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The cheapest and fastest buses from Cologne to Essen
Showing times and prices for Feb 13
Cheapest price
$3
Average price
$8
Fastest journey
20 m
Average duration
22 m
Buses per day
18
Distance
58 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cologne to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne to Essen will cost around $8 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $3.
Fast buses
Of the 18 buses that leave Cologne for Essen on Fri, Feb 13, 18 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Feb 13 the direct buses cover the 58 km distance in an average of 22 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 20 m .
On Fri, Feb 13 the slowest buses will take 30 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.
07:10PM0h20
Cologne07:30PMEssen
$31One-way
0 transfers
08:50PM0h20
Cologne09:10PMEssen
$31One-way
0 transfers
01:00AM0h20
Cologne01:20AMEssen
$31One-way
0 transfers
06:10PM0h20
Cologne06:30PMEssen
$31One-way
0 transfers
08:00AM0h30
Cologne08:30AMEssen
$41One-way
0 transfers
07:10PM0h20
Cologne07:30PMEssen
$31One-way
0 transfers
08:50PM0h20
Cologne09:10PMEssen
$31One-way
0 transfers
01:00AM0h20
Cologne01:20AMEssen
$31One-way
0 transfers
06:10PM0h20
Cologne06:30PMEssen
$31One-way
0 transfers
08:00AM0h30
Cologne08:30AMEssen
$41One-way
0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cologne to Essen
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €4. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 56m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €4, and a train costs an average of €6.
Distance: 36 miles (58 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
€5 Average price Cheapest | €15 Average price |
2h 0m Average total duration 1h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 26m Average total duration Fastest 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
 Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Cologne to Essen Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:00AM | Arrival Time 01:20AM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:45AM | Arrival Time 06:25AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:10AM | Arrival Time 07:10AM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 06:40AM | Arrival Time 08:40AM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 08:30AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 09:30AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 10:00AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:50AM | Arrival Time 12:50PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:20AM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:40AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:10PM | Arrival Time 12:40PM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:45PM | Arrival Time 05:45PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:50PM | Arrival Time 04:10PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:45PM | Arrival Time 08:00PM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 05:50PM | Arrival Time 07:45PM | Duration 1h55 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:10PM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:50PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:40PM | Arrival Time 10:35PM | Duration 1h55 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:50PM | Arrival Time 09:10PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:40PM | Arrival Time 11:40PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:20PM | Arrival Time 11:55PM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:15PM | Arrival Time 01:00AM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Live departures
Cologne to Essen bus times
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Essen buses for today, Thursday, February 12. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
Last updated at 9:49 PM
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 10:15 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 1h45 | 12:00 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
| Friday, February 13 | ||||||
| FlixBus | 3:45 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 1h40 | 5:25 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
| FlixBus | 4:10 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 2h00 | 6:10 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
 50448 | 5:40 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 2h00 | 7:40 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
| FlixBus | 9:50 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 2h00 | 11:50 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
| FlixBus | 2:45 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 2h00 | 4:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
| FlixBus | 4:30 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 2h20 | 6:50 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
| FlixBus | 4:45 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 2h15 | 7:00 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
| 50428 | 4:50 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 1h55 | 6:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
| FlixBus | 6:50 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 2h00 | 8:50 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
| FlixBus | 7:40 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 1h55 | 9:35 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
| FlixBus | 8:40 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 2h00 | 10:40 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
| FlixBus | 9:20 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) | 1h35 | 10:55 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | ||
This is the last bus of the day. | ||||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cologne to Essen by train or bus
Compare train and bus 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.
Fri
Feb 13
Feb 13
Sat
Feb 14
Feb 14
Sun
Feb 15
Feb 15
Mon
Feb 16
Feb 16
Tue
Feb 17
Feb 17
Wed
Feb 18
Feb 18
Thu
Feb 19
Feb 19
Why should you book Cologne to Essen buses with Omio?
FlixBus as well as BlaBlaCar Bus offer buses services from Cologne to Essen.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cologne to Essen.
Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for FlixBus, but also compare tickets for the likes of BlaBlaCar Bus to find the best option for your trip from Cologne to Essen.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare FlixBus with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cologne to Essen.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Checkmybus?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of BlaBlaCar Bus to find the best option for your trip from Cologne to Essen.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Cologne to Essen.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Cologne to Essen
GermanyGermany
Buses from Cologne to Essen run on average 14 times per day, taking around 1h 30m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $5 (€4) if you book in advance.
