There are 8 ways to get from Essen to Berlin by train, bus, rideshare, car or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Train • 3h 47m
25€ - 130€
Cheapest option
Rideshare • 5h 43m
18€ - 35€
6 alternative options
Train via Braunschweig • 6h 40m
Bus • 8h 5m
27€ - 35€
Drive • 4h 37m
55€ - 85€
Train to Dusseldorf, fly • 3h 36m
34€ - 227€
Train to Cologne Bonn, fly • 4h 28m
51€ - 169€
Train to Frankfurt, fly • 4h 46m
112€ - 303€
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COVID-19 help in Germany
If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 116 117
Frequently Asked Questions
There are currently travel restrictions within Germany.
Explore options for future travelDomestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply
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- There is a social distancing requirement of 1.5 metres
- Observe COVID-19 safety rules
- Domestic border crossings may be subject to approval, testing and quarantine
The national COVID-19 helpline number in Berlin is 116 117.
Wearing a face mask on public transport in Berlin is mandatory.
The social distance requirement in Berlin is 1.5 metres.
Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 116 117.
Last updated: 2 Mar 2021
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Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Essen to Berlin is to rideshare which costs 18€ - 35€ and takes 5h 43m.
The quickest way to get from Essen to Berlin is to train and fly which costs 30€ - 230€ and takes 3h 36m.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Essen and arriving at Berlin, Berlin central bus station station. Services depart once daily, and operate Tuesday and Saturday. The journey takes approximately 8h 5m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Essen Hbf and arriving at Berlin Hbf. Services depart hourly, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 3h 47m.
It is 454 km from Essen to Berlin. It is approximately 525.7 km to drive.
The best way to get from Essen to Berlin without a car is to train which takes 3h 47m and costs 25€ - 130€.
The train from Essen Hbf to Berlin Hbf takes 3h 47m including transfers and departs hourly.
Essen to Berlin bus services, operated by FlixBus, depart from Essen station.
Essen to Berlin train services, operated by Deutsche Bahn Intercity-Express, depart from Essen Hbf station.
The best way to get from Essen to Berlin is to train which takes 3h 47m and costs 25€ - 130€. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs 27€ - 35€ and takes 8h 5m.
- Distance: 453.7 km
- Duration: 3h 47m
What companies run services between Essen, Germany and Berlin, Germany?
Deutsche Bahn Intercity-Express operates a train from Essen Hbf to Berlin Hbf hourly. Tickets cost 85€ - 120€ and the journey takes 3h 47m. Two other operators also service this route. Alternatively, FlixBus operates a bus from Essen to Berlin, Berlin central bus station once daily. Tickets cost 27€ - 35€ and the journey takes 8h 5m.
- Website
- eurowings.com
Flights from Dusseldorf to Berlin Brandenburg Apt
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 30€ - 180€
Flights from Cologne Bonn to Berlin Brandenburg Apt
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 30€ - 140€
- Website
- lufthansa.com
Flights from Dusseldorf to Berlin Brandenburg Apt via Munich
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- 110€ - 340€
Flights from Cologne Bonn to Berlin Brandenburg Apt via Munich
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 20m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- 110€ - 450€
Flights from Frankfurt to Berlin Brandenburg Apt
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 80€ - 380€
Flights from Frankfurt to Berlin Brandenburg Apt via Munich
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 58m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 85€ - 390€
Flights from Frankfurt to Berlin Brandenburg Apt via Zurich
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 65€ - 360€
- Website
- easyjet.com
Flights from Dusseldorf to Berlin Brandenburg Apt
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Thursday
- Estimated price
- 35€ - 160€
Flights from Cologne Bonn to Berlin Brandenburg Apt
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Tuesday
- Estimated price
- 40€ - 180€
- Website
- klm.com
Flights from Dusseldorf to Berlin Brandenburg Apt via Amsterdam Schiphol
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 90€ - 300€
- Website
- swiss.com
Flights from Frankfurt to Berlin Brandenburg Apt via Zurich
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 65€ - 360€
German rail company Deutsche Bahn is known for its efficient and comfortable service. It offers many different types of rail transportation, including ICE or Intercity-Express for high-speed services between major cities and regions, IC (InterCity) for long-distance trains, RE (Regional Express) trains that connect regions and cities, and the S-Bahn rapid transit service. There are two main tickets on offer: the Flexpreis that has full flexibility, and the Sparpreis which is the cheaper, advanced fare (bookings usually open 6 months in advance for domestic tickets).
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 0180 6 99 66 33
- Website
- bahn.com
Train from Essen Hbf to Berlin Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 47m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- 85€ - 120€
- Website
- Deutsche Bahn
Train from Braunschweig Hbf to Berlin Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 27m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- 40€ - 60€
- Website
- Deutsche Bahn
Train from Essen Hbf to Duesseldorf Flughafen
- Ave. Duration
- 21 min
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- 15€ - 21€
- Website
- Deutsche Bahn
Train from Essen Hbf to Koeln/Bonn Flughafen
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 33m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- 24€ - 35€
- Website
- Deutsche Bahn
Train from Essen Hbf to Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- 45€ - 70€
- Website
- Deutsche Bahn
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Deutsche Bahn’s high-speed InterCity (IC) trains connect cities within Germany. They’re a popular way to travel as they’re faster than Deutsche Bahn’s regional trains and offer a frequent, fast service. All IC trains have first and second class carriages, power sockets and toilets, and most have a bistro cafe or restaurant. Tickets can be booked up to 180 days in advance of travel.
