Munich to Essen bus with FlixBus

Thu 17 Sept
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Trans Turist
National Express
2,000+ travel companies
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BlaBlaCar
BlaBlaCar Bus
Trans Turist
National Express
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Munich to Essen

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 17 Sept

Cheapest price on 17 Sept

£27

Average ticket price on 17 Sept

£48

Fastest journey on 17 Sept

9 h 45 m

Average journey duration on 17 Sept

10 h 26 m

Buses on 17 Sept

12

Distance

493 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Munich to Essen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Munich to Essen will cost around £48 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £27.

Fast coaches

On Thu 17 Sept, we found 12 buses from Munich to Essen, including 5 direct services.

These direct buses cover the 493 km distance in an average of 10 h 26 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 9 h 45 m .

The slowest buses will take 11 h 50 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.

  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    23:2513h20
    München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz
    12:45Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)
    £271One-way
    1 change
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    0:3012h15
    München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz
    12:45Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)
    £321One-way
    1 change
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    2:009h50
    Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)
    11:50Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)
    £361One-way
    0 changes
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    21:409h45
    Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)
    7:25Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)
    £361One-way
    0 changes
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    14:4512h10
    Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)
    2:55Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)
    £391One-way
    1 change

Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for Munich to Essen

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Munich to Essen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £36 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 9m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £36, while a flight costs an average of £113.

Distance: 493 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train
Flight
Driving

£36

Average Price

Cheapest

£64

Average Price

£113

Average Price

£48

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

13h 41m

Average total duration

13h 11m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

6h 10m

Average total duration

5h 40m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 9m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 9m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

7h 2m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.5 - 1.2kg

CO2 emissions

0.1 - 0.4kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

1.5 - 3.0kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Deutsche Bahn

Most popular train company

Eurowings

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.

The cheapest way to travel from Munich to Essen is a coach with an average price of £36.

This is compared to other travel options from Munich to Essen:

A coach is £29 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Munich to Essen costing on average £64.

A coach is £77 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Munich to Essen costing on average £113.

The fastest way to travel from Munich to Essen is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 9m.

Other travel options to Essen take longer:

Train takes on average 5h 40m.

Coach takes on average 13h 11m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Munich and Essen including taking a train, coach and flight.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.

Tickets start at around £36 compared to roughly £48 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £13. The journey takes 13h 11m versus 7h 2m 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, Trans Turist.

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.

Live departures

Munich to Essen bus times

The table below shows live departures for Munich to Essen coaches for today, Wednesday 16 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus23:25 München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz
13h20
12:45 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)1 change
Thursday 17 September
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus0:30 München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz
12h15
12:45 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)1 change
FlixBusFlixBus2:00 Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)
9h50
11:50 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)0 changesdirect
FlixBusFlixBus8:00 Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)
9h50
17:50 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)0 changesdirect
BlaBlaCar Bus30489 · 504488:45 Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)
23h55
8:40 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)1 change
FlixBusFlixBus10:00 Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)
11h50
21:50 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)0 changesdirect
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus14:45 Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)
12h10
2:55 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)1 change
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus17:40 München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz
12h45
6:25 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)1 change
FlixBusFlixBus19:30 Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)
10h55
6:25 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)0 changesdirect
BlaBlaCar Bus30493 · 5042820:30 Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)
23h15
19:45 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)1 change
FlixBusFlixBus21:40 Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB)
9h45
7:25 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)0 changesdirect
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus22:05 München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz
11h50
9:55 Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)1 change

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Munich to Essen by train, coach or flight

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.

Thu
17 Sept
Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept

Why should you book Munich to Essen coaches with Omio?

FlixBus as well as BlaBlaCar Bus or Trans Turist offer coaches services from Munich to Essen.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Munich to Essen.

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 or Trans Turist to find the best option for your trip from Munich to Essen.
  • 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, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Munich to Essen.

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 or Trans Turist to find the best option for your trip from Munich to Essen.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Munich to Essen.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Munich to Essen

GermanyGermany
GermanyGermany
Icon of bus

Buses from Munich to Essen run on average 16 times per day, taking around 13h 11m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £24 but you can travel from only £17 by train.

There are 7 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:25, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 493 km distance in 9h 45m.

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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £17
Distance
493 km
Average bus duration
13h 11m
Cheapest ticket price
£24
Buses per day
16
Direct buses
7
Fastest bus
9h 45m
First bus
0:25
Last bus
23:55
Cheapest Month
Sept
Cheapest Day
Mon
High Season
Oct - Dec
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Tue
Least Busy Day
Sun
Best time to book
14 days
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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £17

Bus providers: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus, Trans Turist from Munich to EssenYou can travel by bus between Munich to Essen with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus, Trans Turist for as low as £17. 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 FlixBus Duration
9h 45m
Cheapest FlixBus Price
£24
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.

