Photo: MESSE ESSEN GmbH / Google MapsHotels for EQUITANA 2027 in Essen
EQUITANA 2027 runs 18 to 24 March at Messe Essen, Essen. 109,258 visitors from 56 countries and 600 exhibitors (2025)
- Free-cancellation rooms
- Lock today's hotel rate
- Company invoice
- Book rooms for your team
Where to stay
Where to stay for EQUITANA 2027: the closest hotels to Messe Essen are in Rüttenscheid and Essen City Centre / Hauptbahnhof, with Südviertel a short ride away. Rooms near the venue sell out first, so book a free-cancellation rate early. Add your company name and tax number at checkout for an itemised company invoice.
Popular areas for attendees: Rüttenscheid · Essen City Centre / Hauptbahnhof · Südviertel · Bredeney.
About EQUITANA
EQUITANA, which its organiser RX calls the world's leading equestrian sports fair, returns to Messe Essen for seven days from Thursday 18 to Wednesday 24 March 2027.
It is a public show as much as a trade fair: riders, trainers, breeders and horse lovers of every discipline fill seven halls of brands and start ups, with more than 1,000 horses on site, around 500 hours of training and education and the HOP TOP Show on selected evenings. The fair runs every two years, and the 2025 edition, its 28th, drew 109,258 visitors from 56 countries and 600 exhibitors.
Day tickets start from €12 and the evening show is ticketed separately. Messe Essen is five minutes from Essen Hauptbahnhof on the U11, so EQUITANA Essen hotels in Rüttenscheid around the fairground and in the city centre both work well, and with seven days to choose from, many visitors stay a night or two.
This page shows live Essen hotel rates for your dates; your fair and show tickets are bought separately from the organiser.
Why book with Event Escapes
- Essen hotels for EQUITANA sorted by distance to Messe Essen, from Rüttenscheid to the city centre and Hauptbahnhof
- Live rates for any nights between 18 and 24 March 2027, with dates you can change to fit the days and evening show you choose
- Free cancellation rates shown where the hotel offers them, useful while you pick your fair days and show evening
- Rooms for families, riding club groups and exhibitor teams, with an itemised invoice emailed at booking and a group quote within 24 hours through our enquiry form
Event at a glance
- Dates
- 18 Mar to 24 Mar 2027
- Length
- 7 days, Thu to Wed
- Venue
- Messe Essen
- City
- Essen, Germany
- Airport
- DUS
- Attendance
- 109,258 visitors from 56 countries and 600 exhibitors (2025)
- Sector
- Gifts & Consumer Goods
Event Escapes is independent of the organiser. We book your hotel; badges, tickets and stands are handled by the organiser.
Live rates near the venue
Hotels near Messe Essen for EQUITANA 2027
Plan your stay
Rates shown for a 3 night stay, Wed, Mar 17 → Sat, Mar 20, arriving the day before the fair opens, or choose your own dates above.
Hotel rates near major event venues rise as the dates approach and the closest hotels sell out first. Booking a free-cancellation rate early locks the price with no downside.
On the map
The venue, your hotel options and where to eat, all in one view. Tap the map to explore it full screen.
Free cancellation first
Flexible rooms prioritised so plans can change without penalty.
Company invoice
Itemised invoice billed to your company, emailed the moment you book.
Stay close to the venue
Hotels ranked by walking distance to the halls.
Lock today's rate
Reserve at the current price and book several rooms for the team.
Booking hotels for a team or company?
Book several rooms near Messe Essen, keep every stay on a free-cancellation rate, and add your company name and tax number at checkout to receive an itemised invoice for your accounts, emailed the moment you book.
- Itemised company invoice, emailed instantly
- Bills to your company name and ABN / VAT / tax number
- Free-cancellation rates prioritised for changing plans
- Book multiple rooms for the team in one place
Send this page to colleagues so everyone books their own room near the venue, all at today's rate.
Exhibiting or sending a team? Tell us how many rooms you need and we will send a personalised quote within 24 hours, with the distance from every hotel to Messe Essen. If the closest hotels are nearly full, we split your team across neighbouring hotels a few minutes apart. Corporate accommodation for EQUITANA
Free EQUITANA Insider Guide
Do EQUITANA the easy way. Get our curated guide, plus first access to near-venue rooms before they sell out.
