- Must visit
Museum Folkwang
One of Germany’s leading art museums, known for major collections of 19th- to 21st-century painting, photography, and design.
Cheapest price
$48
Average price
$50
Fastest journey
12 h 30 m
Average duration
13 h 59 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
595 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Salzburg to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Salzburg to Essen will cost around $50 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $48.
Of the 2 buses that leave Salzburg for Essen on Thu, Jun 18, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jun 18 the direct buses cover the 595 km distance in an average of 13 h 59 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 12 h 30 m .
On Thu, Jun 18 the slowest buses will take 15 h 27 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 Salzburg to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $45. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 17m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $45, and a flight costs an average of $82.
Distance: 369 miles (595 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$63 Average price Cheapest | $156 Average price | $242 Average price | $66 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
12h 50m Average total duration 12h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 17m Average total duration 8h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 17m Average total duration Fastest 1h 17m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 8h 43m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.6 - 1.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.8 - 3.6kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | 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 Salzburg to Essen:
A bus is $93 (€75) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Salzburg to Essen costing on average $156 (€126).
A bus is $179 (€145) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Salzburg to Essen costing on average $242 (€196).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Train takes on average 8h 47m.
Bus takes on average 12h 20m.
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 12:15AM | Arrival Time 04:48PM | Duration 16h33 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 15h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:35AM | Arrival Time 11:40PM | Duration 15h05 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:45AM | Arrival Time 11:55PM | Duration 15h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:10AM | Arrival Time 01:55AM | Duration 14h45 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:10PM | Arrival Time 02:55AM | Duration 14h45 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:35PM | Arrival Time 08:02AM | Duration 15h27 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:35PM | Arrival Time 07:25AM | Duration 13h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:20PM | Arrival Time 02:48PM | Duration 17h28 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:40PM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 14h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:20PM | Arrival Time 04:02PM | Duration 17h42 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:20PM | Arrival Time 12:45PM | Duration 13h25 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $46 |
The table below shows live departures for Salzburg to Essen buses for today, Wednesday, June 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:20 PM Salzburg | 13h25 | 10:45 AM Essen | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:20 PM Salzburg | 17h42 | 4:02 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 Salzburg to Essen run on average 10 times per day, taking around 12h 20m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $45 (€37) but you can travel from only $38 (€31) by train.
The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:20. The fastest bus covers the 369 miles (595 km) distance in 12h 30m.
Distance 369 miles (595 km) |
Average bus duration 12h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price $45 (€37) |
Buses per day 10 |
Fastest bus 12h 30m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Essen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Essen trip today.
One of Germany’s leading art museums, known for major collections of 19th- to 21st-century painting, photography, and design.
A key museum for the Ruhr region’s history, archaeology, and natural heritage, housed in the iconic Zollverein Coal Washery.
A major design museum displaying award-winning contemporary product and industrial design inside the Zollverein complex.
Large open area around the Zollverein complex with striking industrial scenery, walking paths, and some of Essen’s most photographed views.
A major leisure area around a reservoir on the Ruhr, popular for walking, cycling, lakeside views, and social-media-friendly sunsets.
Charming historic quarter with half-timbered buildings, cobbled streets, and a relaxed small-town feel within Essen.
Sliced grilled sausage with curry ketchup and fries, a beloved Ruhr area fast-food classic found across Essen.
A traditional Westphalian beef stew seasoned generously with pepper and onions, long associated with the wider region around Essen.
A hearty Rhineland dish of mashed potatoes and applesauce, often served with black pudding; common in western German home cooking.
Refined dining in Schloss Hugenpoet, offering upscale cuisine in a historic manor-house atmosphere south of central Essen.
Well-known fine-dining restaurant in Essen with modern creative cuisine and an elegant, intimate atmosphere.
Long-established restaurant and beer garden popular for German and regional dishes in a relaxed, green setting.
Moderate by German standards. Budget eats are reasonable, while hotels and sit-down dining cost more.
Service is usually included. Round up small bills; tip about 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Round up in taxis. Little or no tip is fine for counter service.
Official public transport app
Essen Freiheit Hauptbahnhof, Essen -> Essen Hauptbahnhof, Essen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Salzburg 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.

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