The cheapest and fastest buses from Karlsruhe to Essen
Cheapest price
$34
Average price
$41
Fastest journey
6 h 30 m
Average duration
6 h 38 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
290 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Karlsruhe to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Karlsruhe to Essen will cost around $41 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $34.
Of the 2 buses that leave Karlsruhe for Essen on Thu, Nov 06, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Nov 06 the direct buses cover the 290 km distance in an average of 6 h 38 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 30 m .
On Thu, Nov 06 the slowest buses will take 6 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.




Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Karlsruhe to Essen
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Karlsruhe to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €14. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 29m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €14, and a train costs an average of €21.
Distance: 180 miles (290 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
€27 Average price Cheapest | €79 Average price |
5h 50m Average total duration 5h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 59m Average total duration Fastest 3h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Karlsruhe to Essen bus times
The table below shows live departures for Karlsruhe to Essen buses for today, Wednesday, November 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:55 PM Karlsruhe | 6h30 | 4:25 AM Essen | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, November 6 | |||||
![]() | 8:55 AM Karlsruhe | 6h45 | 3:40 PM Essen | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Karlsruhe to Essen by train or bus
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.
Nov 06
Nov 07
Nov 08
Nov 09
Nov 10
Nov 11
Nov 12
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Karlsruhe to Essen
Buses from Karlsruhe to Essen run on average 10 times per day, taking around 5h 20m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $17 (€14) if you book in advance.
There are 6 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 180 miles (290 km) distance in 6h 30m.
Distance 180 miles (290 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price $17 (€14) |
Buses per day 10 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 6h 30m |
First bus 00:15 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Bus providers: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar from Karlsruhe to EssenYou can travel by bus between Karlsruhe to Essen with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar for as low as $17 (€14). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
BlaBlaCar
FAQs: Bus from Karlsruhe to Essen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Karlsruhe to Essen 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 Essen, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Passengers board the bus most frequently from Karlsruhe Hbf, which is located around 1.7 miles (2.8 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the bus at Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof), located 0.9 miles (1.5 km) away from the city centre.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Karlsruhe to Essen, follow these tips:
Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- Guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Karlsruhe to Essen
Most popular bus connections from Karlsruhe
More options for your journey from Karlsruhe to Essen
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