- Must visit
Museum Folkwang
Major art museum with strong 19th- and 20th-century collections, posters and photography. A leading cultural stop in central Essen.
Cheapest price on 09 Sept
£14
Average ticket price on 09 Sept
£16
Fastest journey on 09 Sept
3 h 55 m
Average journey duration on 09 Sept
4 h 13 m
Buses on 09 Sept
10
Distance
190 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Frankfurt am Main to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Frankfurt am Main to Essen will cost around £16 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £14.
On Wed 09 Sept, we found 10 buses from Frankfurt am Main to Essen, including 9 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 190 km distance in an average of 4 h 13 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 55 m .
The slowest buses will take 4 h 30 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.
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FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Frankfurt am Main to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £17 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 2h 45m. 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 £17, while a flight costs an average of £102.
Distance: 190 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£17 Average Price Cheapest | £36 Average Price | £102 Average Price | £32 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 12m Average total duration 3h 42m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 39m Average total duration 3h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 45m Average total duration Fastest 45m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 2h 59m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.6 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
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 Frankfurt am Main to Essen:
A coach is £19 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Frankfurt am Main to Essen costing on average £36.
A coach is £85 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Frankfurt am Main to Essen costing on average £102.
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 9m.
Coach takes on average 3h 42m.
Tickets start at around £17 compared to roughly £32 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £15. The journey takes 3h 42m versus 2h 59m 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.
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 Frankfurt am Main to Essen coaches for today, Tuesday 8 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 13:20 Frankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof) | 4h30 | 17:50 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 14:45 Frankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof) | 5h05 | 19:50 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 15:05 Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36) | 4h45 | 19:50 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 16:55 Frankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof) | 4h55 | 21:50 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 19:10 Frankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof) | 4h30 | 23:40 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 19:10 Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36) | 4h45 | 23:55 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 19:30 Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36) | 4h10 | 23:40 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 22:20 Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36) | 4h35 | 2:55 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 22:55 Frankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof) | 4h00 | 2:55 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 changesdirect | |
| Wednesday 9 September | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:40 Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36) | 4h45 | 6:25 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 change | |
FlixBus | 2:30 Frankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof) | 3h55 | 6:25 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach 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 Frankfurt am Main to Essen run on average 18 times per day, taking around 3h 42m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £13 but you can travel from only £7 by train.
There are 13 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:25, the last at 23:15. The fastest coach covers the 190 km distance in 4h 0m.
Distance 190 km |
Average bus duration 3h 42m |
Cheapest ticket price £13 |
Buses per day 18 |
Direct buses 13 |
Fastest bus 4h 0m |
First bus 0:25 |
Last bus 23:15 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 2 days |
Discover the best of Essen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Essen trip today.
Major art museum with strong 19th- and 20th-century collections, posters and photography. A leading cultural stop in central Essen.
Industrial history museum in the former boiler house at Zollverein. Engaging displays explain coal, steel and daily life across the Ruhr.
Design museum inside the Zollverein complex, showing contemporary design, everyday objects and changing exhibitions in a dramatic industrial setting.
Large lake south of the centre, popular for walks, boat trips and cycling. It combines water views, leisure activities and green surroundings.
Former industrial complex turned cultural district with open spaces, architecture, art and walking routes. It is one of Essen’s essential urban experiences.
Extensive park with lawns, sculptures and event spaces near Museum Folkwang. It is ideal for a central stroll and relaxed city views.
A hearty potato stew from the Ruhr area, traditionally cooked with beef, onions and vegetables. It is a classic working-class comfort dish in Essen.
Mashed potatoes mixed with apples and onions, often served with black pudding or sausage. It is a well-known Rhineland and Ruhr comfort meal.
Pickled herring fillets in a sour marinade, often served with potatoes. This classic northern and western German fish dish is common in the Ruhr.
Elegant fine dining in Essen known for creative modern cooking and polished service in a calm, contemporary setting.
Long-established local favourite for classic German and Ruhr-style fare, with a cosy pub feel and straightforward cooking.
Traditional brewery restaurant serving hearty regional German dishes and fresh beer in a lively, rustic atmosphere.
Moderate for Germany. Hotels and dining are often slightly cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt, while local transport and everyday costs stay fairly manageable for visitors.
Service is usually not included. In restaurants, round up or tip about 5-10%. For taxis, round up the fare. In cafés, small change or rounding up is customary.
Official public transport app
Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) -> Essen Hauptbahnhof
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Frankfurt am Main to Essen 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 Essen, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Frankfurt am Main to Essen buses use the Frankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof) to Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) station pair. Use this guide to compare Frankfurt am Main and Essen bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36) is 10 km from Frankfurt am Main city centre. Public transport options include:
Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: McDonald's (in the station), Hausmann's (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located throughout the terminal, offering various banking services.
Ticket office support is available at Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36).
Available at Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36): Elevators, ramps, assistance.
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.
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