Rome2Rio

How to get fromCardiff to Essenby train (Eurostar), bus, car, car train, plane, car ferry or train

Find Transport to Essen

See all options

There are 10 ways to get from Cardiff to Essen by train (Eurostar), bus, car, car train, plane, car ferry, or train

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Train

    best
    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to London Paddingtontrain train
    2. Take the train from London St Pancras Intl to Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Miditrain train Eil
    3. Take the train from Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi to Essen Hbftrain train
    9h
    €185–493

  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Cardiff North Road to London Victoriabus bus Uk042 / ...
    2. Take the bus from London Victoria to Duisburg central train stationbus bus N1328
    18h 15m
    €52–89

  3. Bus via Dortmund

    1. Take the bus from Park Place to London Victoria Coach Station Arrivalsbus bus 507 / ...
    2. Take the bus from LONDON, Victoria Coach Station-Departure Hall to DORTMUND, Hbf Nordseite, Steinstrassebus bus
    17h 33m
    €69–184

  4. Drive, Eurotunnel

    1. Drive from Cardiff to Folkestonecar car
    2. Take the car train from Folkestone to Calais-Fréthuncartrain train
    3. Drive from Calais-Fréthun to Essencar car
    8h 24m

  5. Fly Cardiff Airport to Düsseldorf International Airport

    1. Fly from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane plane CWL - DUS
    7h 27m
    €106–324

  6. Drive, car ferry

    1. Drive from Cardiff to Port of Dovercar car
    2. Take the car ferry from Port of Dover to Calaiscarferry car ferry
    3. Drive from Calais to Essencar car
    9h 38m
    €150–226

  7. Train to Bristol Airport, fly to Düsseldorf International Airport

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain train
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane plane BRS - DUS
    7h 13m
    €93–265

  8. Train to Birmingham Airport, fly to Düsseldorf International Airport

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Streettrain train
    2. Fly from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane plane BHX - DUS
    6h 14m
    €103–341

  9. Train to London Heathrow Airport, fly to Düsseldorf International Airport

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to London Paddingtontrain train
    2. Fly from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane plane LHR - DUS
    6h 16m
    €130–372

  10. Train to London Heathrow Airport, fly to Cologne Bonn Airport, train

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to London Paddingtontrain train
    2. Fly from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)plane plane LHR - CGN
    3. Take the train from Köln Hbf to Essen Hbftrain train
    6h 58m
    €149–466

Cardiff to Essen by train and subway

Calendar14Weekly Services
Duration9hAverage Duration
Ticket€185Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Cardiff, Wales and Essen, Germany?

You can take a train from Cardiff Central to Essen Hbf via London Paddington, Paddington, King's Cross St. Pancras station, London St Pancras Intl, and Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi in around 9h. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Park Place to Essen central train station via London Victoria Coach Station Arrivals, LONDON, Victoria Coach Station-Departure Hall, and Dortmund central bus station in around 17h 33m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators

Want to know more about travelling around Germany

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

More Questions & Answers

Trips from Cardiff

Trips to Essen

Popular routes