- Must visit
Museo del Prado
World-class art museum with masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and Bosch; essential for Spanish and European painting.
We are not able to find a bus between these two places.
Cheapest price
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Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Essen to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $74. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 15m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the bus is your best bet as it emits only 1.5 - 3.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $74, and a train costs an average of $509.
Distance: 918 miles (1478 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$144 Average price Cheapest | $228 Average price | $509 Average price | $496 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
27h 7m Average total duration 26h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 15m Average total duration Fastest 3h 15m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 30h 40m Average total duration 30h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 18h 8m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
1.5 - 3.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 4.4 - 8.9kg CO2 emissions | - 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 Madrid:
A bus is $85 (€70) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Essen to Madrid costing on average $228 (€188).
A bus is $365 (€301) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Madrid costing on average $509 (€419).
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Bus takes on average 26h 37m.
Train takes on average 30h 10m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:00AM | Arrival Time 07:25AM | Duration 28h25 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $171 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:40AM | Arrival Time 09:15AM | Duration 29h35 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $98 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:45AM | Arrival Time 06:55AM | Duration 27h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $246 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:40AM | Arrival Time 10:15AM | Duration 29h35 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $209 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:45AM | Arrival Time 07:55AM | Duration 27h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $98 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:50AM | Arrival Time 12:55PM | Duration 32h05 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $209 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 05:30AM | Arrival Time 11:15AM | Duration 29h45 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $97 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:45AM | Arrival Time 08:55AM | Duration 27h10 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $188 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:50AM | Arrival Time 10:30AM | Duration 28h40 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $85 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:50AM | Arrival Time 11:30AM | Duration 28h40 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $151 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 07:55AM | Arrival Time 01:10PM | Duration 29h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $105 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 08:55AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 29h15 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $95 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:35AM | Arrival Time 01:20PM | Duration 27h45 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $172 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 09:55AM | Arrival Time 03:10PM | Duration 29h15 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $121 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:04PM | Arrival Time 07:55AM | Duration 38h51 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $189 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:56PM | Arrival Time 07:55AM | Duration 37h59 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $193 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:40PM | Arrival Time 05:25AM | Duration 33h45 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $104 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:10PM | Arrival Time 06:40AM | Duration 34h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $216 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:40PM | Arrival Time 07:55AM | Duration 35h15 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $95 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:50PM | Arrival Time 08:40AM | Duration 35h50 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $210 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:40PM | Arrival Time 07:25AM | Duration 33h45 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $208 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:10PM | Arrival Time 07:55AM | Duration 33h45 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $249 |
The table below shows live departures for Essen to Madrid buses for today, Tuesday, July 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:40 PM Essen | 33h45 | 5:25 AM Madrid | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:40 PM Essen | 35h15 | 7:55 AM Madrid | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, July 15 | |||||
![]() | 4:50 AM Essen | 32h05 | 12:55 PM Madrid | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:50 AM Essen | 28h40 | 10:30 AM Madrid | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:55 AM Essen | 29h15 | 2:10 PM Madrid | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Madrid run on average 10 times per day, taking around 26h 37m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $74 (€61) but you can travel from only $62 (€51) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 00:40, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 918 miles (1478 km) distance in 27h 10m.
Distance 918 miles (1478 km) |
Average bus duration 26h 37m |
Cheapest ticket price $74 (€61) |
Buses per day 10 |
Fastest bus 27h 10m |
First bus 12:40 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 56 days |
Discover the best of Madrid — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Madrid trip today.
World-class art museum with masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and Bosch; essential for Spanish and European painting.
Leading modern art museum best known for Picasso’s Guernica, plus major works by Dalí and Miró.
Celebrated collection of European masters from Van Eyck to Hopper in a refined palace setting.
Madrid’s most famous park offers gardens, a boating lake, monuments, and relaxed walks in the city center.
Lively grand avenue known for architecture, shopping, theaters, and nonstop energy from day to night.
Elegant boulevard linking major museums and landmarks, ideal for a classic central Madrid walk.
A hearty chickpea stew with meats, vegetables, and broth, especially traditional in Madrid and often served in stages.
Crisp fried squid rings served in a baguette roll. This iconic Madrid street food is especially linked to bars around Plaza Mayor.
Tripe stew with chorizo and morcilla in a rich sauce. A classic old Madrid tavern dish with deep local roots.
Refined two-Michelin-star dining focused on seasonal Spanish produce, with elegant modern cooking in a polished fine-dining room.
Traditional Madrid restaurant known for cocido madrileño served in stages, with an old-school dining room and loyal local following.
Historic century-old tavern famed for roast suckling pig and Castilian dishes in a classic, wood-lined setting near Plaza Mayor.
Moderate for Western Europe: hotels vary, dining is reasonable, and public transport is good value for tourists.
Tipping is modest: round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Taxis are usually rounded up. In cafés, small change is enough.
Official public transport app
Madrid Estación Sur de Autobuses -> Puerta del Sol
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Madrid 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 Madrid, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Essen to Madrid buses use the Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) to Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses station pair, with some services arriving at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid). Use this guide to compare Essen and Madrid bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses is 3 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafetería de la estación (in the station), Restaurante El Brillante (0.5 km), La Taberna de Domínguez (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses.
Available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses: Elevators, ramps.
Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) is 12 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) has practical services for this route, including Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Rodilla, Mahoudrid
ATMs are aTMs located throughout T4, major cards accepted .
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid).
Available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid): WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid): Step-free access, elevators, accessible toilets.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need