What is the cheapest way to get from Reading to Essen?

The cheapest way to get from Reading to Essen is to bus which costs €70 - €120 and takes 16h 50m.

What is the fastest way to get from Reading to Essen?

The fastest way to get from Reading to Essen is to train and fly which takes 4h 59m and costs €100 - €290.

Is there a direct bus between Reading and Essen?

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, LONDON, Victoria Coach Station-Departure Hall and Dortmund central bus station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 16h 24m.

Is there a direct train between Reading and Essen?

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 49m.

How far is it from Reading to Essen?

The distance between Reading and Essen is 735 km.

How do I travel from Reading to Essen without a car?

The best way to get from Reading to Essen without a car is to train which takes 7h 49m and costs €220 - €410.

How long does it take to get from Reading to Essen?

It takes approximately 7h 49m to get from Reading to Essen, including transfers.

Where do I catch the Reading to Essen bus from?

Reading to Essen bus services, operated by RailAir, depart from Reading RailAir station.

Where do I catch the Reading to Essen train from?

Reading to Essen train services, operated by Great Western Railway (GWR), depart from Reading station.

Train or bus from Reading to Essen?

The best way to get from Reading to Essen is to train which takes 7h 49m and costs €220 - €410. Alternatively, you can bus via Dortmund, which costs €85 - €160 and takes 16h 24m.

Where does the Reading to Essen bus arrive?

Reading to Essen bus services, operated by RailAir, arrive at Heathrow Terminal 2 station.

What is the time difference between Reading and Essen?

Essen is 1h ahead of Reading. It is currently 10:34 AM in Reading and 11:34 AM in Essen.

Where does the Reading to Essen train arrive?

Reading to Essen train services, operated by Great Western Railway (GWR), arrive at London Paddington station.

How do I get a train ticket from Reading to Essen?

Book your Reading to Essen train tickets online with Omio.

How do I get a bus ticket from Reading to Essen?

Book your Reading to Essen bus tickets online with Omio.

Where can I stay near Essen?

There are 744+ hotels available in Essen.

Reading to Essen - 11 ways to travel via train, bus, car, Eurotunnel, and plane

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
best
1. Take the train from Reading to London Paddingtontrain
2. Take the train from London St Pancras Intl to Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Miditrain Eil
3. Take the train from Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi to Essen Hbftrain
7h 49m
€220–404
Bus
cheapest
1. Take the bus from Reading RailAir to Heathrow Terminal 2bus Ra1
2. Take the bus from London Victoria to Duisburg central train stationbus N1328
16h 50m
€71–113
Bus via Dortmund
1. Take the bus from Reading RailAir to Heathrow Terminal 2bus Ra1
2. Take the bus from LONDON, Victoria Coach Station-Departure Hall to DORTMUND, Hbf Nordseite, Steinstrassebus
16h 24m
€87–160
Drive, Eurotunnel
1. Drive from Reading to Folkestonecar
2. Take the car train from Folkestone to Calais-Fréthuncartrain
3. Drive from Calais-Fréthun to Essencar
6h 32m
Train to London Heathrow Airport, fly to Düsseldorf International Airport
1. Take the train from Reading to London Paddingtontrain
2. Fly from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane LHR - DUS
4h 59m
€102–288
Drive, car ferry
1. Drive from Reading to Port of Dovercar
2. Take the car ferry from Port of Dover to Calaiscarferry
3. Drive from Calais to Essencar
7h 46m
€100–179
Train to London Gatwick Airport, fly to Düsseldorf International Airport
1. Take the train from Reading to Gatwick Airporttrain
2. Fly from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane LGW - DUS
5h 33m
€80–250
Train to Birmingham Airport, fly to Düsseldorf International Airport
1. Take the train from Reading to Birmingham Internationaltrain
2. Fly from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane BHX - DUS
5h 29m
€133–287
Train to London Gatwick Airport, fly to Cologne Bonn Airport, train
1. Take the train from Reading to Gatwick Airporttrain
2. Fly from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)plane LGW - CGN
3. Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Essen Hbftrain
6h 44m
€120–370
Train to London Stansted Airport, fly to Cologne Bonn Airport, train
1. Take the train from Reading to London Paddingtontrain
2. Fly from London Stansted Airport (STN) to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)plane STN - CGN
3. Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Essen Hbftrain
7h 9m
€88–295
Train, train to Luton Airport, fly to Dortmund Airport
1. Take the train from Reading to London Paddingtontrain
2. Take the train from Farringdon to Luton Airport Parkwaytrain
3. Fly from Luton Airport (LTN) to Dortmund Airport (DTM)plane LTN - DTM
6h 37m
€89–331

Reading to Essen by train and subway

14Weekly Services

7h 49mAverage Duration

€220Cheapest Price

See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Reading to Essen.

Launch map view

Distance: 734.9 km
Duration: 7h 49m

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 49m. 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, LONDON, Victoria Coach Station-Departure Hall, and Dortmund central bus station in around 16h 24m.

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.