How to travel from Erfurt to Essen

Sat, Sep 26
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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 24m. 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 $85.

Distance: 177 miles (285 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

$85

Average price

$37

Average price

Cheapest

$61

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

5h 24m

Average total duration

Fastest

4h 54m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

7h 27m

Average total duration

6h 57m

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

Deutsche Bahn

Most popular train company

FlixBus

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.

The cheapest way to travel from Erfurt to Essen is a bus with an average price of $37 (€31).

This is compared to other travel options from Erfurt to Essen:

A bus is $48 (€40) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Erfurt to Essen costing on average $85 (€70).

The fastest way to travel from Erfurt to Essen is by train with an average journey time of 5h 24m.

Other travel options to Essen take longer:

Bus takes on average 7h 27m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Erfurt and Essen including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Erfurt to Essen among Omio's users.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.

Tickets start at around $85 (€70) compared to roughly $61 (€50) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-24.50 (€-20.23). The journey takes 4h 54m 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 options
from Erfurt to Essen

How to get from Erfurt to Essen by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

bus

The best way to travel from Erfurt to Essen is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    9:15 PM9h10
    Erfurt, Busbahnhof 2
    6:25 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)
    $331One-way
    1 transfer

Cheapest

  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    9:15 PM9h10
    Erfurt, Busbahnhof 2
    6:25 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)
    $331One-way
    1 transfer

Fastest

  • Deutsche BahnICE 750 · ICE 726 · S6
    8:50 AM4h52
    Erfurt Hbf
    1:42 PMEssen Hbf
    $1321One-way
    2 transfers

Other options

  • Deutsche BahnICE 1654 · 24264 · 26716
    8:16 AM5h29
    Erfurt Hbf
    1:45 PMEssen Hbf
    $931One-way
    2 transfers
  • Deutsche Bahn3654 · ICE 886 · ICE 652+VIAS Rail GmbH31319
    8:09 AM5h18
    Erfurt Hbf
    1:27 PMEssen Hbf
    $1111One-way
    3 transfers
  • Deutsche BahnICE 1654 · ICE 612 · ICE 1020 · 10216
    8:16 AM5h05
    Erfurt Hbf
    1:21 PMEssen Hbf
    $1561One-way
    3 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    3:40 AM9h40
    Erfurt, Busbahnhof 2
    1:20 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)
    $331One-way
    1 transfer
  • FlixTrainFlixTrain+FlixBusFlixBus
    9:47 AM12h03
    Erfurt Hbf
    9:50 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)
    $331One-way
    1 transfer
  • FlixTrainFlixTrain+FlixBusFlixBus
    11:47 AM12h08
    Erfurt Hbf
    11:55 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)
    $331One-way
    1 transfer

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

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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.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Erfurt and Essen including taking a train and bus.
The cheapest way to travel from Erfurt to Essen is a bus with an average price of $37 (€31).

This is compared to other travel options from Erfurt to Essen:

A bus is $48 (€40) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Erfurt to Essen costing on average $85 (€70).

The fastest way to travel from Erfurt to Essen is by train with an average journey time of 5h 24m.

Other travel options to Essen take longer:

Bus takes on average 7h 27m.

The distance from Erfurt to Essen is approximately 177 miles (285 km).
The average frequency per day from Erfurt to Essen is:
  • Around 5 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.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Erfurt to Essen:
  • Trains mostly depart from Erfurt Hbf and arrive in Essen Hbf.
  • Buses mostly depart from Erfurt, Busbahnhof 2 and arrive in Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof).
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Erfurt to Essen, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with FlixBus to go to Essen by bus.
  • Travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain to go to Essen by train.
Omio customers who travel from Erfurt to Essen often also extend their vacation to go to Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Düsseldorf. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Essen and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Essen to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
To explore Essen's key attractions, such as the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, Museum Folkwang, and Grugapark, a stay of 2 to 3 days is generally sufficient.

Travelling from Erfurt to Essen: related information

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeTravelTravel to GermanyTravel to EssenHow to travel from Erfurt to Essen

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