- Must visit
Museum Ludwig
Major modern and contemporary art museum beside Cologne Cathedral, known for Picasso, Pop Art, and an excellent overview of 20th-century art.
Cheapest price
$6
Average price
$6
Fastest journey
1 h 45 m
Average duration
1 h 45 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
65 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Essen to Cologne Bonn Airport is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Cologne Bonn Airport will cost around $6 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $6.
Of the 1 buses that leave Essen for Cologne Bonn Airport on Thu, Jun 04, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jun 04 the direct buses cover the 65 km distance in an average of 1 h 45 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 45 m .
On Thu, Jun 04 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.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Essen to Cologne Bonn Airport 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 1h 19m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $5, and a train costs an average of $10.
Distance: 40 miles (65 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$5 Average price Cheapest | $28 Average price | $15 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 52m Average total duration 1h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 49m Average total duration Fastest 1h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 1m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Essen to Cologne Bonn Airport:
A bus is $22 (€18) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Cologne Bonn Airport costing on average $28 (€23).
Other travel options to Cologne Bonn Airport take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 22m.
Tickets start at around $5 (€4) compared to roughly $15 (€12) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $9 (€7). The journey takes 1h 22m versus 1h 1m 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 Bus, 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 05:45AM | Arrival Time 07:40AM | Duration 1h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:10AM | Arrival Time 08:05AM | Duration 1h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:15AM | Arrival Time 08:05AM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:20AM | Arrival Time 08:25AM | Duration 2h05 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 09:15AM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 07:55AM | Arrival Time 09:40AM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sat | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:45AM | Arrival Time 10:35AM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 08:55AM | Arrival Time 10:40AM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 09:55AM | Arrival Time 11:40AM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:15PM | Arrival Time 03:40PM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:25PM | Arrival Time 03:25PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 05:45PM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:50PM | Arrival Time 07:45PM | Duration 1h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 09:45PM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 10:10PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 10:45PM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:10PM | Arrival Time 11:50PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $7 |
The table below shows live departures for Essen to Cologne Bonn Airport buses for today, Wednesday, June 3. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:00 PM Essen | 1h45 | 9:45 PM Cologne Bonn Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train 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 Cologne Bonn Airport run on average 13 times per day, taking around 1h 22m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $5 (€4) if you book in advance.
There are 13 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 05:30, the last at 20:00. The fastest bus covers the 40 miles (65 km) distance in 1h 45m.
Distance 40 miles (65 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 22m |
Cheapest ticket price $5 (€4) |
Buses per day 13 |
Direct buses 13 |
Fastest bus 1h 45m |
First bus 5:30 AM |
Last bus 8:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Discover the best of Cologne — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cologne trip today.
Major modern and contemporary art museum beside Cologne Cathedral, known for Picasso, Pop Art, and an excellent overview of 20th-century art.
Popular chocolate museum on the Rhine, featuring the history of cacao, production displays, and family-friendly exhibits.
One of Germany’s important fine-art museums, with medieval, Baroque, and Impressionist collections in the city center.
Broad riverside promenade in Deutz with one of the city’s most photographed postcard views of the cathedral skyline.
Historic Old Town square lined with traditional buildings, a lively base for exploring Cologne’s oldest central streets.
Regenerated harbor district mixing waterfront promenades and modern architecture, especially popular for walks and social-media photos.
The city’s signature pale, top-fermented beer, traditionally served in small glasses. It is central to Cologne’s brewing culture and best known as the local drink to try.
A classic Cologne rye roll with Gouda cheese, butter, mustard, and onions. Despite the name, it contains no chicken and is a beloved local pub snack.
A traditional Rhineland dish of mashed potatoes and apple sauce, often served with black pudding and fried onions. The sweet-savory combination is iconic in Cologne.
Modern fine-dining restaurant in Cologne known for creative tasting menus and polished service, offering a high-end contrast to the city’s traditional brauhaus scene.
Long-established casual restaurant famous for schnitzel and hearty German cooking, with a friendly neighborhood feel and generous portions.
Established traditional brewhouse in central Cologne known for Kölsch, Halver Hahn, and hearty Rhineland classics in a lively historic atmosphere.
Airport prices are above city averages, but Germany overall is moderate. Expect higher costs for meals, coffee, and convenience items in terminals.
Service is usually included. In restaurants, round up or leave 5-10% for good service. Round up for taxis. Small tips are appreciated at cafés but not required.
Official public transport app
Cologne Bonn Airport -> Cologne Central Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Cologne Bonn Airport 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 Cologne Bonn Airport, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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