Essen to Cologne distance
The distance from Essen (Germany) to Cologne (Germany) is 73 km by road, with a driving time of about 52 min. The straight-line distance is 58 km (36 miles); Cologne lies to the S of Essen.
Reverse direction: Cologne to Essen distance — the route is the same.
Travel time comparison
| Mode | Distance | Duration approx. |
|---|---|---|
| Airplane (straight line) | 58 km | 34 min |
| Car (road) | 73 km | 52 min |
Driving distance and time come from OpenStreetMap road data (OSRM), excluding traffic.
Taxi cost for this route
A regular metered taxi from Essen to Cologne would cost roughly 154–203 € under the municipal tariff, calculated over 73 km by road.
Estimated cost of a regular metered taxi under the municipal tariff (base fare + per-kilometre rate, 2026). Tariffs are set per municipality by ordinance and may differ; only the meter in the vehicle is binding. Not a booking, no guarantee.
Essen
Essen is located in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
| Coordinates (DMS) | 51° 27′ 27.21″ N, 7° 1′ 20.87″ O |
|---|---|
| Latitude | 51.46 |
| Longitude | 7.02 |
| Region | Nordrhein-Westfalen |
| Country | Germany |
| Population | 574,682 |
Cologne
Cologne is located in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
| Coordinates (DMS) | 50° 56′ 15.11″ N, 6° 57′ 37.00″ O |
|---|---|
| Latitude | 50.94 |
| Longitude | 6.96 |
| Region | Nordrhein-Westfalen |
| Country | Germany |
| Population | 1,024,621 |
Midpoint of the route
The geographic midpoint between Essen and Cologne is at 51.2° N, 6.99° E.
The nearest town is Haan, Kreis Mettmann, Nordrhein-Westfalen — about 29 km from each city. If you are meeting halfway, that is roughly the place.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Essen from Cologne?
By car it is 73 km, with a driving time of about 52 min. The straight-line distance between Essen and Cologne is 58 kilometres (36 miles or 31 nautical miles).
How long does it take to drive from Essen to Cologne?
The driving distance is 73 km (OpenStreetMap/OSRM); the pure driving time by car is about 52 min (excluding traffic).
In which direction is Cologne from Essen?
Cologne lies to the S (184°) as seen from Essen.
How long is a flight from Essen to Cologne?
At a cruising speed of around 800 km/h, the pure flight time for the straight-line distance is about 34 minutes.
How much does a taxi from Essen to Cologne cost?
Over 73 km by road, a regular metered taxi from Essen to Cologne would cost roughly 154–203 € under the municipal tariff — base fare plus per-kilometre rate, 2026. Surcharges, waiting time and luggage are not included; only the meter in the vehicle is binding.
Distances from Essen
| Destination | By road |
|---|---|
| Essen → Bochum | 16 km |
| Essen → Oberhausen | 16 km |
| Essen → Herne | 20 km |
| Essen → Duisburg | 25 km |
| Essen → Recklinghausen | 30 km |
| Essen → Düsseldorf | 35 km |
| Essen → Dortmund | 35 km |
| Essen → Wuppertal | 36 km |
Distances from Cologne
| Destination | By road |
|---|---|
| Cologne → Leverkusen | 19 km |
| Cologne → Bonn | 30 km |
| Cologne → Solingen | 38 km |
| Cologne → Königswinter | 39 km |
| Cologne → Düsseldorf | 40 km |
| Cologne → Neuss | 40 km |
| Cologne → Remscheid | 43 km |
| Cologne → Wuppertal | 52 km |