- Must visit
Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA)
Major fine arts museum with Flemish masters, modern art, and a landmark 19th-century building restored with contemporary galleries.
Cheapest price
$25
Average price
$31
Fastest journey
3 h 50 m
Average duration
4 h 25 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
183 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Essen to Antwerp is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Antwerp will cost around $31 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $25.
Of the 4 buses that leave Essen for Antwerp on Sat, Jun 20, 4 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 183 km distance in an average of 4 h 25 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 50 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest buses will take 5 h 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.








Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Essen to Antwerp among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $16. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 11m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $16, and a flight costs an average of $143.
Distance: 113 miles (183 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$32 Average price Cheapest | $82 Average price | $348 Average price | $40 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 23m Average total duration 4h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 41m Average total duration Fastest 3h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 0m Average total duration 5h 0m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 39m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
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 Essen to Antwerp:
A bus is $50 (€41) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Antwerp costing on average $82 (€67).
A bus is $316 (€259) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Essen to Antwerp costing on average $348 (€286).
Other travel options to Antwerp take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 53m.
Flight takes on average 5h 0m.
Tickets start at around $32 (€27) compared to roughly $40 (€33) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $7 (€6). The journey takes 4h 53m versus 2h 39m 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 BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:20AM | Arrival Time 04:30AM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:00AM | Arrival Time 07:45AM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:40AM | Arrival Time 11:40AM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:55AM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 07:55AM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 7h55 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 08:55AM | Arrival Time 08:00PM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 09:55AM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 7h55 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:55AM | Arrival Time 02:45PM | Duration 3h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:55AM | Arrival Time 03:45PM | Duration 3h50 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:55PM | Arrival Time 05:55PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:55PM | Arrival Time 06:55PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:03PM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 4h32 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:55PM | Arrival Time 07:55PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 05:40PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 01:25AM | Duration 8h25 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 04:15AM | Duration 10h15 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:40PM | Arrival Time 05:15AM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $36 |
The table below shows live departures for Essen to Antwerp 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
50429 · 1647 | 9:55 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 7h55 | 5:50 PM Antwerpen, P+R Luchtbal | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 12:55 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 3h50 | 4:45 PM Antwerpen, Borsbeeksebrug (Berchem) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 2:55 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 5h00 | 7:55 PM Antwerp, Van Ertbornstraat (Rooseveltplaats) | 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 Essen to Antwerp run on average 5 times per day, taking around 4h 53m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $16 (€13) if you book in advance.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:40, the last at 23:40. The fastest bus covers the 113 miles (183 km) distance in 3h 50m.
Distance 113 miles (183 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 53m |
Cheapest ticket price $16 (€13) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 3h 50m |
First bus 12:40 AM |
Last bus 11:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 3 days |
Discover the best of Antwerp — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Antwerp trip today.
Major fine arts museum with Flemish masters, modern art, and a landmark 19th-century building restored with contemporary galleries.
Antwerp’s flagship city museum covering trade, migration, and global connections, with strong exhibitions and panoramic rooftop views.
UNESCO-listed printing museum in the original Plantin publishing house, preserving historic presses, interiors, and rare books.
Revitalized docklands district blending warehouses, waterfront promenades, modern architecture, and popular photo spots.
Antwerp’s main shopping boulevard, lined with grand architecture and always lively for a central city walk.
Elegant street in Zurenborg famed for its extravagant Belle Époque townhouses and strong social media appeal.
Mussels steamed with aromatics and served with fries, a classic Belgian dish widely enjoyed in Antwerp.
Flemish beef stew slowly braised with dark Belgian beer, rich and comforting, often served with fries.
A traditional Belgian pastry shell filled with creamy chicken ragout, commonly found in classic brasseries.
Celebrated fine-dining restaurant in a former chapel, known for creative tasting menus and a striking interior.
Historic Antwerp brewery venue for local beer, including Bolleke, with a lively atmosphere and beer-focused food options.
Well-known seafood restaurant with a polished yet relaxed setting, popular for fresh fish and shellfish.
Moderate by Western Europe standards. Food and transport are manageable, while central hotels cost more.
Service is usually included. Tipping is not required, but rounding up or leaving 5-10% for great service is appreciated. Round up taxi fares slightly.
Official public transport app
Crowne Plaza Antwerp, Antwerp -> Antwerpen-Centraal, Antwerp
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Antwerp 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 Antwerp, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need