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Travelling from London to Essen by train

Looking to travel from London to Essen by train? You've come to the right place!

On average, it takes around 8 hours 58 minutes to travel from London to Essen by train, the fastest services can get you there in as little as 5 hours 31 minutes though. You'll usually find 19 trains per day running along the 305 miles (491 km) route between these two destinations. You’ll need to make 2 changes during the journey to Essen, as there currently aren't any direct services on this route.

Plan your trip ahead of time and book early if you want to snap up the cheapest fares. Tickets from London to Essen start from £167.76 when you book in advance, so use our Journey Planner to view the latest prices.

If you’re feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to Essen by train, including our timetable where you can view first and last train times.

London to Essen by train

It takes an average of 8h 58m to travel from London to Essen by train, over a distance of around 305 miles (491 km). There are normally 19 trains per day travelling from London to Essen and tickets for this journey start from £167.76 when you book in advance.

First train

06:16

Last train

20:01

Departure station

London

Arrival station

Essen

Journey time

From 5h 31m

Distance

305 miles (491 km)

Frequency

19 trains per day

Changes

2 changes

Price

From £167.76

Train and bus operators

Flixbus, BlaBlaCar Bus

London to Essen train times

Check out the next trains departing from London to Essen for Dienstag 26. März 2024. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
DepartsArrivesDuration
11:04 16:47 5h 43m, 3 changes
13:01 18:48 5h 47m, 3 changes
13:01 19:35 6h 34m, 2 changes
15:04 20:55 5h 51m, 4 changes
15:04 21:03 5h 59m, 3 changes
17:01 01:25 8h 24m, 6 changes
17:01 01:48 8h 47m, 5 changes
18:04 04:40 10h 36m, 6 changes
18:04 05:08 11h 4m, 5 changes
18:04 06:10 12h 6m, 4 changes

Cheap train tickets from London to Essen

The price of train tickets from London to Essen starts at £167.76 one-way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. Booking on the day is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or class.

Book in advance

Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from London to Essen by booking early.§

Be flexible with your travel times

Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.

Choose a slower or connecting train

On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!

Look out for special deals

Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.

For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.

§Some train companies may not offer any Advance ticket types or cheaper deals for early bookings. On rare occasions, train companies may choose to release special offers closer to the date on last-minute or late-release tickets. This is dependent on the individual train operating company you travel with.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from London to Essen? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How long does the train from London to Essen take?

The average journey time by train between London and Essen is 8 hours and 58 minutes, with around 19 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between London and Essen by train?

The fastest journey time by train from London to Essen is 5 hours and 31 minutes.

How much does the train from London to Essen cost?

Train ticket prices from London to Essen can start from as little as £167.76 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from London to Essen?

No, there are no direct train services from London to Essen. Travelling from London to Essen by train will require a minimum of 2 changes.

What time does the first train from London to Essen leave?

The first train from London to Essen leaves at 06:16. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from London to Essen leave?

The last train from London to Essen leaves at 20:01. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between London and Essen by train?

Trains travelling from London to Essen cover a distance of around 305 miles (491 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Essen to London. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from London to Essen.

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