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
| Cologne Airport CGN (Terminal 2) | Essen Hauptbahnhof Freiheit | Fastest | ||||
| Bus | Cologne/Bonn Airport | Essen | No tags | ||||
| Bus
| Cologne Airport CGN (Terminal 2) | Essen Hauptbahnhof Freiheit | No tags | ||||
| Bus
| Cologne Airport CGN (Terminal 2) | Essen Hauptbahnhof Freiheit | No tags | ||||
| Bus
| Cologne Airport CGN (Terminal 2) | Essen Hauptbahnhof Freiheit | No tags | ||||
| Bus
| Cologne Airport CGN (Terminal 2) | Essen Hauptbahnhof Freiheit | No tags | ||||
| Bus
| Cologne Airport CGN (Terminal 2) | Essen Hauptbahnhof Freiheit | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Today at 8:53 AM CEST.
Compare 2 ways to go from Cologne to Essen
Among the sustainable travel choices, the Bus stands out as a good way to reach Essen. The journey takes about 1 hour 55 minutes and with fares starting at just $7, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Bus stations and stops in Cologne and Essen
Stops in Cologne
- B
Hbf
Bahnsteig Gleis 2 + 3, 50667 Köln, Germany - C
Gummersbacher Str.
Gummersbacher 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
- A
Essen Hauptbahnhof Freiheit
Freiheit 5A, 45127 Essen, Germany - B
HBF
Am Hauptbahnhof 27, 45127 Essen, Germany - C
Essen Hbf
Freiheit 4, 45127 Essen, Germany - D
Essen Bushaltestelle
Essen, Germany - E
Hachestraße
Hachestraße 63, 45127 Essen, Germany
Compare bus companies
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.
How much is the bus ticket from Cologne to Essen?
The cheapest bus tickets from Cologne to Essen start from $7. The average price for this route is around $11. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
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 35m and is operated by FlixBus.
Which bus companies service the Cologne to Essen route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 5 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 4:45am. And the latest bus departs at 11:35pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Cologne to Essen?
A bus trip from Cologne to Essen generates an estimated 1.59655 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and recommended mode of travel by Busbud.
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 12926 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 has the most timely service from Cologne to Essen?
According to Busbud traveler reviews, the most timely bus company on this route is FlixBus, with a punctuality rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Cologne to Essen?
According to Busbud traveler 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 Oct 14, 2026 with a price of $6To 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 $6 to $32 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 $6 which is on 2026-10-18.
