- Must visit
Magritte Museum
Compact museum dedicated to René Magritte, presenting paintings, archives and context for Belgium’s celebrated Surrealist artist.
Cheapest price on 08 Sept
£14
Average ticket price on 08 Sept
£17
Fastest journey on 08 Sept
5 h 20 m
Average journey duration on 08 Sept
5 h 33 m
Buses on 08 Sept
3
Distance
198 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Essen to Brussels is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Brussels will cost around £17 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £14.
On Tue 08 Sept, we found 3 buses from Essen to Brussels, including 3 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 198 km distance in an average of 5 h 33 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 20 m .
The slowest buses will take 5 h 55 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.
50449
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
50449
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Essen to Brussels among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £19 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 43m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £19, while a flight costs an average of £193.
Distance: 198 km
Most popular Coach | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£19 Average Price Cheapest | £60 Average Price | £193 Average Price | £35 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 35m Average total duration 4h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 43m Average total duration Fastest 3h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 40m Average total duration 4h 40m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 2h 53m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
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 Essen to Brussels:
A coach is £41 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Brussels costing on average £60.
A coach is £174 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Essen to Brussels costing on average £193.
Other travel options to Brussels take longer:
Coach takes on average 4h 5m.
Flight takes on average 4h 40m.
Tickets start at around £19 compared to roughly £35 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £15. The journey takes 4h 5m versus 2h 53m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, BlaBlaCar.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
The table below shows live departures for Essen to Brussels coaches for today, Monday 7 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
50449 | 21:00 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 5h25 | 2:25 Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 21:40 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 5h55 | 3:35 Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi) | 0 changesdirect | |
| Tuesday 8 September | |||||
FlixBus | 4:40 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 5h20 | 10:00 Brussels, Gare Du Midi | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach, train 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.
Buses from Essen to Brussels run on average 5 times per day, taking around 4h 5m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £13 if you book in advance.
There are 5 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 01:15, the last at 22:30. The fastest coach covers the 198 km distance in 5h 20m.
Distance 198 km |
Average bus duration 4h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price £13 |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 5h 20m |
First bus 1:15 |
Last bus 22:30 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Brussels — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Brussels trip today.
Compact museum dedicated to René Magritte, presenting paintings, archives and context for Belgium’s celebrated Surrealist artist.
Major fine arts museum with Flemish, Belgian and European works, ideal for tracing artistic developments across centuries.
Art Nouveau house designed by Victor Horta, offering an intimate look at architecture, interiors and decorative detail.
Historic square packed with ornate façades, seasonal events and evening illumination; a natural starting point for exploring the centre.
A characterful shopping arcade with glass roof, elegant details and a classic route for a refined walk in the centre.
Landscaped hill with gardens, fountains and one of Brussels’ most rewarding skyline views near the upper town museums.
Moules-frites pairs North Sea mussels with crisp chips. It is a Brussels brasserie classic, especially popular in cooler months.
Stoemp is mashed potatoes mixed with seasonal vegetables, often served with sausage or bacon. It is a comforting Brussels staple.
Carbonnade flamande is a slow-cooked beef and onion stew made with Belgian beer. It is a beloved hearty dish in Brussels cafés.
Refined Belgian dining in the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, known for well-presented regional dishes and a polished atmosphere.
Traditional restaurant famed for mussels, oysters and other Belgian seafood dishes in a lively, classic brasserie setting.
Long-running brasserie serving stoemp, carbonnade and other Belgian staples in an elegant Art Nouveau-inspired dining room.
Moderate for Western Europe: hotels and restaurants are not cheap, but public transport is reasonable and budget eats are easy to find.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for excellent restaurant service. Taxis are often rounded up. Small change is appreciated in cafés, but not expected.
Official public transport app
Brussels South (Gare du Midi) -> Grand-Place, Brussels
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Brussels by coach. 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 coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Brussels, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Essen to Brussels buses use the Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) to Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi) station pair, with some services arriving at Schaerbeek, Bd Roi Albert II (Bruxelles Gare Du Nord). Use this guide to compare Essen and Brussels bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like 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 options include: Cafes and snack bars nearby.
Free WiFi is available in the waiting area. ATMs are aTM machines available inside the station.
Ticket office support is available at Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof).
Available at Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof): Wheelchair accessible routes and facilities available.
Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi) is 2 km from Brussels city centre. Public transport options include:
Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Midi (in the station), Belgian Bites (in the station), Fritland Express (0.5 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and throughout the station.
Ticket office support is available at Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi).
Available at Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Brussels, Brussels South (Gare du Midi): Elevators, ramps.
Brussels, Gare Du Midi is 1 km from Brussels city centre. Public transport options include:
Brussels, Gare Du Midi has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Various dining options are nearby.
Wi-Fi is available at Brussels, Gare Du Midi. ATMs are available at Brussels, Gare Du Midi.
Ticket office support is available at Brussels, Gare Du Midi.
Available at Brussels, Gare Du Midi: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Brussels, Gare Du Midi: Station is accessible for individuals with disabilities.
Brussels-Noord is 1 km from Brussels city centre. Public transport options include:
Brussels-Noord has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Noord (in the station), Quick Brussels Noord (in the station), Le Pain Quotidien (0.5 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at Brussels-Noord.
Available at Brussels-Noord: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Brussels-Noord: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need