Contact Details
- Website
- bahn.com
Train from Essen Hbf to Berlin Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 9m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- 90€ - 130€
- Website
- reiseauskunft.bahn.de
Train from Braunschweig Hbf to Berlin Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 25m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- 55€ - 80€
- Website
- reiseauskunft.bahn.de
Train from Essen Hbf to Duesseldorf Flughafen
- Ave. Duration
- 24 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- 30€ - 50€
- Website
- reiseauskunft.bahn.de
Train from Essen Hbf to Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 59m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- 60€ - 85€
- Website
- reiseauskunft.bahn.de
- Phone
- +49 1807 123 99 123
- info@flixbus.de
- Website
- flixtrain.com
Train from Essen Hbf to Berlin Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 7m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- 25€ - 35€
- Website
- Flixtrain
- Phone
- 0221 13 999 444
- Website
- nationalexpress.de
Train from Essen Hbf to Loehne(Westf)
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 44m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- 30€ - 45€
- Website
- National Express Rail
Train from Essen Hbf to Duesseldorf Flughafen
- Ave. Duration
- 24 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- 8€ - 11€
- Website
- National Express Rail
Train from Essen Hbf to Koeln/Bonn Flughafen
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 32m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- 21€ - 26€
- Website
- National Express Rail
- Phone
- +49 521 55777755
- info@westfalenbahn.de
- Website
- westfalenbahn.de
Train from Loehne(Westf) to Braunschweig Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 1m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Website
- WestfalenBahn GmbH
- Phone
- 0800 223 5546
- Website
- abellio.de
Train from Essen Hbf to Duesseldorf Flughafen
- Ave. Duration
- 22 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Website
- Abellio
Train from Essen Hbf to Koeln/Bonn Flughafen
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 23m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Website
- Abellio
Deutsche Bahn’s regional network is made up of IRE (Interregio-Express), RE (Regional-Express), RB (Regionalbahn) and S-Bahn trains. Ticket prices are fixed and there’s no seat reservations – just turn up, buy a ticket and jump on the next train. All regional trains depart regularly and connect to local and long-distance services.
Contact Details
- Website
- bahn.com
Train from Essen Hauptbahnhof to D-Flughafen Bf
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Every 20 minutes
- Estimated price
- 6€ - 9€
- Website
- reiseauskunft.bahn.de
- Phone
- 0800 2235546
- Website
- abellio.de
Train from Essen Hbf to Düsseldorf Flughafen
- Ave. Duration
- 22 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Website
- ABELLIO Rail
- Phone
- 0800 223 5546
- Website
- abellio.de
Train from Essen Hauptbahnhof to D-Flughafen Bf
- Ave. Duration
- 28 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Website
- Abellio NRW
- Phone
- +49 209 1584-0
- info@vrr.de
- Website
- vrr.de
Train from Essen Hauptbahnhof to D-Flughafen Bf
- Ave. Duration
- 22 min
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- 2€
- Website
- VRR
- Phone
- 0180 6 9 27 37 27
- info@eurobahn.de
- Website
- eurobahn.de
Train from Essen Hbf to Duesseldorf Flughafen
- Ave. Duration
- 22 min
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- 2€ - 4€
- Website
- eurobahn.de
One of Europe’s leading bus companies, Flixbus serves 2000+ destinations in 29 countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands and Croatia and into Scandinavia and eastern Europe, as well as some US cities. Coaches have toilets, free WiFi and power outlets, plus snacks and drinks for purchase on board. Flixbus is a good choice for the budget-conscious traveller; purchase tickets in advance for the cheapest fares (note: there is no option to reserve a seat in advance).
Rome2rio's guide to FlixBus
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 1807 123 99 123
- info@flixbus.de
- Website
- flixbus.de
Bus from Essen to Berlin, Berlin central bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- 27€ - 35€
- Website
- flixbus.co.uk
Blablacar is a popular ridesharing platform with 70 million users over 22 (mostly European) countries. The basic idea is that you carpool with locals who are already planning to drive your route and have space in their car. With some flexibility, you’ll get to your destination often faster and cheaper than other means. On the website or app, enter your departure and arrival points and your date of travel, sift through the profiles of drivers who’ve posted pre-planned drives and find one whose timing and preferences match yours. Request to join the ride, wait to be accepted, and pay your share of the set price.
Rome2rio's guide to BlaBlaCar
Contact Details
- Website
- blablacar.com
Rideshare from Essen to Berlin
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 43m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- 18€ - 35€
- Book at
- blablacar.co.uk
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.
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Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
The quickest flight from Dusseldorf Airport to Berlin Brandenburg Apt Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 15m.
Essen to Berlin bus services, operated by FlixBus, arrive at Berlin, Berlin central bus station.
Essen to Berlin train services, operated by Deutsche Bahn Intercity-Express, arrive at Berlin Hbf station.
Yes, the driving distance between Essen to Berlin is 526 km. It takes approximately 4h 37m to drive from Essen to Berlin.
easyJet, Lufthansa, KLM and Eurowings offer flights from Dusseldorf Airport to Berlin Brandenburg Apt Airport.
Book your Essen to Berlin train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Essen to Berlin bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.
There are 4193+ hotels available in Berlin. Prices start at 75€ per night.