- 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
$67
Average price
$76
Fastest journey
15 h 35 m
Average duration
16 h 9 m
Buses per day
11
Distance
761 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Vienna to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Vienna to Essen will cost around $76 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $67.
Of the 11 buses that leave Vienna for Essen 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 761 km distance in an average of 16 h 9 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 15 h 35 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest buses will take 16 h 50 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.
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FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Vienna to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $55. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 34m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $55, and a flight costs an average of $50.
Distance: 472 miles (761 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$78 Average price Cheapest | $165 Average price | $174 Average price | $81 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
13h 48m Average total duration 13h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 20m Average total duration 8h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 34m Average total duration Fastest 2h 34m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 9h 14m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.8 - 1.9kg CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.3 - 4.6kg 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 Vienna to Essen:
A bus is $87 (€71) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Vienna to Essen costing on average $165 (€135).
A bus is $96 (€79) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Vienna to Essen costing on average $174 (€143).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Train takes on average 8h 50m.
Bus takes on average 13h 18m.
Tickets start at around $78 (€64) compared to roughly $81 (€67) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $3 (€3). The journey takes 13h 18m versus 9h 14m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:40AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 9h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $76 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:40AM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 17h10 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:00AM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 16h50 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:05AM | Arrival Time 02:55AM | Duration 19h50 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:10AM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 9h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 9h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 16h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 16h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 06:05AM | Duration 15h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:35PM | Arrival Time 06:25AM | Duration 15h50 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:55PM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 18h55 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:35PM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 18h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:55PM | Arrival Time 09:02AM | Duration 15h07 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:45PM | Arrival Time 12:48PM | Duration 16h03 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 12:48PM | Duration 15h48 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:15PM | Arrival Time 02:45PM | Duration 17h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 04:48PM | Duration 18h48 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 03:30PM | Duration 17h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $90 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:55PM | Arrival Time 05:02PM | Duration 18h07 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 08:20AM | Duration 9h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 17h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 05:45PM | Duration 18h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $47 |
The table below shows live departures for Vienna to Essen 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus+ FlixTrain | 5:55 PM Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) | 15h07 | 9:02 AM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus+ FlixTrain | 10:00 PM Vienna, Central Station Südtiroler Platz | 18h48 | 4:48 PM Essen Hbf | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus | 10:30 PM Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) | 17h00 | 3:30 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus+ FlixTrain | 10:55 PM Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) | 18h07 | 5:02 PM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:45 PM Vienna, Central Station Südtiroler Platz | 18h00 | 5:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 2:40 AM Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) | 17h10 | 7:50 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:00 AM Vienna, Central Station Südtiroler Platz | 16h50 | 7:50 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:05 AM Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) | 19h50 | 2:55 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:30 PM Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) | 16h30 | 5:00 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:00 PM Vienna, Central Station Südtiroler Platz | 16h00 | 5:00 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 2:30 PM Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) | 15h35 | 6:05 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 2:35 PM Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) | 15h50 | 6:25 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:55 PM Vienna, Central Station Südtiroler Platz | 18h55 | 11:50 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 5:35 PM Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) | 18h15 | 11:50 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
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 Vienna to Essen run on average 17 times per day, taking around 13h 18m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $55 (€45) but you can travel from only $50 (€41) by flight.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 472 miles (761 km) distance in 15h 7m.
Distance 472 miles (761 km) |
Average bus duration 13h 18m |
Cheapest ticket price $55 (€45) |
Buses per day 17 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 15h 7m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 14 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 Vienna 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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