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 BlaBlaCar Bus Duration
23h 15m
Cheapest BlaBlaCar Bus Price
£60
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.

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
3 a day

Trans Turist

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Trans Turist Duration
12h 35m
Cheapest Trans Turist Price
£36
Trans Turist frequency
1 a day

Complete guide to Essen

Things to do in Essen

Discover the best of Essen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Essen trip today.

  • Must visit

Museum Folkwang

Major art museum with strong 19th- and 20th-century collections, posters and photography. A leading cultural stop in central Essen.

  • Must visit

Ruhr Museum

Industrial history museum in the former boiler house at Zollverein. Engaging displays explain coal, steel and daily life across the Ruhr.

  • Recommended

Red Dot Design Museum

Design museum inside the Zollverein complex, showing contemporary design, everyday objects and changing exhibitions in a dramatic industrial setting.

Euro (€)

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.

Average meal costs

Budget
€8-12 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range
€18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
€60+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
€2.80-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

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.

FAQs: Munich to Essen coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Munich 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.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Munich to Essen can start from as little as £24 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Munich to Essen is £36; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Munich to Essen is 9h 45m to travel the 493 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Munich to Essen leaves at 0:25. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Munich to Essen leaves at 23:55.
Yes, there are 7 direct coaches a day from Munich to Essen with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, Trans Turist. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.
When taking a coach from Munich to Essen, you can count on FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus, Trans Turist for the best way to get you to Essen. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Munich and Essen and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Munich , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB), München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz, München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe), München, Flughafen (Terminal 2) . When arriving in Essen , you can end your route in coach stations like Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof), Gelsenkirchen, Hauptbahnhof/ZOB, Oberhausen, Hbf Fernbushaltestelle.Passengers board the coach most frequently from Munich, Central Bus Station (ZOB), which is located around 1 km away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof), located 0 away from the city centre.
A trip to Essen from Munich is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 9h 45m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Munich to Essen is September.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Munich and Essen including taking a train, coach and flight.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Munich to Essen:
  • BlaBlaCar Bus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Accessible seating options.
  • FlixBus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Munich to Essen for coach company FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Munich to Essen 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 Munich to Essen.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Munich to Essen:
  • 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 Munich to Essen:
  • 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 Munich to Essen. The following conditions apply:
  • FlixBus
    • Small pets in carriers allowed
    • guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Munich to Essen with the following coach company: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Munich to Essen with the following coach company: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Munich to Essen with the following coach company: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Munich and Essen

Most Munich to Essen buses use the München, ZOB to Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) station pair. Use this guide to compare Munich and Essen bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Munich
Arrival bus stations in Essen

Which Munich station do buses to Essen leave from?

Buses from Munich to Essen leave from München, ZOB. The station is 2 km from Munich city centre at Arnulfstrasse 21, 80335 Munchen, Germany.
München, ZOBArnulfstrasse 21, 80335 Munchen, GermanyWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to München, ZOB from Munich city centre

München, ZOB is 1 km from Munich city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainS1, S3, S8, S2, S6, S5, S4 · 9m · £0.90 · every ~61 min
Tram17, 16, N17 · 16m · £3 · every ~25 min

München, ZOB bus station facilities and services

München, ZOB has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.

Food and drink

Food options include: Cafeteria München ZOB (in the station), Bavarian Bistro (in the station), Fast Food Express (in the station).

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the waiting area.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at München, ZOB.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at München, ZOB: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at München, ZOB: Elevators, ramps.

München, Fröttmaning P+R ParkplatzMünchen Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz, 80939 München, GermanyWifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz from Munich city centre

München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz is 8 km from Munich city centre. Public transport options include:

BusFlixBus N199, N280, N34, N899, 1307, N86, 1304A · 21m · £0.90
SubwayU6, U3 · 20m · £3 · every ~17 min

München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz bus station facilities and services

München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz. ATMs are available at München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at München, Fröttmaning P+R Parkplatz: Wheelchair accessible parking available.

München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe)Am Messefreigelände, 81829 München-Trudering-Riem, GermanyWifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe) from Munich city centre

München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe) is 9 km from Munich city centre. Public transport options include:

BusN74 · 26m · £3
N236, 036 · 27m · £0.90
190 · 45m · every ~7 min
SubwayU2 · 28m · £4 · every ~20 min

München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe) bus station facilities and services

München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe). ATMs are available at München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe).

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe).

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe): Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at München, Am Messefreigelände (München Messe): Wheelchair accessible.

More options for your journey from Munich to Essen

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

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