There are 14 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 03:45, the last at 23:35. The fastest bus covers the 36 miles (58 km) distance in 1h 25m.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance 36 miles (58 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price $5 (€4) |
Buses per day 14 |
Direct buses 14 |
Fastest bus 1h 25m |
First bus 03:45 |
Last bus 23:35 |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Bus providers: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus from Cologne to EssenYou can travel by bus between Cologne to Essen with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus for as low as $5 (€4). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 25m
Cheapest Price
$7 (€5)
FlixBus frequency
10 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.
BlaBlaCar Bus
About
BlaBlaCar Bus (formerly known as Ouibus or iDBUS) is a long-distance coach company operating in 10 European countries and connecting over 300 destinations. A subsidiary of the French carpooling company BlaBlaCar, it offers comfortable travel with standard amenities such as air conditioning, toilets, USB and power outlets for charging devices, extra legroom, and adjustable seats. Free Wi-Fi is available on select routes. BlaBlaCar Bus offers only a Standard ticket type, which allows passengers to bring one carry-on bag and up to two checked bags per person.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 55m
Cheapest Price
$5 (€4)
BlaBlaCar Bus frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg and one checked bag up to 20kg.
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 30 minutes before departure for a refund in the form of a voucher.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Accessible seating options.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed; additional fees may apply.
BlaBlaCar
About
BlaBlaCar is a French online marketplace for carpooling, connecting drivers with empty seats and passengers traveling to the same destination to share costs. Founded in 2006, it operates in Europe and Latin America, boasting 26 million active members. The platform also includes BlaBlaCar Bus, an intercity bus service. BlaBlaCar's name comes from its rating system for drivers' chattiness: "Bla" for quiet, "BlaBla" for talkative, and "BlaBlaBla" for very chatty. The company aims to be the leading marketplace for shared travel, offering affordable and sustainable solutions by combining carpooling with bus journeys.
Luggage & cancellation policy
BlaBlaCar frequency
5 a day
FAQs: Bus from Cologne to Essen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne 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.
Cheap bus tickets from Cologne to Essen can start from as little as $5 (€4) when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for Cologne to Essen is $6 (€5) ; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by bus from Cologne to Essen is 1h 25m to travel the 36 miles (58 km) long journey. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest bus from Cologne to Essen leaves at 3:45 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest bus from Cologne to Essen leaves at 11:35 PM.
Yes, there are 14 direct buses a day from Cologne to Essen with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct buses.
When taking a bus from Cologne to Essen, you can count on FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus for the best way to get you to Essen. You can also check all possible bus companies who offer a service between Cologne and Essen and compare the amenities they offer before buying a bus ticket.
A day trip to Essen from Cologne is worth doing with a journey time of 1h 25m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a bus from Cologne to Essen is March.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cologne and Essen including taking a train and bus.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the bus from Cologne to Essen:
- BlaBlaCar Bus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Accessible seating options.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the bus from Cologne to Essen for bus company FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.
Whether you can cancel your bus ticket from Cologne to Essen depends on the bus companies:
- BlaBlaCar Bus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 30 minutes before departure for a refund in the form of a voucher.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the bus with bus company FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the bus from Cologne to Essen.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a bus ticket from Cologne to Essen:
- BlaBlaCar Bus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg and one checked bag up to 20kg.
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a bus ticket from Cologne to Essen:
- BlaBlaCar Bus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the bus from Cologne to Essen. The following conditions apply:
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the bus from Cologne to Essen with the following bus company: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the bus from Cologne to Essen with the following bus company: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the bus from Cologne to Essen with the following bus company: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Cologne to Essen
Cologne
Essen
The major bus station for departures in Cologne is Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen). Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) for your trip from Cologne to Essen.
Amenities at bus station
Wifi
Parking
ATM
Accessibility
WCinformation
Distance to city center
13 km
Car connection
KennedystraßeWifi
- Free Wi-Fi
Accessibility
- Elevators, ramps
WC
- Available in the station.
Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
Amenities at bus station
WifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Officeinformation
Ticket Office Hours
- 00:00-23:59
Distance to city center
13 kmCar connection
KennedystrasseWifi
- Free Wi-Fi
Taxis
- Available outside Terminal 2 arrivals area.
Accessibility
- Elevators, ramps
WC
- Available in the station.
Public transit options for Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
- Bus: SB60 Train: S13, S19
The major bus station for arrivals in Essen is Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof). Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) for your trip to Essen from Cologne.
Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)
information
Most popular bus connections from Cologne
More options for your journey from Cologne to Essen
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Essen and Cologne
Most popular bus connections to Essen
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