- Must visit
Museum Folkwang
World-class art museum in the Villa Hügel parkland, famous for 19th and 20th century masterpieces and changing exhibitions.
Cheapest price
$61
Average price
$72
Fastest journey
18 h 55 m
Average duration
20 h 58 m
Buses per day
7
Distance
685 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Milan to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Milan to Essen will cost around $72 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $61.
Of the 7 buses that leave Milan for Essen on Mon, Aug 24, 7 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Aug 24 the direct buses cover the 685 km distance in an average of 20 h 58 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 18 h 55 m .
On Mon, Aug 24 the slowest buses will take 22 h 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 flight as it is the most popular option from Milan to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $24. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 58m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the bus is your best bet as it emits only 0.7 - 1.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $24, and a train costs an average of $230.
Distance: 425 miles (685 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$86 Average price | $71 Average price Cheapest | $337 Average price | $254 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
19h 56m Average total duration 19h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 58m Average total duration Fastest 1h 58m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 10h 51m Average total duration 10h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 52m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.7 - 1.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.1 - 4.1kg 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 Milan to Essen:
A flight is $15 (€12) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Milan to Essen costing on average $86 (€69).
A flight is $266 (€214) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Milan to Essen costing on average $337 (€271).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Train takes on average 10h 21m.
Bus takes on average 19h 26m.
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 01:15AM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 20h35 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $80 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:35AM | Arrival Time 04:25AM | Duration 22h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 05:25AM | Duration 23h25 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:15AM | Arrival Time 11:40PM | Duration 16h25 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $90 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:35AM | Arrival Time 02:55AM | Duration 19h20 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $83 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:15AM | Arrival Time 07:25AM | Duration 23h10 | Departure days Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $94 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 04:25AM | Duration 18h55 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 06:25AM | Duration 19h55 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $59 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 06:25AM | Duration 18h55 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $81 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 07:25AM | Duration 17h25 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $88 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 10:50AM | Duration 19h30 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:35PM | Arrival Time 10:50AM | Duration 19h15 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $91 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:35PM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 23h15 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $90 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:45PM | Arrival Time 09:55AM | Duration 17h10 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $80 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:50PM | Arrival Time 10:50AM | Duration 18h00 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $80 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 04:50PM | Arrival Time 04:45PM | Duration 23h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $67 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:10PM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 22h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $76 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:35PM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 23h15 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 05:50PM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 24h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $72 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 05:45PM | Duration 23h45 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $75 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:10PM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 21h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $66 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:25PM | Arrival Time 11:03AM | Duration 16h38 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $119 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:35PM | Arrival Time 05:45PM | Duration 23h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $90 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 06:50PM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 23h55 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $83 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 12:48PM | Duration 17h48 | Departure days Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $96 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 05:45PM | Duration 22h35 | Departure days Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $109 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:25PM | Arrival Time 12:03PM | Duration 16h38 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $97 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 07:45PM | Duration 23h45 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $112 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:25PM | Arrival Time 12:45PM | Duration 16h20 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $80 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:45PM | Arrival Time 03:45PM | Duration 18h00 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $83 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:10PM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 18h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $92 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:45PM | Arrival Time 04:02PM | Duration 17h17 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $66 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 05:45PM | Duration 18h00 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $97 |
The table below shows live departures for Milan to Essen buses for today, Sunday, August 23. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4782 · 50428 | 8:00 PM Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano | 23h45 | 7:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus+ FlixTrain | 8:25 PM Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano | 16h38 | 1:03 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:25 PM Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano | 16h20 | 12:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 9:45 PM Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano | 18h25 | 4:10 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:45 PM Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano | 18h50 | 5:35 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus+ FlixTrain | 11:45 PM Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano | 17h17 | 5:02 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:45 PM Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano | 18h00 | 5:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
| Monday, August 24 | |||||
![]() | 6:00 AM Milan | 23h25 | 5:25 AM Essen | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:30 AM Milan | 18h55 | 4:25 AM Essen | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:30 AM Milan | 21h32 | 8:02 AM Essen | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:10 PM Milan | 22h40 | 3:50 PM Essen | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
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 Milan to Essen run on average 17 times per day, taking around 19h 26m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $63 (€51) but you can travel from only $24 (€19) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 00:01, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 425 miles (685 km) distance in 16h 20m.
Distance 425 miles (685 km) |
Average bus duration 19h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price $63 (€51) |
Buses per day 17 |
Fastest bus 16h 20m |
First bus 12:01 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 42 days |
Discover the best of Essen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Essen trip today.
World-class art museum in the Villa Hügel parkland, famous for 19th and 20th century masterpieces and changing exhibitions.
Ruhr Museum presents the region’s natural, cultural, and industrial history inside Zollverein’s iconic coal washery.
Internationally important poster museum with graphic design, advertising, and visual culture collections in a central location.
Large urban lake with promenades, sailing, and scenic paths; a favorite leisure area for locals and visitors alike.
Lively central pedestrian street for shopping and city life, linking Essen’s station area with key downtown landmarks.
Leafy city park with botanical features, sculptures, and open lawns near major museums and cultural institutions.
A hearty potato pancake from the Ruhr area, usually served with applesauce or beet syrup. It is a beloved regional comfort food eaten at fairs and homes.
Traditional rye bread from Westphalia, baked dark and dense with a slightly sweet flavor. It is a staple across the region and often served with ham or cheese.
A classic Rhineland-Ruhr beef roast marinated in vinegar and spices, then braised. It is a festive dish found on Sunday and holiday menus.
Refined two-star dining in Villa Hügel parkland, known for modern French-inspired cuisine, polished service, and one of Essen's most prestigious settings.
Traditional brewery restaurant in Werden serving hearty regional dishes and house beers in a historic, rustic atmosphere popular with locals and visitors.
Casual local favorite for grilled meats, schnitzel, and classic pub plates, with a lively traditional atmosphere and dependable portions.
Moderate for Germany. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt, while local transit and casual meals stay fairly affordable for visitors.
Tipping is modest. Round up or add about 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Taxi fares are often rounded up. In cafes, small change or rounding up is typical.
Official public transport app
Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) -> Kennedyplatz, Essen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Milan 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.

Most Milan to Essen buses use the Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano to Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) station pair. Use this guide to compare Milan and Essen bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano is 5 km from Milan city centre. Public transport options include:
Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Lampugnano (in the station), Trattoria Milano (0.5 km), Pizza Express (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano.
Available at Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano: Elevators, ramps.
Milano, San Donato - Settore B (Viale Giuseppe Impastato) is 6 km from Milan city centre. Public transport options include:
Milano, San Donato - Settore B (Viale Giuseppe Impastato) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Italiana (in the station), Fast Food Express (in the station), Trattoria Milano (0.5 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance for cash withdrawals.
Ticket office support is available at Milano, San Donato - Settore B (Viale Giuseppe Impastato).
Available at Milano, San Donato - Settore B (Viale Giuseppe Impastato): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Milano, San Donato - Settore B (Viale Giuseppe Impastato): Elevators, ramps.
Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafes and snack bars nearby.
Free WiFi is available in the waiting area. ATMs are aTM machines available inside the station.
Ticket office support is available at Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof).
Available at Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof): Wheelchair accessible routes and facilities available.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need