ESSEN to COLOGNE bus from £4 with FlixBus

2,000+ travel companies

Scan to get our free app

Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.

App Store

4.9

42K ratings

Google Play

4.6

136K reviews

50429
9:551h45
Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)
11:40Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
£41One-way
0 changes
50449
21:001h45
Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)
22:45Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
£41One-way
0 changes
50457
7:301h45
Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)
9:15Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
£41One-way
0 changes
FlixBus
17:501h55
Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)
19:45Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)
£61One-way
0 changes
FlixBus
22:101h40
Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)
23:50Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)
£71One-way
0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Essen to Cologne

The cheapest option from Essen to Cologne is coach, with an average price of £4. Omio recommends booking the train, as it is the most popular option from Essen to Cologne among Omio users. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg.

Distance: 58 km

Compare bus with

Coach	Most popular Train
£4 Average Price Cheapest option	£9 Average Price
1h 58m Average total duration 1h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	1h 27m Average total duration Fastest option 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time*
0.1 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions	0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest
Most popular bus company	Most popular train company
Direct Options	Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Essen to Cologne bus times

The table below shows live departures for Essen to Cologne coaches for today, Thursday 9 July. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Changes
50429	9:55 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)	1h45	11:40 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)	0 changesdirect
FlixBus	13:15 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)	2h25	15:40 Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)	0 changesdirect
FlixBus	13:25 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)	2h00	15:25 Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)	0 changesdirect
FlixBus	16:00 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)	1h45	17:45 Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)	0 changesdirect
FlixBus	17:50 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)	1h55	19:45 Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)	0 changesdirect
FlixBus	20:30 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)	1h40	22:10 Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)	0 changesdirect
50449	21:00 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)	1h45	22:45 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)	0 changesdirect
FlixBus	22:10 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)	1h40	23:50 Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)	0 changesdirect
Friday 10 July
FlixBus	5:45 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)	1h55	7:40 Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)	0 changesdirect
FlixBus	6:10 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)	1h55	8:05 Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)	0 changesdirect
FlixBus	6:15 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)	1h50	8:05 Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)	0 changesdirect
FlixBus	6:20 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)	2h05	8:25 Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)	0 changesdirect
50457	7:30 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)	1h45	9:15 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)	0 changesdirect
FlixBus	8:45 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)	1h50	10:35 Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)	0 changesdirect
This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Essen to Cologne by train or coach

Compare train and coach 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.

Fri
10 Jul

Sat
11 Jul

Sun
12 Jul

Mon
13 Jul

Tue
14 Jul

Wed
15 Jul

Thu
16 Jul

Fri
17 Jul

Sat
18 Jul

Sun
19 Jul

Mon
20 Jul

Tue
21 Jul

Wed
22 Jul

Thu
23 Jul

Why should you book Essen to Cologne coaches with Omio?

FlixBus as well as BlaBlaCar Bus offer coaches services from Essen to Cologne.

Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Essen to Cologne.

Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?

Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for FlixBus, but also compare tickets for the likes of BlaBlaCar Bus to find the best option for your trip from Essen to Cologne.
Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare FlixBus with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Essen to Cologne.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu, Trainline or Checkmybus?

Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of BlaBlaCar Bus to find the best option for your trip from Essen to Cologne.
Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Essen to Cologne.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Essen to Cologne

Germany

Typically, there are 12 buses per day from Essen to Cologne, including 12 direct buses, taking around 1h 28m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £4 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 03:45, the last at 23:35. The fastest coach covers the 58 km distance in 1h 40m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.

Price information

Distance

58 km

Average bus duration

1h 28m

Lowest ticket price

£4

Buses per day

Direct buses

Fastest bus

1h 40m

First bus

3:45

Last bus

23:35

Cheapest Month

Sept

Cheapest Day

Wed

High Season

Jul - Sept

Low Season

Jan - Mar

Busiest Day

Sat

Least Busy Day

Wed

Best time to book

6 days

Price information

Bus providers: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus from Essen to CologneYou can travel by bus between Essen to Cologne with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus for as low as £4. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

FlixBus

About

FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.

Luggage & cancellation policy

Average Duration

1h 40m

Cheapest Price

£5

FlixBus frequency

8 a day

Luggage included

One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).

Additional luggage

Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.

Amenities on board the bus

Wifi

Food sold onboard

Seat reservation

Toilets

USB plugs

Accessibility

Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.

Bikes

Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.

Pets

Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.

