Cologne to Essen bus with FlixBus

Sat, Nov 22
+ Add return
FlixBus
BlaBlaCar
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Navette Beauvais
Alsa
1,000+ travel companies
FlixBus
BlaBlaCar
AirCoach
Navette Beauvais
Alsa
1,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest buses from Cologne to Essen

Showing times and prices for Nov 25

Cheapest price

€5

Average price

€6

Fastest journey

1 h 25 m

Average duration

1 h 41 m

Buses per day

4

Distance

58 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cologne to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Cologne to Essen will cost around €6 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €5.

Fast buses

Of the 4 buses that leave Cologne for Essen on Tue, Nov 25, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Tue, Nov 25 the direct buses cover the 58 km distance in an average of 1 h 41 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 25 m .

On Tue, Nov 25 the slowest buses will take 1 h 55 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

FlixBus
06:25AM1h40
Cologne
08:05AMEssen
51One-way
0 transfers
FlixBus
09:15PM1h45
Cologne
11:00PMEssen
61One-way
0 transfers
FlixBus
08:30PM1h25
Cologne
09:55PMEssen
61One-way
0 transfers
FlixBus
06:40PM1h55
Cologne
08:35PMEssen
61One-way
0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Cologne to Essen

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €4. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 57m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €4, and a train costs an average of €5.

Distance: 58 km

Compare bus with

Bus
Most popular
Train

€6

Average price

Cheapest

€11

Average price

1h 50m

Average total duration

1h 20m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 27m

Average total duration

Fastest

57m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest
FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Deutsche Bahn

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Cologne to Essen bus times

The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Essen buses for today, Monday, November 24. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.

Last updated at 12:03 AM
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
meinfernbus_flixbus3:05 AM Cologne
2h00
5:05 AM Essen0 transfersDirect
meinfernbus_flixbus6:25 AM Cologne
1h40
8:05 AM Essen0 transfersDirect
meinfernbus_flixbus8:50 AM Cologne
2h00
10:50 AM Essen0 transfersDirect
meinfernbus_flixbus6:40 PM Cologne
1h55
8:35 PM Essen0 transfersDirect
meinfernbus_flixbus9:15 PM Cologne
1h45
11:00 PM Essen0 transfersDirect

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Cologne to Essen by train or bus

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.

Tue
Nov 25
Wed
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Nov 29
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Nov 30
Mon
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Journey information

Overview: Bus from Cologne to Essen

GermanyGermany
GermanyGermany
Icon of bus

Buses from Cologne to Essen run on average 13 times per day, taking around 1h 20m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €4 if you book in advance.

There are 13 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 03:15, the last at 23:15. The fastest bus covers the 58 km distance in 1h 25m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
58 km
Average bus duration
1h 20m
Cheapest ticket price
€4
Buses per day
13
Direct buses
13
Fastest bus
1h 25m
First bus
03:15
Last bus
23:15
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar from Cologne to EssenYou can travel by bus between Cologne to Essen with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar for as low as €4. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

FlixBus

About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 25m
Cheapest Price
€4
FlixBus frequency
10 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.

BlaBlaCar

About
BlaBlaCar is a French online marketplace for carpooling, connecting drivers with empty seats and passengers traveling to the same destination to share costs. Founded in 2006, it operates in Europe and Latin America, boasting 26 million active members. The platform also includes BlaBlaCar Bus, an intercity bus service. BlaBlaCar's name comes from its rating system for drivers' chattiness: \Bla\" for quiet, \"BlaBla\" for talkative, and \"BlaBlaBla\" for very chatty. The company aims to be the leading marketplace for shared travel, offering affordable and sustainable solutions by combining carpooling with bus journeys."
Luggage & cancellation policy
BlaBlaCar frequency
4 a day

FAQs: Bus from Cologne to Essen

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Essen by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Essen, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Cologne to Essen can start from as little as €4 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Cologne to Essen is €6; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
On average the Cologne to Essen coach travel time is 1 h 25 min   for the 58 km long route, but the duration can vary if you travel on weekends and holidays.
The first coach from Cologne to Essen leaves at 03: 15. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner   from Omio.
The last coach from Cologne to Essen leaves at 23: 15.
Yes, there are 14 direct coaches a day from Cologne to Essen with FlixBus or BlaBlaCar. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.
Take the Cologne to Essen coach with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar or BlaBlaCar Bus. However, it's always good to check out all possible coach companies for the route between Cologne and Essen as there might be differences in the amenities they offer.
A day trip to Essen from Cologne is worth doing with a journey time of 1 h 25 min each way. Check with Omio app   the best way to travel.
The cheapest month to travel from Cologne to Essen by coach is March.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel from Cologne to Essen including taking a train or coach.
No, the coach from Cologne to Essen has no accessibility options.
No, there are no bathrooms on board the coach from Cologne to Essen.
No, bikes are not allowed on board the coach from Cologne to Essen.

To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Cologne to Essen, follow these tips:

  • Book in advance: Tickets are often cheaper when booked early.
  • Be flexible with dates and times: Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money.
  • Use our search filters: Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options.
  • Look for special deals or discounts: Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
  • Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!

    Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the coach from Cologne to Essen.
    No, luggage for the coach from Cologne to Essen needs to be booked in addition.
    No, there are no additional luggage options for the coach from Cologne to Essen.
    Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Cologne to Essen.
    No, there are no USB plugs on board the coach from Cologne to Essen.
    No, there is no WiFi on board the coach from Cologne to Essen.

    popular bus stations

    Popular bus stations from Cologne to Essen

    Cologne
    Essen
    The major bus station for departures in Cologne is Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen). Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) for your trip from Cologne to Essen.
    Amenities at bus station
    WifiWifi
    ParkingParking
    ATMATM
    AccessibilityAccessibility
    WCWC
    information
    ticketOfficeHours
    Distance to city center
    13 km
    carConnection
    Car connection
    Kennedystraße
    Wifi
    Wifi
    • Free Wi-Fi
    Accessibility
    Accessibility
    • Elevators, ramps
    WC
    WC
    • Available in the station.
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)WifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
    Amenities at bus station
    WifiWifi
    ParkingParking
    ATMATM
    TaxisTaxis
    AccessibilityAccessibility
    WCWC
    Ticket OfficeTicket Office
    information
    ticketOfficeHours
    Ticket Office Hours
    • 00:00-23:59
    ticketOfficeHours
    Distance to city center
    13 km
    carConnection
    Car connection
    Kennedystrasse
    Wifi
    Wifi
    • Free Wi-Fi
    Taxis
    Taxis
    • Available outside Terminal 2 arrivals area.
    Accessibility
    Accessibility
    • Elevators, ramps
    WC
    WC
    • Available in the station.
    Public transit options for Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    • Bus: SB60 Train: S13, S19

    More options for your journey from Cologne to Essen

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