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Taking the train from Florence to Essen in 11 hours 30 minutes

Thinking about taking the train from Florence to Essen? We’ve got you covered.

It usually takes around 14 hours 17 minutes to travel the 566 miles (911 km) from Florence to Essen by train, although you can get there in as little as 11 hours 30 minutes on the fastest services. You’ll normally find around 35 trains per day running on this route. You’ll need to make 2 changes along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line.

Train tickets from Florence to Essen are usually cheaper when you book in advance compared to buying them on the day. Start a search in our Journey Planner to check out the latest prices.

Keen to book your train tickets to Essen? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to find out a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train timetable below, tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs, including first and last train times.

Trains to Essen from Florence

First train

00:40

Last train

22:15

Departure stationFlorence
Arrival stationEssen
Journey time

From 11h 30m

Distance

566 miles (911 km)

Frequency

35 trains per day

Changes

2 changes

Train and bus operators

Flixbus

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Florence to Essen?

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

How do you get to Essen from Florence?

To travel to Essen from Florence, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 14 hours and 17 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 11 hours and 30 minutes. Use our Journey Planner to get more information.

How long is the train ride from Florence to Essen?

Trains from Florence to Essen take an average of 14 hours and 17 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 11 hours and 30 minutes. You'll usually find 35 trains per day on this route, so use our Journey Planner to check specific dates as times may vary.

What is the quickest journey time between Florence and Essen by train?

The quickest journey time between Florence and Essen by train is 11 hours and 30 minutes.

Are there direct trains from Florence to Essen?

No, there are no direct trains running from Florence to Essen, you’ll usually need to make at least 2 changes during the journey.

What are the train times from Florence to Essen?

Check out the next trains departing from Florence to Essen for Tuesday 14th October 2025. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
DepartsArrivesDuration
08:5520:5011h 55m, 5 changes
08:5521:4012h 45m, 4 changes
09:2020:5011h 30m, 6 changes
09:2021:4012h 20m, 5 changes
09:5522:2512h 30m, 4 changes
10:1022:2512h 15m, 6 changes
10:2022:2512h 5m, 7 changes
11:5503:0715h 12m, 4 changes
12:2003:0714h 47m, 7 changes
14:5506:0315h 8m, 3 changes

How do I find cheap train tickets from Florence to Essen?

If you’re planning a trip to Europe soon, our Trainline team of experts have put together some tips to help you find cheap tickets. Booking on the day in Europe is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or travel class.

1. Book in advance

The price of train tickets from Florence to Essen starts at § one-way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. Most train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months ahead of time, so if you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find cheaper tickets.

2. Be flexible with your travel times

If you can, consider travelling outside of 'peak hours' (generally between 06:00 - 10:00 and 15:00 - 19:00 on weekdays) as many train companies increase their ticket prices during these commuter times.

3. Buy a rail pass

If you're visiting multiple locations on your trip, buying a rail pass can be cheaper than buying individual tickets. We're official retailers of Interrail Passes that are valid for travel within one country or multiple countries across Europe.

4. Choose a slower or connecting train

On some busier routes, you might have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have some extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare.

5. Look out for train ticket sales and discounts

Many train companies in Europe will often run sales on tickets throughout the year or offer discounts to senior/youth/group travellers, so keep an eye out!

6. Take a night train

Save on accommodation and use the night to travel by sleeper train to your next destination.

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.

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