Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Karlsruhe to Essen
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Karlsruhe to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €22. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 30m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €22, and a train costs an average of €19.
Distance: 180 miles (290 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€64 Average price | €29 Average price Cheapest |
4h 0m Average total duration Fastest 3h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 50m Average total duration 5h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Travel optionsfrom Karlsruhe to Essen
How to get from Karlsruhe to Essen by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Karlsruhe to Essen is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

Cheapest

Fastest

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
Compare train and bus 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.
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FAQs: Travel from Karlsruhe 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 Karlsruhe to Essen.

This is compared to other travel options from Karlsruhe to Essen:
A train is $3 (€3) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Karlsruhe to Essen costing on average $27 (€22).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 30m.
- Around 11 trains per day.
- Around 11 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Karlsruhe and Essen as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Karlsruhe Hbf and arrive in Essen Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Karlsruhe Hbf and arrive in Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof).
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar to go to Essen by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn to go to Essen by train.
- 6 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
- 1 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn.
Travelling from Karlsruhe to Essen: related information
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