- The best hotels within walking distance of the venue
- Getting there, getting around and visa basics
- How to beat the sold-out fair-week rooms
We'll email your guide and occasional EQUITANA hotel deals. Unsubscribe anytime.
Need to expense this trip? Business invoices available at checkout.
How do you get to EQUITANA?
From Düsseldorf Airport (DUS)
- The organiser puts Düsseldorf Airport about 20 minutes by car from the Essen fairground, with more than 500 take-offs and landings a day
- By train, three ICE lines, the RE1, RE6 and RE11 regional trains and the S1 run from Düsseldorf Airport station to Essen Hauptbahnhof in about 30 minutes, according to the organiser
- From Essen Hauptbahnhof, the U11 reaches the fairground in about five minutes
- Essen/Mülheim Airport is about 10 minutes from the fairground by car or taxi, according to Messe Essen
By rail and road
- Essen Hauptbahnhof has more than 120 long distance connections a day, according to Messe Essen
- The organiser lists about 7,000 parking spaces close to the fair at €15 a day, plus another 7,000 in the Park and Ride system with free use of the fair bus
- The Park and Ride car park P10 on Lilienthalstraße, reached from the A52 Essen-Kettwig exit, has regular shuttle buses and stays open until 60 minutes after the fair closes
- Only vehicles with a green environmental badge may enter the low emission zone, Messe Essen says; if you are coming by motorhome, contact Messe Essen in advance about a pitch
How do you get around during EQUITANA?
Getting to the halls each day
- The visitor entrances are Hall 6 and South, at Messe Essen, Messeplatz 1, 45131 Essen
- The U11 stops at Messe Ost/Gruga-Halle by the east entrance and one stop further at Messe West-Süd/Gruga by the west entrance; Messe Essen says the last U11 leaves at 23:30, after which the Ruhrbahn night service runs
- Opening hours are 10:00 to 18:30 from Thursday 18 to Tuesday 23 March and 10:00 to 18:00 on Wednesday 24 March 2027
- Hall 1 covers health, care and feed for horse and rider, and Hall 2 is the main shopping hall with western riding and working equitation; see the organiser's hall plan for the rest
Rüttenscheid, the city centre or further out?
- Rüttenscheid is the district around Messe Essen, so it keeps the trip short, which helps if you stay for an evening show
- The city centre and Hauptbahnhof area have the most hotels and the U11 runs straight to the fair
- The Südviertel lies between the city centre and the fairground
- Bredeney lies south of the fairground, towards Lake Baldeney and Villa Hügel
Do you need a visa for EQUITANA?
Visa-free / visa on arrival
- Germany is in the Schengen Area; EU, EEA and Swiss citizens travel with a passport or national ID card
- The German Federal Foreign Office lists citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and many other countries as needing no visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180 day period
- Non EU travellers are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System, fully operational since 10 April 2026, with fingerprints and a facial image taken at the border, so allow extra time at passport control
- ETIAS, the EU's planned travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, was not yet in operation when we checked; the EU says it will announce the start date several months ahead, so check before you fly
eVisa / visa required
- Nationals of countries such as India, China, South Africa and Türkiye need a Schengen short stay (type C) visa, applied for through German missions or their appointed visa centres
- Under EU rules you can apply no earlier than six months and at least 15 days before travel; standard processing takes 15 days and can be extended to 45
- The EQUITANA website had no visa or invitation letter information when we checked, so exhibitors who need a letter should ask the organiser early
Documents to carry
- A passport valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area; the organiser also asks every visitor to carry photo ID
- Your EQUITANA day ticket and any evening show ticket
- Hotel booking and return travel details, plus copies of your visa supporting documents and travel medical insurance if you need a visa
Entry and visa rules change; check current requirements with the German embassy or consulate, or official EU sources, before you book.
First time at EQUITANA?
