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 prices starting from $35. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 9m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $35, and a flight costs an average of $83.
Distance: 306 miles (493 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$138 Average price | $224 Average price | $51 Average price Cheapest | $65 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 13m Average total duration 5h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 9m Average total duration Fastest 1h 9m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 13h 14m Average total duration 12h 44m 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.
This is compared to other travel options from Munich to Essen:
A bus is $87 (€71) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Munich to Essen costing on average $138 (€113).
A bus is $172 (€141) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Munich to Essen costing on average $224 (€183).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 43m.
Bus takes on average 12h 44m.
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.
FlixBus9:40 PM9h45Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)7:25 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$401One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
FlixBus9:40 PM9h45Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)7:25 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$401One-way0 transfers
Fastest
EW90898:35 PM1h10Munich Airport9:45 PMDusseldorf Airport$1961One-way0 transfers
Other options
ICE 72010:45 AM5h17Munich Hbf4:02 PMEssen Hbf$981One-way0 transfers
ICE 7229:46 AM5h16Munich Hbf3:02 PMEssen Hbf$1101One-way0 transfers
ICE 1094 · ICE 9189:47 AM5h35Munich Hbf3:22 PMEssen Hbf$1101One-way1 transfer
FlixBus2:00 AM9h50Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)11:50 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$421One-way0 transfers
FlixBus8:00 AM9h50Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)5:50 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$431One-way0 transfers
FlixBus+
FlixTrain8:00 AM12h48Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)8:48 PMEssen Hbf$441One-way1 transfer
EW90874:05 PM1h10Munich Airport5:15 PMDusseldorf Airport$2721One-way0 transfers
EW90851:05 PM1h10Munich Airport2:15 PMDusseldorf Airport$2721One-way0 transfers
EW858:40 PM1h10Munich Airport9:50 PMCologne Bonn Airport$2971One-way0 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
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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 $87 (€71) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Munich to Essen costing on average $138 (€113).
A bus is $172 (€141) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Munich to Essen costing on average $224 (€183).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 43m.
Bus takes on average 12h 44m.
- Around 24 flights per day.
- Around 16 buses per day.
- Around 11 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 FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, Globtour Medjugorjie d.o.o., BlaBlaCar Bus, Trans Turist to go to Essen by bus.
- Travel with Eurowings, Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cityline, Lufthansa City Airlines to go to Essen by flight.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC), Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) to go to Essen by train.
- 7 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, Trans Turist.
- 16 direct flights per day with Eurowings, Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cityline, Lufthansa City Airlines.
- 3 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn Intercity (DB IC).
Travelling from Munich to Essen: related information
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