The cheapest and fastest buses from Munich to Essen
Cheapest price on Sep 17
€30
Average ticket price on Sep 17
€53
Fastest journey on Sep 17
9 h 45 m
Average journey duration on Sep 17
10 h 26 m
Buses on Sep 17
12
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 €53 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €30.
On Thu, Sep 17, we found 12 buses from Munich to Essen, including 5 direct services.
On Thu, Sep 17 the direct buses cover the 493 km distance in an average of 10 h 26 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 9 h 45 m .
On Thu, Sep 17 the slowest buses will take 11 h 50 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 · FlixBus11:25 PM13h20München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz12:45 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)€301One-way1 transfer
FlixBus · FlixBus12:30 AM12h15München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz12:45 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)€351One-way1 transfer
FlixBus2:00 AM9h50Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)11:50 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)€401One-way0 transfers
FlixBus9:40 PM9h45Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)7:25 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)€401One-way0 transfers
FlixBus · FlixBus2:45 PM12h10Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)2:55 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)€431One-way1 transfer
FlixBus9:40 PM9h45Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)7:25 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)€401One-way0 transfers
FlixBus2:00 AM9h50Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)11:50 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)€401One-way0 transfers
FlixBus8:00 AM9h50Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)5:50 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)€551One-way0 transfers
FlixBus7:30 PM10h55Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)6:25 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)€431One-way0 transfers
FlixBus · FlixBus10:05 PM11h50München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz9:55 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)€551One-way1 transfer
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 €39 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 9m. 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 €39, while a flight costs an average of €126.
Distance: 493 km
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€39 Average price Cheapest | €72 Average price | €126 Average price | €54 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
13h 41m Average total duration 13h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 10m Average total duration 5h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 9m Average total duration Fastest 1h 9m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 7h 2m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.5 - 3.0kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | 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 €32 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Munich to Essen costing on average €72.
A bus is €86 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Munich to Essen costing on average €126.
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 40m.
Bus takes on average 13h 11m.
Live departures
Munich to Essen bus times
The table below shows live departures for Munich to Essen buses for today, Wednesday, September 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:25 PM München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz | 13h20 | 12:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
| Thursday, September 17 | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:30 AM München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz | 12h15 | 12:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 2:00 AM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 9h50 | 11:50 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 8:00 AM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 9h50 | 5:50 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
30489 · 50448 | 8:45 AM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 23h55 | 8:40 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 10:00 AM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 11h50 | 9:50 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 2:45 PM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 12h10 | 2:55 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 5:40 PM München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz | 12h45 | 6:25 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 7:30 PM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 10h55 | 6:25 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
30493 · 50428 | 8:30 PM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 23h15 | 7:45 PM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 9:40 PM Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB) | 9h45 | 7:25 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:05 PM München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz | 11h50 | 9:55 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
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.
Sep 17
Sep 18
Sep 19
Sep 20
Sep 21
Sep 22
Sep 23
Why should you book Munich to Essen buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for FlixBus, but also compare tickets for the likes of BlaBlaCar Bus or Trans Turist to find the best option for your trip from Munich to Essen.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare FlixBus with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Munich to Essen.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu, Trainline or Checkmybus?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of BlaBlaCar Bus or Trans Turist to find the best option for your trip from Munich to Essen.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Munich to Essen.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Munich to Essen
Buses from Munich to Essen run on average 16 times per day, taking around 13h 11m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €27 but you can travel from only €19 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 13h 11m |
Cheapest ticket price €27 |
Buses per day 16 |
Direct buses 7 |
Fastest bus 9h 45m |
First bus 12:25 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 14 days |
Bus providers: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus, Trans Turist from Munich to EssenYou can travel by bus between Munich to Essen with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus, Trans Turist for as low as €19. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
BlaBlaCar Bus
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.

- BlaBlaCar Bus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Accessible seating options.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- BlaBlaCar Bus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 30 minutes before departure for a refund in the form of a voucher.
- FlixBus
- 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.
- BlaBlaCar Bus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg and one checked bag up to 20kg.
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- BlaBlaCar Bus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Munich to Essen
Most Munich to Essen buses use the München, ZOB to Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) station pair. Use this guide to compare Munich and Essen bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Which Munich station do buses to Essen leave from?
Getting to München, ZOB from Munich city centre
München, ZOB is 1 km from Munich city centre. Public transport options include:
München, ZOB bus station facilities and services
München, ZOB has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Cafeteria München ZOB (in the station), Bavarian Bistro (in the station), Fast Food Express (in the station).
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the waiting area.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at München, ZOB.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at München, ZOB: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at München, ZOB: Elevators, ramps.
Getting to München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz from Munich city centre
München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz is 8 km from Munich city centre. Public transport options include:
München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz bus station facilities and services
München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz. ATMs are available at München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz: Wheelchair accessible parking available.
Getting to München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe) from Munich city centre
München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe) is 9 km from Munich city centre. Public transport options include:
München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe) bus station facilities and services
München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe). ATMs are available at München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe).
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe).
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe): Wheelchair accessible.
Which Essen station do buses from Munich arrive at?
Getting to Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) from Essen city centre
Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) bus station facilities and services
Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Cafes and snack bars nearby.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free WiFi is available in the waiting area. ATMs are aTM machines available inside the station.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof).
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof): Wheelchair accessible routes and facilities available.
Most popular bus connections from Munich
More options for your journey from Munich to Essen
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need



