Bus from Cologne to Essen: Tickets & Schedules

Next bus departures

Next departures for Cologne to Essen on December 3
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
BlaBlaCar BusBus
    Cologne/Bonn Airport
    EssenCheapestFastest

    Last refresh of the prices: Today at 8:00 AM CET.

    Compare 3 ways to go from Cologne to Essen

    We recommend carpooling

    Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as the good way to reach Essen. The journey takes about 50 minutes and with fares starting at just $5, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

    4carpool per day
    50mAverage Duration
    37 milesDistance
    2kgCO₂ emissions
    Average Price$6 - $20Average Duration1h 55m
    2kg CO₂e
    Average Price$10 - $78Average Duration51m
    1kg CO₂e
    Carpool
    Average Price$5 - $11Average Duration50m
    2kg CO₂e

    Frequently asked questions about traveling 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 $6. The average price for this route is around $10. 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 trip duration from Cologne to Essen is 1h 55m, covering a distance of 40 miles (64 km). The quickest bus can get you there in 1h 25m and is operated by FlixBus.

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

      Several major bus companies operate on this route with 4 buses available per day, including services from FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

    4. What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Cologne to Essen?

      The earliest bus departs from Cologne to Essen at 4:45am. And the latest bus departs at 11:15pm.

    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 recommended mode of travel 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 11143 reviews.

    7. 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.

    8. Which bus company has the most timely service from Cologne to Essen?

      According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most timely 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
    12/01
    $6
    12/02
    $6
    Today
    $6
    12/04
    $5
    12/05
    $5
    12/06
    $5
    12/07
    $5
    12/08
    $5
    busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Cologne to Essen was searched and found on Dec 7, 2025 with a price of $5

    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 $5 to $6 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 $5 which is on 2025-12-07.

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