4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Essen to Erfurt
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Essen to Erfurt among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $30 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 5h 6m. 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 $30, while a train costs an average of $133.
Distance: 177 miles (285 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$30 Average price Cheapest | $133 Average price | $62 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 30m Average total duration 6h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 6m Average total duration Fastest 4h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 38m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular bus company |  Most popular train 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.
This is compared to other travel options from Essen to Erfurt:
A bus is $104 (€86) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Erfurt costing on average $133 (€110).
Other travel options to Erfurt take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 30m.
You'll arrive about 2m sooner (4h 36m by train vs 4h 38m by car). Tickets start at around $133 (€110) compared to roughly $62 (€51) in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
Travel optionsfrom Essen to Erfurt
How to get from Essen to Erfurt by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Essen to Erfurt is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- 7:30 PM8h15Essen3:45 AMErfurt$451One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 7:30 PM8h15Essen3:45 AMErfurt$451One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- 7:30 PM8h15Essen3:45 AMErfurt$451One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 3:00 AM10h10Essen1:10 PMErfurt$471One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Essen to Erfurt
Travel to Erfurt 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 Essen to Erfurt.
This is compared to other travel options from Essen to Erfurt:
A bus is $104 (€86) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Erfurt costing on average $133 (€110).
Other travel options to Erfurt take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 30m.
- Around 6 trains per day.
- Around 1 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Essen and Erfurt as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Buses mostly depart from Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) and arrive in Erfurt, Busbahnhof 2.
- Trains mostly depart from Essen Hbf and arrive in Erfurt Hbf.
- Travel with FlixBus to go to Erfurt by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain to go to Erfurt by train.
- 1 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
- 1 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn.
Travelling from Essen to Erfurt: related information
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