- Buy tickets online before you go: day tickets start from €12, with reduced, family and children's tickets, VIP and premium tickets from €45 and evening show tickets from €20; the organiser's admission policy says an extra fee applies if you register on site
- In 2025 every visitor had to register their ticket in their own name in advance, and the organiser said it would work on the organisational challenges before the next fair, so check the ticket rules when you buy
- Children and young people under 16 need to be with a parent or guardian, and the organiser hands out wristbands with the adult's name and phone number on site
- Leave dogs and other pets at home: apart from guide dogs and other assistance animals, no animals are admitted
- Plan your halls in advance; the fair covers more than 30,000 square metres in seven halls, and the hall plan on the organiser's site groups exhibitors by theme
Insider tips from repeat attendees
- The HOP TOP Show is staged only every two years as part of EQUITANA; the 2027 show is called Anything for Love, and seats are sold on their own or with a day ticket, so book the evening you want early
- With seven days to choose from, weekdays are worth considering if you want more room to browse; the organiser says 43 percent of visitors come specifically to shop
- The organiser books hotels through its partner HotelMap; Event Escapes is independent and not affiliated with EQUITANA, RX or Messe Essen, and you book a named hotel directly with us at the rate shown
EQUITANA travel FAQs
When is EQUITANA 2027?
EQUITANA takes place 18 Mar to 24 Mar 2027 at Messe Essen in Essen, Germany.
Where is EQUITANA held?
EQUITANA is held at Messe Essen in Essen, Germany. The nearest airport is DUS.
When and where is EQUITANA 2027?
EQUITANA 2027 runs from Thursday 18 to Wednesday 24 March 2027 at Messe Essen, Messeplatz 1, 45131 Essen, with entrances at Hall 6 and South. Hours are 10:00 to 18:30 from Thursday to Tuesday and 10:00 to 18:00 on the last day.
Is EQUITANA held every year?
No. EQUITANA runs every two years. The last edition was in March 2025, the 28th, and the next is March 2027.
Can anyone visit EQUITANA?
Yes. EQUITANA is open to the public as well as to the trade, with day tickets from €12, reduced, family and children's tickets, VIP and premium tickets and separate trade visitor tickets. Children under 16 must be with a parent or guardian.
How much is the HOP TOP Show?
Evening show tickets start from €20 and are sold on their own or together with a day ticket in the organiser's ticket shop.
Where should I stay for EQUITANA?
Rüttenscheid, around Messe Essen, is closest to the halls. The city centre and Hauptbahnhof area have the most hotels, with the U11 reaching the fair in about five minutes.
Does booking a hotel include an EQUITANA ticket?
No. Hotel bookings and admission are separate; buy your fair and show tickets from the organiser. Event Escapes is independent and not affiliated with EQUITANA, RX or Messe Essen.
Register for your attendee badge
Your entry badge is separate from your hotel. Get it from the official EQUITANA portal before you travel. We handle the travel; the event handles the badge.
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SHK+E ESSEN hotelsWhich hotels are closest to Messe Essen?
The closest hotels to the venue with the distance, the walk or ride time and an indicative nightly rate, refreshed weekly. Live prices for your exact dates are in the booking section above. Last checked 12 November 2026.
Cheap and 3 star hotels near Messe Essen
| Hotel | Distance to venue | Walk or ride | From per night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jung★★★ | 1.0 km | Approx. 5 min ride | €212 |
| Petul Apart Hotel City★★★ | 4.9 km | Approx. 17 min ride | €74 |
| Petul Apart Hotel Residenz★★★ | 5.8 km | Approx. 19 min ride | €85 |
More hotels close to Messe Essen
| Hotel | Distance to venue | Walk or ride | From per night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mintrops Concierge Hotel★★★★ | 0.5 km | Approx. 8 min walk | €301 |
| Atlantic Congress Hotel Essen★★★★ | 0.6 km | Approx. 10 min walk | €216 |
| Schlosshotel Hugenpoet★★★★★ | 9.0 km | Approx. 29 min ride | €370 |
Event Escapes is a privately owned, independent company that provides accommodation and travel for trade fair visitors. We are not associated with, endorsed by or acting for EQUITANA, its organisers or its promoters. Dates and venues can change. Verify with the official event site before booking travel.