4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Munich to Essen
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Munich to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $62 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 11m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $62, while a flight costs an average of $442.
Distance: 306 miles (493 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$138 Average price | $442 Average price | $62 Average price Cheapest | $65 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 21m Average total duration 5h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 11m Average total duration Fastest 2h 11m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 12h 4m Average total duration 11h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 2m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.5 - 3.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular airline |  Most popular bus company | 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.
Compare ways to travel from Munich to Essen
Compare the available ways to get from Munich to Essen, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Munich to Essen:
A bus is $76 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Munich to Essen costing on average $138.
A bus is $381 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Munich to Essen costing on average $442.
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 21m.
Bus takes on average 12h 4m.
You'll arrive about 1h 11m sooner (5h 51m by train vs 7h 2m by car). Tickets start at around $138 compared to roughly $65 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 Munich to Essen
How to get from Munich to Essen by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Munich to Essen is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- FlixBus
9:40 PM 9h45 Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) 7:25 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) $52 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus
9:40 PM 9h45 Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) 7:25 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) $52 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
EW858:40 PM 1h10 Munich Airport 9:50 PM Cologne Bonn Airport $327 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
- ICE 1100 · ICE 682 · 26720
8:34 AM 7h09 Munich Hbf 3:43 PM Essen Hbf $178 1 One-way 2 transfers - ICE 612 · IC 2047 · ICE 200 · 26721
7:28 AM 6h43 Munich Hbf 2:11 PM Essen Hbf $183 1 One-way 3 transfers - ICE 882 · 26718
7:53 AM 6h52 Munich Hbf 2:45 PM Essen Hbf $195 1 One-way 1 transfer
- FlixBus
2:00 AM 9h50 Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) 11:50 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) $52 1 One-way 0 transfers - FlixBus
10:00 AM 11h50 Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) 9:50 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) $58 1 One-way 0 transfers - FlixBus · FlixBus
12:30 AM 12h15 München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz 12:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) $70 1 One-way 1 transfer
- EW7173 · EW9035
2:45 PM 4h15 Munich Airport 7:00 PM Dusseldorf Airport $306 1 One-way 1 transfer - EW7173 · EW9037
2:45 PM 5h25 Munich Airport 8:10 PM Dusseldorf Airport $306 1 One-way 1 transfer 
LH42403:45 PM 1h10 Munich Airport 4:55 PM Cologne Bonn Airport $328 1 One-way 0 transfers
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, 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.
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FAQs: Travel from Munich 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 Munich to Essen.
This is compared to other travel options from Munich to Essen:
A bus is $76 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Munich to Essen costing on average $138.
A bus is $381 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Munich to Essen costing on average $442.
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 21m.
Bus takes on average 12h 4m.
- Around 25 flights per day.
- Around 11 buses per day.
- Around 9 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Munich and Essen as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Munich Airport and arrive in Dusseldorf Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Munich Hbf and arrive in Essen Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) and arrive in Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof).
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn to go to Essen by train.
- Travel with Lufthansa, Condor Flugdienst, Eurowings, Lufthansa City Airlines, British Airways, Lot Polish Airlines, Lufthansa Cityline, CitizenPlane, Air Baltic, GetJet Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Avion Express Malta, Smartwings, Air Dolomiti to go to Essen by flight.
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus to go to Essen by bus.
- 2 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn.
- 16 direct flights per day with Lufthansa, Eurowings, Lufthansa City Airlines, Lufthansa Cityline, CitizenPlane, Air Baltic, Avion Express Malta, Smartwings, Air Dolomiti.
- 6 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
Travelling from Munich to Essen: related information
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