Next bus departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bus | Cologne/Bonn Airport | Essen | Cheapest | ||||
 | Bus | Heinrich-von-Stephan-Straße | Essen Hauptbahnhof Freiheit | Fastest | ||||
| Bus | Flughafen Köln/Bonn Airport (CGN) | Essen Hauptbahnhof Freiheit | No tags | ||||
| Bus | Flughafen Köln/Bonn Airport (CGN) | Essen Hauptbahnhof Freiheit | No tags | ||||
| Bus | Flughafen Köln/Bonn Airport (CGN) | Essen Hauptbahnhof Freiheit | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Today at 4:34 PM CET.
Compare 3 ways to travel from Cologne to Essen
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 R 81, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Where are the popular stops in Cologne and Essen?
Stops in Cologne
- BBahnsteig Gleis 2 + 3, 50667 Köln, Germany
- CGummersbacher Str. 31, 50679 Köln, Germany
- D
Riehl Zoo
Riehler Str. 168, 50735 Köln, Germany - E
Leverkusen Mitte
Heinrich-von-Stephan-Straße, 51373 Leverkusen - F
Rhein Energie Stadion
Cologne,, Germany
Stops in Essen
- AFreiheit 5A, 45127 Essen, Germany
- BAm Hauptbahnhof 27, 45127 Essen, Germany
- CFreiheit 4, 45127 Essen, Germany
- D
Essen Bushaltestelle
Essen, Germany - E
Hachestraße
Hachestraße 63, 45127 Essen, Germany
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Frequently asked questions about travelling from Cologne to Essen by bus
Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or differ at the time of your trip.
How much is the bus ticket from Cologne to Essen?
The cheapest bus tickets from Cologne to Essen start at R 101. The average price for this route is around R 102. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus journey from Cologne to Essen?
The average bus journey time from Cologne to Essen is 1h 55m, covering a distance of 64 km. The fastest bus gets you there in 1h 25m and is operated by FlixBus.
Which bus companies service the Cologne to Essen route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 2 buses available per day, including services from FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Cologne to Essen?
The earliest bus departs from Cologne to Essen at 04:45. And the latest bus departs at 23:30.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Cologne to Essen?
A bus trip from Cologne to Essen produces an estimated 2 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and Busbud’s recommended way to travel.
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 11357 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Cologne to Essen?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company FlixBus has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 2.7.
Which bus company offers the most punctual service 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.
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.
The cheapest trip from Cologne to Essen was searched and found on 14 Jan 2026 with a price of R 81To 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 R 81 to R 141 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 R 81, which is on 2026-01-14.
