The cheapest and fastest buses from Cologne to Essen
Cheapest price
$5
Average price
$13
Fastest journey
1 h 35 m
Average duration
1 h 39 m
Buses per day
16
Distance
58 km
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 $13 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $5.
Of the 16 buses that leave Cologne for Essen on Fri, May 15, 16 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, May 15 the direct buses cover the 58 km distance in an average of 1 h 39 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 35 m .
On Fri, May 15 the slowest buses will take 1 h 45 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.
504585:00 PM1h55Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)6:55 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$51One-way0 transfers
FlixBus11:35 PM1h35Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)1:10 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$91One-way0 transfers
FlixBus10:50 AM1h55Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)12:45 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$91One-way0 transfers
FlixBus9:00 AM1h50Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)10:50 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$91One-way0 transfers
FlixBus10:10 PM1h55Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)12:05 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$91One-way0 transfers
FlixBus11:35 PM1h35Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)1:10 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$91One-way0 transfers
FlixBus10:20 PM1h35Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)11:55 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$91One-way0 transfers
FlixBus4:45 AM1h40Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)6:25 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$91One-way0 transfers
FlixBus8:15 AM1h40Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)9:55 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$91One-way0 transfers
504286:00 PM1h45Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)7:45 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$371One-way0 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 $5. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 55m. 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 $5, and a train costs an average of $7.
Distance: 36 miles (58 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$6 Average price Cheapest | $16 Average price | $14 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 0m Average total duration 1h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 25m Average total duration Fastest 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 3m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Cologne to Essen:
A bus is $9 (€7) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne to Essen costing on average $16 (€12).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 30m.
Tickets start at around $6 (€5) compared to roughly $14 (€11) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $7 (€6). The journey takes 1h 30m versus 1h 3m 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, BlaBlaCar Bus.
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.
Cologne to Essen Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:10AM | Arrival Time 01:50AM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:45AM | Arrival Time 06:25AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:10AM | Arrival Time 07:10AM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 06:40AM | Arrival Time 08:40AM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:20AM | Arrival Time 08:10AM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 08:40AM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:15AM | Arrival Time 09:55AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 10:50AM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 09:40AM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:50AM | Arrival Time 12:45PM | Duration 1h55 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:50PM | Arrival Time 01:10PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $2 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $2 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:10PM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:45PM | Arrival Time 05:45PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $2 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 06:55PM | Duration 1h55 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:45PM | Arrival Time 08:00PM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 07:45PM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:20PM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $2 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:50PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:40PM | Arrival Time 11:40PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:10PM | Arrival Time 12:05AM | Duration 1h55 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:20PM | Arrival Time 11:55PM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:35PM | Arrival Time 01:10AM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $8 |
Live departures
Cologne to Essen bus times
The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Essen buses for today, Thursday, May 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 3:45 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 2h00 | 5:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
50458 | 5:00 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 1h55 | 6:55 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 5:30 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 2h20 | 7:50 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 5:45 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 2h15 | 8:00 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
50428 | 6:00 PM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 1h45 | 7:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 7:50 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 2h00 | 9:50 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:40 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 2h00 | 11:40 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 10:10 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1h55 | 12:05 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 11:35 PM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1h35 | 1:10 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, May 15 | |||||
FlixBus | 4:45 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1h40 | 6:25 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 5:10 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 2h00 | 7:10 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
50448 | 6:40 AM Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) | 2h00 | 8:40 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 8:15 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1h40 | 9:55 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:00 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1h50 | 10:50 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 10:50 AM Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen) | 1h55 | 12:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
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.
May 15
May 16
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May 18
May 19
May 20
May 21
May 22
May 23
May 24
May 25
May 26
May 27
May 28
Why should you book Cologne to Essen buses with Omio?
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, Trainline 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
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 35m.
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 35m |
First bus 3:45 AM |
Last bus 11:35 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 56 days |
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
BlaBlaCar Bus
BlaBlaCar
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.

- BlaBlaCar Bus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Accessible seating options.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- 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.
- 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).
- BlaBlaCar Bus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Cologne to Essen
- Free Wi-Fi
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- 00:00-23:59
- Free Wi-Fi
- Available outside Terminal 2 arrivals area.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: SB60 Train: S13, S19
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

