Bus from Cologne to Essen: Tickets & Schedules

Next bus departures

Next departures for Cologne to Essen on March 1
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
BlaBlaCar BusBus
Cologne/Bonn Airport
EssenCheapestFastest
BlaBlaCar BusBus
Cologne/Bonn Airport
EssenNo tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 11:52 AM CET.

Compare 3 ways to go from Cologne to Essen

We recommend carpooling

Among the sustainable travel choices, the Carpool stands out as a good way to reach Essen. The journey takes about 50 minutes, and with fares starting at just $7, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

5carpool per day
50mAverage Duration
59 kmDistance
2kgCO₂ emissions
Average Price$9 - $39Average Duration2h
2kg CO₂e
Average Price$14 - $58Average Duration48m
1kg CO₂e
Carpool
Average Price$7 - $13Average Duration50m
2kg CO₂e

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Cologne to Essen by bus

Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.

  1. How much is the bus ticket from Cologne to Essen?

    The cheapest bus tickets from Cologne to Essen start from $9. The average price for this route is around $13. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.

  2. How long is the bus ride from Cologne to Essen?

    The average bus travel time from Cologne to Essen is 2h, covering a distance of 64 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 1h 35m and is operated by FlixBus.

  3. Which bus companies service the Cologne to Essen route?

    Several major bus companies operate on this route with 3 buses available per day, including services from FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

  4. What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from Cologne to Essen?

    The earliest bus departs from Cologne to Essen at 4:45am. And the latest bus departs at 11:35pm.

  5. What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Cologne to Essen?

    A bus trip from Cologne to Essen generates an estimated 2 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.

  6. What is the best bus company from Cologne to Essen?

    According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is BlaBlaCar Bus, with an average rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars based on 11451 reviews.

  7. Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Cologne to Essen?

    Based on Busbud reviews, the bus company FlixBus has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 2.7.

  8. Which bus company has the best on-time performance from Cologne to Essen?

    According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual bus company on this route is FlixBus, with a punctuality rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.

  9. Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Cologne to Essen?

    According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is BlaBlaCar Bus, with a cleanliness rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found
02-26
$8
02-27
$10
Today
$11
03-01
$7
03-02
$7
03-03
$7
03-04
$7
03-05
$7
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Cologne to Essen was searched and found on Mar 3, 2026 with a price of $7

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Cologne to Essen, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $7 to $11 for a bus ticket from Cologne to Essen based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $7 which is on 2026-03-03.

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