Learn more about FlixBus

BlaBlaCar Bus

About

BlaBlaCar Bus (formerly known as Ouibus or iDBUS) is a long-distance coach company operating in 10 European countries and connecting over 300 destinations. A subsidiary of the French carpooling company BlaBlaCar, it offers comfortable travel with standard amenities such as air conditioning, toilets, USB and power outlets for charging devices, extra legroom, and adjustable seats. Free Wi-Fi is available on select routes. BlaBlaCar Bus offers only a Standard ticket type, which allows passengers to bring one carry-on bag and up to two checked bags per person.

Luggage & cancellation policy

Average Duration

1h 45m

Cheapest Price

£4

BlaBlaCar Bus frequency

2 a day

Luggage included

One carry-on bag up to 7kg and one checked bag up to 20kg.

Additional luggage

Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel your ticket up to 30 minutes before departure for a refund in the form of a voucher.

Amenities on board the bus

Wifi

Food sold onboard

Seat reservation

Toilets

USB plugs

Accessibility

Assistance; Priority boarding; Accessible seating options.

Bikes

Bikes are allowed; additional fees may apply.

Learn more about BlaBlaCar Bus

BlaBlaCar

About

BlaBlaCar is a French online marketplace for carpooling, connecting drivers with empty seats and passengers traveling to the same destination to share costs. Founded in 2006, it operates in Europe and Latin America, boasting 26 million active members. The platform also includes BlaBlaCar Bus, an intercity bus service. BlaBlaCar's name comes from its rating system for drivers' chattiness: \Bla\" for quiet, \"BlaBla\" for talkative, and \"BlaBlaBla\" for very chatty. The company aims to be the leading marketplace for shared travel, offering affordable and sustainable solutions by combining carpooling with bus journeys."

Luggage & cancellation policy

BlaBlaCar frequency

5 a day

FAQs: Essen to Cologne coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Cologne 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 Cologne, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

The earliest coach from Essen to Cologne leaves at 3:45. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.

The latest coach from Essen to Cologne leaves at 23:35.

Yes, there are 12 direct coaches a day from Essen to Cologne with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.

When taking a coach from Essen to Cologne, you can count on FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus for the best way to get you to Cologne. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Essen and Cologne and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.

The cheapest month for a coach from Essen to Cologne is September.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Essen and Cologne including taking a train and coach.

Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Essen to Cologne:

BlaBlaCar Bus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Accessible seating options.
FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.

Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Essen to Cologne for coach company FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Essen to Cologne depends on the coach companies:

BlaBlaCar Bus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 30 minutes before departure for a refund in the form of a voucher.
FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.

Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.

No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Essen to Cologne.

Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Essen to Cologne:

BlaBlaCar Bus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg and one checked bag up to 20kg.
FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).

Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Essen to Cologne:

BlaBlaCar Bus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.

Yes, you can bring your pet on the coach from Essen to Cologne. The following conditions apply:

FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.

You can reserve your seat on the coach from Essen to Cologne with the following coach company: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Essen to Cologne with the following coach company: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Essen to Cologne with the following coach company: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Essen and Cologne

Most Essen to Cologne buses use the Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) to Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) station pair, with some services arriving at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2). Use this guide to compare Essen and Cologne bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Essen

Arrival bus stations in Cologne

Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)

City-centre transport

Getting to Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) from Essen city centre

BusNe12, Ne11, Ne2, Ne1, 196, 166, 155, 154, 146, 145 · 7m · every ~50 min

Tram109, 108, 107, 105, 103, 101 · 2m · every ~46 min

Which Cologne station do buses from Essen arrive at?

Buses from Essen to Cologne most often arrive at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen). Some services arrive at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2), so check your ticket before travel to confirm your Cologne arrival station.

Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen)Kennedystrasse, Koln, Germany Wifi

City-centre transport

Getting to Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) from Cologne city centre

Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) is 13 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainRe · 8m · £4 · every ~2 min

Rb26 · 12m · £4

Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) bus station facilities and services

Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Accessibility and WC.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen): Parking, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen): Elevators, ramps.

More about Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen)

Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)Kennedystrasse, 51147 Koln, Germany Wifi

City-centre transport

Getting to Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) from Cologne city centre

Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) is 13 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainRe · 16m · £4 · every ~2 min

Rb26 · 20m · £4

Re · 21m · every ~2 min

BusS19, S12 · 27m · £4

Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) bus station facilities and services

Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.