4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Erfurt to Essen
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Erfurt to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $37 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 5h 10m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $37, while a train costs an average of $106.
Distance: 177 miles (285 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$106 Average price | $37 Average price Cheapest | $61 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 10m Average total duration Fastest 4h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 23m Average total duration 6h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 21m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Compare ways to travel from Erfurt to Essen
Compare the available ways to get from Erfurt to Essen, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Erfurt to Essen:
A bus is $69 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Erfurt to Essen costing on average $106.
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 23m.
Tickets start at around $106 compared to roughly $61 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about -$45. The journey takes 4h 40m versus 4h 21m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Travel optionsfrom Erfurt to Essen
How to get from Erfurt to Essen by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Erfurt to Essen is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- FlixBus · FlixBus
9:15 PM 10h10 Erfurt, Busbahnhof 2 7:25 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) $41 1 One-way 1 transfer
Cheapest
- FlixBus · FlixBus
9:15 PM 10h10 Erfurt, Busbahnhof 2 7:25 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) $41 1 One-way 1 transfer
Fastest
- ICE 279 · ICE 726 · ICE 549
8:27 AM 4h51 Erfurt Hbf 1:18 PM Essen Hbf $139 1 One-way 2 transfers
Other options
- 18664 · ICE 684 · IC 2046 · 26820
9:07 AM 5h00 Erfurt Hbf 2:07 PM Essen Hbf $82 1 One-way 3 transfers - 3944 · ICE 774 · ICE 942
8:09 AM 5h26 Erfurt Hbf 1:35 PM Essen Hbf $112 1 One-way 2 transfers - ICE 279 · ICE 684 · 26716
8:27 AM 5h16 Erfurt Hbf 1:43 PM Essen Hbf $124 1 One-way 2 transfers
- FlixBus · FlixBus
3:40 AM 12h35 Erfurt, Busbahnhof 2 4:15 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) $46 1 One-way 1 transfer - FlixBus · FlixBus
2:10 AM 10h35 Erfurt, Busbahnhof 2 12:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) $54 1 One-way 1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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FAQs: Travel from Erfurt to Essen
Travel to Essen easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Erfurt to Essen.
This is compared to other travel options from Erfurt to Essen:
A bus is $69 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Erfurt to Essen costing on average $106.
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 23m.
- Around 7 trains per day.
- Around 2 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Erfurt and Essen as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Erfurt Hbf and arrive in Essen Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Erfurt, Busbahnhof 2 and arrive in Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof).
- Travel with FlixBus to go to Essen by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain to go to Essen by train.
Travelling from Erfurt to Essen: related information
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