutsche Bahn ICE , Deutsche Bahn , FlixTrain , FlixBus .

What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?

The earliest train from Frankfurt am Main to Essen departs at 6:00am. The latest train departs at 8:09pm.

What is the best train operator from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?

According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated train operator on this route is Deutsche Bahn ICE , with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars based on 10 reviews.

Which train operator has the best Wi-Fi from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?

Based on reviews on Busbud, the train operator Deutsche Bahn has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.4.

Which train operator has the best on-time performance from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?

According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual train operator on this route is FlixBus , with a punctuality rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.

Which train operator has the cleanest trains from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?

According to Busbud traveller reviews, the train operator with the cleanest trains on this route is Deutsche Bahn ICE , with a cleanliness rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Train Frankfurt am Main to Essen from $26 | Refundable Tickets

Next departures

Next departures for Frankfurt am Main to Essen on December 6
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Flixbus + Flixtrain	2:30am	Frankfurt Hbf	4h 31m	7:01am	HBF	CheapestFastest
Flixbus + Flixtrain	6:15am	Frankfurt Hbf	4h 47m	11:02am	HBF	No tags
Flixbus + Flixtrain	1:40am	FRA Frankfurt airport	5h 21m	7:01am	HBF	No tags
Flixbus + Flixtrain	2:30am	FRA Frankfurt airport	5h 22m	7:52am	HBF	No tags

Next departures for Frankfurt am Main to Essen on December 7
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
Flixbus + Flixtrain		4:15am	Frankfurt Hbf	4h 49m	9:04am	HBF	CheapestFastest

Next departures for Frankfurt am Main to Essen on December 8
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Flixbus + Flixtrain	2:30am	FRA Frankfurt airport	5h 22m	7:52am	HBF	Cheapest
Flixbus + Flixtrain	4:15am	Frankfurt Hbf	4h 47m	9:02am	HBF	Fastest
Flixbus + Flixtrain	2:30am	Frankfurt Hbf	5h 22m	7:52am	HBF	No tags

Next departures for Frankfurt am Main to Essen on December 9
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
Flixbus + Flixtrain		4:15am	Frankfurt Hbf	4h 47m	9:02am	HBF	CheapestFastest

Next departures for Frankfurt am Main to Essen on December 11
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Flixbus + Flixtrain	4:15am	Frankfurt Hbf	4h 47m	9:02am	HBF	CheapestFastest
Flixbus + Flixtrain	10:30am	Frankfurt Hbf	5h 22m	3:52pm	HBF	No tags
Flixbus + Flixtrain	9:50am	FRA Frankfurt airport	6h 2m	3:52pm	HBF	No tags

Next departures for Frankfurt am Main to Essen on December 12
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Flixbus + Flixtrain	2:30am	Frankfurt Hbf	5h 22m	7:52am	HBF	Cheapest
Flixbus + Flixtrain	1:40am	FRA Frankfurt airport	5h 21m	7:01am	HBF	Fastest
Flixbus + Flixtrain	10:30am	Frankfurt Hbf	5h 22m	3:52pm	HBF	No tags
Flixbus + Flixtrain	2:30am	FRA Frankfurt airport	5h 22m	7:52am	HBF	No tags
Flixbus + Flixtrain	9:50am	FRA Frankfurt airport	6h 2m	3:52pm	HBF	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 12:17 AM CET.

Compare 3 ways to go from Frankfurt am Main to Essen

We recommend carpooling

Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as a good way to reach Essen. The journey takes about 2 hours 30 minutes, and with fares starting at just $17, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

24carpool per day

2h 30mAverage Duration

190 kmDistance

8kgCO₂ emissions

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$27 - $172	Average Duration20h 15m	CO₂ emissions 5kg CO₂e
Train	Average Price$27 - $323	Average Duration2h 37m	CO₂ emissions 5kg CO₂e
Carpool	Average Price$17 - $44	Average Duration2h 30m	CO₂ emissions 8kg CO₂e

Where are the popular train stations and stops in Frankfurt am Main and Essen?

Frankfurt am Main

A
Südbahnhof
Hedderichstraße 51, 60594 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Visit page
B
Frankfurt Airport
Visit page

Essen

A
HBF
Am Hauptbahnhof 27, 45127 Essen, Germany
Visit page
B
Essen Hauptbahnhof Freiheit
Freiheit 5A, 45127 Essen, Germany
Visit page

Train companies

Deutsche Bahn ICE

4/510 reviews

Timeliness2.5

Cleanliness5

Deutsche Bahn

4/56 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness2.5

Cleanliness3.4

Wifi3.4

FlixTrain

3/517 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness2.8

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi1.1

FlixBus

3.5/511,528 reviews

Staff4.2

Timeliness3.9

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.7

DE train and bus companies:Amtrak, Trenitalia, Deutsche Bahn, Renfe, Deutsche Bahn ICE, VIA Rail Canada, RegioJet

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Frankfurt am Main to Essen by train

Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.

How much is the train ticket from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?
The cheapest train tickets from Frankfurt am Main to Essen start at $27. The average price for this train route is around $135. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance to increase your chances of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the train ride from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?
The average train trip from Frankfurt am Main to Essen takes 2h 37m and covers 191 km. The quickest train gets you there in 1h 53m and is operated by Deutsche Bahn ICE.
Which train operators serve the Frankfurt am Main to Essen route?
Several major train operators serve this route, with 48 trains available per day, including services from Deutsche Bahn ICE, Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, FlixBus.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?
The earliest train from Frankfurt am Main to Essen departs at 6:00am. The latest train departs at 8:09pm.
What is the best train operator from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated train operator on this route is Deutsche Bahn ICE, with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars based on 10 reviews.
Which train operator has the best Wi-Fi from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the train operator Deutsche Bahn has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.4.
Which train operator has the best on-time performance from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual train operator on this route is FlixBus, with a punctuality rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.
Which train operator has the cleanest trains from Frankfurt am Main to Essen?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the train operator with the cleanest trains on this route is Deutsche Bahn ICE, with a cleanliness rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Find cheapest prices for trains

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

12-03

$51

12-04

$48

Today

$61

12-06

No data

12-07

$26

12-08

No data

12-09

No data

12-10

No data

The cheapest trip from Frankfurt am Main to Essen was searched and found on Dec 7, 2025 with a price of $26

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from Frankfurt am Main to Essen, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $26 to $235 for a train ticket from Frankfurt am Main to Essen based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $26 which is on 2025-12-07.

Usually Deutsche Bahn ICE will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.