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

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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.

  1. Train

    best
    1. Take the train from Reading 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
    7h 20m
    €280–505

  2. Train to London Stansted Airport, fly to Cologne Bonn Airport, train

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from Reading to London Paddingtontrain train
    2. Fly from London Stansted Airport (STN) to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)plane plane STN - CGN
    3. Take the train from Koeln Hbf to Essen Hbftrain train
    6h 22m
    €90–407

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Reading RailAir to Heathrow Terminal 2bus bus Ra1
    2. Take the bus from London Victoria to Essen central train stationbus bus N380
    15h 27m
    €91–129

  4. Drive, Eurotunnel

    1. Drive from Reading to Folkestonecar car
    2. Take the cartrain from Folkestone to Calais-Fréthuncartrain train
    3. Drive from Calais-Fréthun to Essencar car
    6h 32m
    €242–296

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

    1. Take the train from Reading to Hayes And Harlington Stationtrain train
    2. Fly from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane plane LHR - DUS
    4h 51m
    €93–308

  6. Train via Aachen

    1. Take the train from Reading to Farringdon Withouttrain 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 Aachen Hbftrain train Ice
    4. Take the train from Aachen Hbf to Essen Hbftrain train Re
    7h 45m
    €223–505

  7. Train via Amsterdam

    1. Take the train from Reading to London Paddingtontrain train
    2. Take the train from London St. Pancras Int. to Amsterdam Centraaltrain train
    3. Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Oberhausen Hbftrain train Ice
    9h 23m
    €113–286

  8. Drive, car ferry

    1. Drive from Reading to Port of Dovercar car
    2. Take the carferry from Port of Dover to Calaiscarferry car ferry
    3. Drive from Calais to Essencar car
    7h 41m
    €135–251

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

    1. Take the train from Reading to Birmingham Internationaltrain train
    2. Fly from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane plane BHX - DUS
    5h 20m
    €134–296

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

    1. Take the train from Reading to Gatwick Airporttrain train
    2. Fly from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)plane plane LGW - CGN
    3. Take the train from Koeln Hbf to Essen Hbftrain train
    6h 17m
    €99–307

  11. Train to London Gatwick Airport, fly to Düsseldorf International Airport

    1. Take the train from Reading to Gatwick Airporttrain train
    2. Fly from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)plane plane LGW - DUS
    5h 32m
    €93–343

Reading to Essen by train and subway

Calendar28Weekly Services
Duration7h 20mAverage Duration
Ticket€280Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Reading to Essen.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 734.7 km
  • Duration: 7h 20m

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 20m. 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 27m.

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Want to know more about travelling around Germany

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