The cheapest and fastest buses from Munich to Essen
Cheapest price
€26
Average price
€87
Fastest journey
6 h 30 m
Average duration
6 h 32 m
Buses per day
23
Distance
493 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Munich to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Munich to Essen will cost around €87 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €26.
Of the 23 buses that leave Munich for Essen on Sun, Dec 21, 12 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Dec 21 the direct buses cover the 493 km distance in an average of 6 h 32 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 30 m .
On Sun, Dec 21 the slowest buses will take 6 h 40 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.










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 €25. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 11m. 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 €25, and a flight costs an average of €60.
Distance: 493 km
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€43 Average price Cheapest | €125 Average price | €161 Average price |
13h 15m Average total duration 12h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 16m Average total duration 5h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 11m Average total duration Fastest 1h 11m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.5 - 3.0kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Munich to Essen bus times
The table below shows live departures for Munich to Essen buses for today, Saturday, December 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 1:00 AM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 9h50 | 10:50 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 6:00 AM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 10h40 | 4:40 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 7:00 AM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 10h10 | 5:10 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
30489 · 50448 | 7:45 AM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 23h55 | 7:40 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 9:45 AM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 11h25 | 9:10 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 11:45 AM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 11h10 | 10:55 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:40 PM München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz | 12h45 | 5:25 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 6:30 PM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 10h55 | 5:25 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
30493 · 50428 | 7:30 PM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 23h15 | 6:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus+ FlixTrain | 8:15 PM München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz | 11h47 | 8:02 AM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:15 PM München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz | 10h10 | 6:25 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 8:40 PM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 9h45 | 6:25 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus+ FlixTrain | 8:40 PM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 11h22 | 8:02 AM Essen Hbf | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:45 PM München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz | 13h05 | 11:50 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:25 PM München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz | 12h25 | 11:50 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Munich to Essen by train, bus, or flight
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.
Dec 21
Dec 22
Dec 23
Dec 24
Dec 25
Dec 26
Dec 27
Dec 28
Dec 29
Dec 30
Dec 31
Jan 01
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Journey information
Overview: Bus from Munich to Essen
Buses from Munich to Essen run on average 15 times per day, taking around 12h 45m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €25 but you can travel from only €18 by train.
There are 7 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:25, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 493 km distance in 9h 45m.
Distance 493 km |
Average bus duration 12h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price €25 |
Buses per day 15 |
Direct buses 7 |
Fastest bus 9h 45m |
First bus 00:25 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Bus providers: FlixBus, Globtour Medjugorjie, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus, Trans Turist from Munich to EssenYou can travel by bus between Munich to Essen with FlixBus, Globtour Medjugorjie, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus, Trans Turist for as low as €18. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
BlaBlaCar Bus
Globtour Medjugorjie
BlaBlaCar
Trans Turist
FAQs: Bus from Munich to Essen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Munich 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.

popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Munich to Essen
- 06:00-23:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cafeteria München ZOB (in the station)
- Bavarian Bistro (in the station)
- Fast Food Express (in the station).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 58, 100 Metro: U1, U2 Train: S1, S2, S3, S4, S6, S7, S8
Most popular bus connections from Munich
More options for your journey from Munich to Essen
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