- Must visit
Museum Folkwang
One of Germany’s leading art museums, known for major collections of 19th- to 21st-century painting, photography, and design.
Cheapest price
$44
Average price
$89
Fastest journey
7 h 5 m
Average duration
8 h 4 m
Buses per day
7
Distance
454 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Berlin to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Berlin to Essen will cost around $89 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $44.
Of the 7 buses that leave Berlin for Essen on Sat, Jun 20, 7 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct buses cover the 454 km distance in an average of 8 h 4 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 5 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest buses will take 8 h 50 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
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FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Berlin to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $27. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 6m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $27, and a flight costs an average of $76.
Distance: 282 miles (454 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$44 Average price Cheapest | $59 Average price | $240 Average price | $96 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 2m Average total duration 6h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 39m Average total duration 5h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 6m Average total duration Fastest 1h 6m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 6h 9m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.5 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.4 - 2.7kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Berlin to Essen:
A bus is $15 (€12) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Berlin to Essen costing on average $59 (€48).
A bus is $196 (€161) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Berlin to Essen costing on average $240 (€197).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 9m.
Bus takes on average 6h 32m.
Tickets start at around $44 (€36) compared to roughly $96 (€79) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $52 (€43). The journey takes 6h 32m versus 6h 9m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:10AM | Arrival Time 06:50AM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:40AM | Arrival Time 05:30AM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:40AM | Arrival Time 08:45AM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00AM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:40AM | Arrival Time 09:45AM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:20AM | Arrival Time 10:45AM | Duration 7h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:35AM | Arrival Time 12:50PM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:40AM | Arrival Time 10:45AM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:45AM | Arrival Time 12:45PM | Duration 9h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:00AM | Arrival Time 12:50PM | Duration 8h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:45AM | Arrival Time 02:45PM | Duration 9h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:20AM | Arrival Time 02:45PM | Duration 8h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:50AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 01:20PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:10AM | Arrival Time 12:50PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:40AM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:10AM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:20AM | Arrival Time 05:55PM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:20AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:20AM | Arrival Time 03:30PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:50AM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 06:20PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:20PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:10PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 9h50 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $61 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:20PM | Arrival Time 06:05AM | Duration 10h45 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $94 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:26PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 9h34 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:57PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 9h03 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:04PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 8h56 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:18PM | Arrival Time 05:40AM | Duration 9h22 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:31PM | Arrival Time 05:40AM | Duration 9h09 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:10PM | Arrival Time 06:05AM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:35PM | Arrival Time 04:50AM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:20PM | Arrival Time 06:05AM | Duration 7h45 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $87 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:50PM | Arrival Time 03:10AM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:55PM | Arrival Time 05:50AM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 09:30AM | Duration 10h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:35PM | Arrival Time 06:50AM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:55PM | Arrival Time 06:50AM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $33 |
The table below shows live departures for Berlin to Essen buses for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:20 PM Berlin, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof (ZOB) | 7h45 | 6:05 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:00 PM Berlin, Kronprinzessinnenweg (Wannsee) | 10h30 | 9:30 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:35 PM Berlin, Bahnhof Südkreuz | 9h55 | 9:30 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:55 PM Berlin, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof (ZOB) | 9h35 | 9:30 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
| Saturday, June 20 | |||||
FlixBus | 3:20 AM Berlin, Bahnhof Südkreuz | 7h25 | 10:45 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:35 AM Berlin, Alexanderplatz | 9h15 | 12:50 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:40 AM Berlin, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof (ZOB) | 7h05 | 10:45 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:00 AM Berlin, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof (ZOB) | 8h50 | 12:50 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 5:45 AM Berlin, Bahnhof Südkreuz | 9h00 | 2:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 6:20 AM Berlin, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof (ZOB) | 8h25 | 2:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:20 AM Berlin, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof (ZOB) | 8h35 | 5:55 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Buses from Berlin to Essen run on average 12 times per day, taking around 6h 32m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $27 (€22) but you can travel from only $25 (€21) by train.
There are 12 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:10, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 282 miles (454 km) distance in 6h 40m.
Distance 282 miles (454 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 32m |
Cheapest ticket price $27 (€22) |
Buses per day 12 |
Direct buses 12 |
Fastest bus 6h 40m |
First bus 12:10 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 84 days |
Discover the best of Essen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Essen trip today.
One of Germany’s leading art museums, known for major collections of 19th- to 21st-century painting, photography, and design.
A key museum for the Ruhr region’s history, archaeology, and natural heritage, housed in the iconic Zollverein Coal Washery.
A major design museum displaying award-winning contemporary product and industrial design inside the Zollverein complex.
Large open area around the Zollverein complex with striking industrial scenery, walking paths, and some of Essen’s most photographed views.
A major leisure area around a reservoir on the Ruhr, popular for walking, cycling, lakeside views, and social-media-friendly sunsets.
Charming historic quarter with half-timbered buildings, cobbled streets, and a relaxed small-town feel within Essen.
Sliced grilled sausage with curry ketchup and fries, a beloved Ruhr area fast-food classic found across Essen.
A traditional Westphalian beef stew seasoned generously with pepper and onions, long associated with the wider region around Essen.
A hearty Rhineland dish of mashed potatoes and applesauce, often served with black pudding; common in western German home cooking.
Refined dining in Schloss Hugenpoet, offering upscale cuisine in a historic manor-house atmosphere south of central Essen.
Well-known fine-dining restaurant in Essen with modern creative cuisine and an elegant, intimate atmosphere.
Long-established restaurant and beer garden popular for German and regional dishes in a relaxed, green setting.
Moderate by German standards. Budget eats are reasonable, while hotels and sit-down dining cost more.
Service is usually included. Round up small bills; tip about 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Round up in taxis. Little or no tip is fine for counter service.
Official public transport app
Essen Freiheit Hauptbahnhof, Essen -> Essen Hauptbahnhof, Essen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Berlin to Essen by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Essen, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Berlin to Essen buses use the Berlin, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof (ZOB) to Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) station pair. Use this guide to compare Berlin and Essen bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Berlin, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof (ZOB) is 9 km from Berlin city centre. Public transport options include:
Berlin, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof (ZOB) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Berlin (in the station), Schnitzel Express (0.5 km), Currywurst Haus (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and inside the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at Berlin, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof (ZOB).
Available at Berlin, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof (ZOB): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Berlin, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof (ZOB): Elevators, ramps.
Berlin, Bahnhof Südkreuz is 6 km from Berlin city centre. Public transport options include:
Berlin, Bahnhof Südkreuz has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Berlin, Bahnhof Südkreuz.
Available at Berlin, Bahnhof Südkreuz: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Berlin, Bahnhof Südkreuz: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need