- Must visit
Museum of Broken Relationships
A globally known Zagreb museum presenting personal objects and stories about ended relationships in a creative, emotional format.
Cheapest price
$72
Average price
$80
Fastest journey
19 h 5 m
Average duration
19 h 5 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
909 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Essen to Zagreb is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Zagreb will cost around $80 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $72.
Of the 2 buses that leave Essen for Zagreb on Sat, Jun 20, 2 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 909 km distance in an average of 19 h 5 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 19 h 5 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest buses will take 19 h 5 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 flight as it is the most popular option from Essen to Zagreb among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $63. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 7m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.3 - 0.8kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $63, and a flight costs an average of $34.
Distance: 564 miles (909 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$95 Average price Cheapest | $195 Average price | $165 Average price | $77 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
19h 17m Average total duration 18h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 7m Average total duration Fastest 2h 7m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 16h 4m Average total duration 15h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 1m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.9 - 2.3kg CO2 emissions | 2.7 - 5.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Zagreb:
A bus is $71 (€58) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Zagreb costing on average $165 (€135).
A bus is $101 (€82) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Essen to Zagreb costing on average $195 (€160).
Other travel options to Zagreb take longer:
Train takes on average 15h 34m.
Bus takes on average 18h 47m.
You'll arrive about -7h -46m sooner (18h 47m by bus vs 12h 1m by car) and save roughly $-18.00 (€-14.75) compared to fuel and tolls ($95 (€77) vs $77 (€63)). 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 FlixBus.
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 06:40AM | Arrival Time 02:00AM | Duration 19h20 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $72 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:40AM | Arrival Time 02:45AM | Duration 19h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 06:50AM | Duration 16h50 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $72 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 07:50AM | Duration 16h50 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $76 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:05PM | Arrival Time 08:40PM | Duration 25h35 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $202 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 05:30PM | Duration 22h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $111 |
The table below shows live departures for Essen to Zagreb 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 2:00 PM Essen | 16h50 | 6:50 AM Zagreb | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, June 20 | |||||
![]() | 6:40 AM Essen | 19h05 | 1:45 AM Zagreb | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:40 AM Essen | 19h05 | 2:45 AM Zagreb | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, 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 Zagreb run on average 8 times per day, taking around 18h 47m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $63 (€52) but you can travel from only $34 (€28) by flight.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:30. The fastest bus covers the 564 miles (909 km) distance in 16h 50m.
Distance 564 miles (909 km) |
Average bus duration 18h 47m |
Cheapest ticket price $63 (€52) |
Buses per day 8 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 16h 50m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 42 days |
Discover the best of Zagreb — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Zagreb trip today.
A globally known Zagreb museum presenting personal objects and stories about ended relationships in a creative, emotional format.
A major fine arts museum with European paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, and archaeological objects in a grand historic building.
Zagreb’s leading modern art museum, known for Croatian and international contemporary works, installations, and large exhibition spaces.
Zagreb’s main square and natural starting point for exploring the city, surrounded by shops, historic facades, and tram connections.
A lively pedestrian street linking the center with the Upper Town, popular for atmosphere, strolling, and classic Zagreb city scenes.
The historic core of Zagreb with cobbled streets, landmarks, viewpoints, and a strong old-city atmosphere ideal for walking.
A classic Zagorje and Zagreb specialty of baked or boiled pastry filled with fresh cheese and sour cream. It is one of the city’s most iconic comfort foods.
Roast turkey served with mlinci, thin baked dough softened in roasting juices. This festive dish is strongly associated with northern Croatia and Zagreb family meals.
A Zagreb-style breaded veal or pork cutlet stuffed with ham and cheese, then fried. It is a local variation on a schnitzel and a well-known city classic.
Well-known traditional restaurant with a rustic atmosphere, popular for Zagreb and continental Croatian dishes such as turkey with mlinci and local stews.
Casual specialist spot in the old town dedicated to sweet and savory štrukli, making it one of the best-known places to try this Zagreb classic.
Long-established central restaurant serving traditional Croatian dishes, grilled meats, seafood, and regional specialties in an elegant but approachable setting.
Moderate for Europe. Cafes and local eateries are reasonable, while central hotels and upscale dining cost more.
Service is usually included or modest. Round up in cafes and taxis; leave about 5-10% in restaurants for good service.
Official public transport app
Zagreb Bus Station, Zagreb -> Ban Jelačić Square, Zagreb
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Zagreb 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 Zagreb, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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