- Must visit
Dortmunder U
A Former Brewery Tower Turned Center For Contemporary Art And Culture, Known For Exhibitions, Events, And Its Rooftop City Views.
Cheapest price
$3
Average price
$4
Fastest journey
10 m
Average duration
26 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
32 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Essen to Dortmund is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Dortmund will cost around $4 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $3.
Of the 5 buses that leave Essen for Dortmund on Sun, Jun 21, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 21 the direct buses cover the 32 km distance in an average of 26 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 10 m .
On Sun, Jun 21 the slowest buses will take 40 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 Dortmund among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $9. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 24m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $9, and a train costs an average of $4.
Distance: 19 miles (32 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$9 Average price Cheapest | $9 Average price | $8 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
59m Average total duration 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 54m Average total duration Fastest 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 40m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.0kg 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 Essen to Dortmund:
A bus is $0.44 (€0.36) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Dortmund costing on average $9 (€7).
Other travel options to Dortmund take longer:
Bus takes on average 29m.
You'll arrive about 11m sooner (29m by bus vs 40m by car). Tickets start at around $9 (€7) compared to roughly $8 (€6) in fuel and tolls — a bit more, but you're getting time back, skipping traffic and parking, and you can work or rest on board.
Direct coaches are operated by BlaBlaCar, FlixBus.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel splits across several people), want flexibility on timing, or plan to stop en route.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:10AM | Arrival Time 12:40AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:15AM | Arrival Time 01:05AM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:15AM | Arrival Time 01:50AM | Duration 0h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:30AM | Arrival Time 02:00AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:00AM | Arrival Time 04:45AM | Duration 0h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:40AM | Arrival Time 05:10AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 06:40AM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:10AM | Arrival Time 06:40AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 07:00AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:50AM | Arrival Time 07:00AM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 07:10AM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:35AM | Arrival Time 08:20AM | Duration 0h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:40AM | Arrival Time 09:35AM | Duration 0h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 10:00AM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:40AM | Arrival Time 10:15AM | Duration 0h35 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:50AM | Arrival Time 10:20AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 10:20AM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:10AM | Arrival Time 11:40AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:10AM | Arrival Time 11:30AM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:50AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:55PM | Arrival Time 01:50PM | Duration 0h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:05PM | Arrival Time 02:40PM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:20PM | Arrival Time 02:40PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:05PM | Arrival Time 04:10PM | Duration 1h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:45PM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 0h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 04:40PM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 0h55 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:35PM | Arrival Time 07:35PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:40PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:05PM | Arrival Time 09:10PM | Duration 1h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:10PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:35PM | Arrival Time 11:40PM | Duration 1h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $9 |
The table below shows live departures for Essen to Dortmund buses for tomorrow, Sunday, June 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:10 AM Essen | 0h30 | 12:40 AM Dortmund | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:40 AM Essen | 0h30 | 5:10 AM Dortmund | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:00 AM Essen | 0h40 | 6:40 AM Dortmund | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:10 AM Essen | 0h20 | 11:30 AM Dortmund | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:30 PM Essen | 0h10 | 4:40 PM Dortmund | 0 transfersDirect |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Essen to Dortmund run on average 4 times per day, taking around 29m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $9 (€7) but you can travel from only $4 (€3) by train.
There are 4 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 11:45, the last at 17:45. The fastest bus covers the 19 miles (32 km) distance in 30m.
Distance 19 miles (32 km) |
Average bus duration 29m |
Cheapest ticket price $9 (€7) |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 4 |
Fastest bus 30m |
First bus 11:45 AM |
Last bus 5:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Dortmund — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Dortmund trip today.
A Former Brewery Tower Turned Center For Contemporary Art And Culture, Known For Exhibitions, Events, And Its Rooftop City Views.
An Interactive National Museum Dedicated To German Football History, Trophies, Media Installations, And Family-Friendly Exhibits Near The Main Station.
The City’S Major Modern And Contemporary Art Museum, Featuring Expressionism, Fluxus, And Rotating Exhibitions Inside Dortmunder U.
A Large Urban Park Famous For Gardens, Seasonal Events, Open Space, And Social-Media-Friendly Views Around Florian Tower.
A Popular Lakeside Redevelopment Area With Walking Paths, Modern Architecture, And Sunset Views, Especially Trendy With Locals And Visitors.
The Historic Old Market Square In Central Dortmund, A Classic Meeting Point Surrounded By Important City-Center Buildings.
A traditional Westphalian beef stew seasoned generously with pepper, slowly cooked until tender. It is one of Dortmund’s best-known regional specialties.
Air-dried and lightly smoked Westphalian ham, prized across the region for its deep flavor. It is often served with dark bread and pickles.
A Dortmund bakery classic: a small savory roll topped with salt and caraway, traditionally eaten with Mett, butter, or cheese.
An established seafood-focused restaurant with a polished setting and strong reputation for quality ingredients and refined preparation.
A well-known central steakhouse with a classic atmosphere, strong service, and substantial meat-focused dishes. Good for a more upscale meal.
A long-established brewery restaurant near the market square, known for hearty regional food and Dortmund beer in a lively traditional setting.
Moderate by German standards: public transport and casual food are reasonable, while hotels and fine dining cost more during trade fairs and football weekends.
Service is usually included. In restaurants, round up or leave about 5-10% for good service. Round up in taxis. Small tips are appreciated in bars; no tip is expected for counter service.
Official public transport app
Dortmund ZOB am Hbf, Dortmund -> Dortmund Hauptbahnhof, Dortmund
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Dortmund 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 Dortmund, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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