There are 11 ways to get from Reading to Essen by train (Eurostar), bus, car, car train, train, plane, or car ferry
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train via London
best- Take the train from Reading to London Paddingtontrain
- Take the train from London St Pancras Intl to Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Miditrain Eil
- Take the train from Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi to Essen Hbftrain
7h 44m€206–398Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Reading RailAir to Heathrow Terminal 2bus Ra1
- Take the bus from London Victoria to Essen central train stationbus N380 / ...
15h 25m€80–127Drive, Eurotunnel
- Drive from Reading to Folkestonecar
- Take the cartrain from Folkestone to Calais-Fréthuncartrain
- Drive from Calais-Fréthun to Essencar
6h 32m€228–277Train to London Heathrow Airport, fly to Düsseldorf International Airport
- Take the train from Reading to Hayes And Harlington Stationtrain
- Fly from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane LHR - DUS
4h 48m€94–308Train
- Take the train from Reading to London Paddingtontrain
- Take the train from London St. Pancras Int. to Brussel-Zuidtrain
- Take the train from Bruxelles Midi to Essen Hbftrain Tha
8h 18m€152–333Drive, car ferry
- Drive from Reading to Port of Dovercar
- Take the carferry from Port of Dover to Calaiscarferry
- Drive from Calais to Essencar
7h 41m€116–209Train to London Gatwick Airport, fly to Düsseldorf International Airport
- Take the train from Reading to Gatwick Airporttrain
- Fly from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane LGW - DUS
5h 33m€95–248Train to Birmingham Airport, fly to Düsseldorf International Airport
- Take the train from Reading to Birmingham Internationaltrain
- Fly from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane BHX - DUS
5h 26m€139–295Train to London Gatwick Airport, fly to Cologne Bonn Airport, train
- Take the train from Reading to Gatwick Airporttrain
- Fly from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)plane LGW - CGN
- Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Essen Hbftrain
6h 21m€109–286Train to London Stansted Airport, fly to Cologne Bonn Airport, train
- Take the train from Reading to London Paddingtontrain
- Fly from London Stansted Airport (STN) to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)plane STN - CGN
- Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Essen Hbftrain
6h 40m€99–375Train, train to Luton Airport, fly to Dortmund Airport
- Take the train from Reading to London Paddingtontrain
- Take the train from Farringdon to Luton Airport Parkwaytrain
- Fly from Luton Airport (LTN) to Dortmund Airport (DTM)plane LTN - DTM
6h 33m€88–292
Reading to Essen by train and subway
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Reading to Essen is to bus which costs €80 - €130 and takes 15h 25m.
The fastest way to get from Reading to Essen is to train and fly which takes 4h 48m and costs €90 - €310.
No, there is no direct bus from Reading to Essen station. However, there are services departing from Reading RailAir and arriving at Essen central train station via Heathrow Central Bus Station and London Victoria. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 15h 25m.
No, there is no direct train from Reading to Essen. However, there are services departing from Reading and arriving at Essen Hbf via Paddington, London St Pancras Intl and Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 44m.
The distance between Reading and Essen is 735 km.
The best way to get from Reading to Essen without a car is to train via London which takes 7h 44m and costs €200 - €400.
It takes approximately 7h 44m to get from Reading to Essen, including transfers.
Reading to Essen bus services, operated by RailAir, depart from Reading RailAir station.
Reading to Essen train services, operated by Great Western Railway (GWR), depart from Reading station.
The best way to get from Reading to Essen is to train via London which takes 7h 44m and costs €200 - €400. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €80 - €130 and takes 15h 25m.
What companies run services between Reading, England and Essen, Germany?
You can take a train from Reading to Essen Hbf via London Paddington, Paddington, King's Cross St. Pancras station, London St Pancras Intl, and Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi in around 7h 44m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Reading RailAir to Essen central train station via Heathrow Terminal 2, Heathrow Central Bus Station, London Victoria Coach Station Arrivals, and London Victoria in around 15h 25m.
- Website
- eurowings.com
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Düsseldorf International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €70–220
Flights from Birmingham Airport to Düsseldorf International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €70–190
Flights from London Gatwick Airport to Cologne Bonn Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €65–170
- Phone
- +44 (0)345 7000 125
- gwr.feedback@gwr.com
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
Train from Reading to London Paddington
- Ave. Duration
- 41 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- €18–35
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
Train from Reading to Hayes And Harlington Station
- Ave. Duration
- 28 min
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- €13–24
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
Train from Reading to London Paddington
- Ave. Duration
- 41 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- €18–35
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
Train from Reading to Gatwick Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €27–50
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
Train from Reading to Gatwick Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €27–50
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
Train from Reading to London Paddington
- Ave. Duration
- 41 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- €18–35
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
Train from Reading to London Paddington
- Ave. Duration
- 41 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- €18–35
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
- Phone
- +44 345 646 0707
- Website
- RailAir
Bus from Reading RailAir to Heathrow Terminal 2
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- €30–40
- Website
- RailAir
- Phone
- +353 818 300 400
- info@irishferries.fr
- Website
- Irish Ferries
Car ferry from Port of Dover to Calais
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- €22–65
- Website
- Irish Ferries
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
Travelling to the UK: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
The London Underground: Essential tips to navigate the Tube
Read the travel guide
How do I buy a London Underground ticket?
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Reading to Essen bus services, operated by RailAir, arrive at Heathrow Terminal 2 station.
Essen is 1h ahead of Reading. It is currently 5:19 PM in Reading and 6:19 PM in Essen.
Reading to Essen train services, operated by Great Western Railway (GWR), arrive at London Paddington station.
Book your Reading to Essen train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Reading to Essen bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 2779+ hotels available in Essen.









