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Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Essen to Cologne. Traveling by bus from Essen to Cologne usually takes around one hour and 52 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus bus can make the trip in just one hour and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 36 mi (58 km) |
| Shortest duration | 1h 45m |
| Cheapest price | €4.99 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Essen to Cologne?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Essen to Cologne. FlixBus is the only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 1 | 1h 52m | €7.76 |
First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 1 trips from Essen to Cologne, and usually makes the trip in about 1 hours and 52 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of one hour and 52 minutes to cover the 58 kilometers from Essen to Cologne. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 45 minutes. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short bus trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
"Because many passengers travel from Essen to Cologne at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go."
There is usually only one bus per day from Essen to Cologne. It leaves the station in Essen at 10:00am each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.
There is usually only one bus per day from Essen to Cologne. Fortunately, this happens to be a direct bus, meaning that you do not have to get on a different bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Essen to Cologne; ticket prices start at €4.00.
City Information
Cologne
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Pixabay
There's no shortage of sights, culture, history, and adventure in Cologne, an alluring city on the Rhine. One of the most famous landmarks of the city is the Cologne Cathedral. This Gothic building and UNESCO World Heritage site remains the most iconic structure in the city. In fact, the Cologne Cathedral is the most visited landmark in Germany. Next door, the Museum Ludwig contrasts the cathedral's sense of history with an impressive collection of modern art, including works by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.
Cologne's breadth of museums also caters to a younger crowd. Families with children should head to the Cologne Chocolate Museum along the river or the Cologne Zoological Garden for memorable, kid-friendly experiences.
Foodies, rejoice! Cologne is home to mouthwatering German delicacies and upscale restaurants. Start your day with breakfast at Café Sehnsucht. For lunch, visit Herings Im Martinswinkel, and for dinner, head over to Bei Oma Kleinmann to feel like you're visiting your long-lost German grandmother.
Trains like Deutsche Bahn, DB Intercity, and FlixTrain connect Cologne to other major European cities, including Munich, Paris, and Vienna. You can also catch a bus from Cologne on FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, Sindbad, Union Ivkoni, or Columbuzz. Plus, the Cologne Bonn Airport is a large, well-outfitted airport with daily international flights for travelers coming from afar.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Essen?
Main departure station: Train Station
Essen Hauptbahnhof (Freiheit) is Essen's central bus terminal located directly outside the main train station. Buses servicing the terminal include FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus, which travel to Hamburg six times daily and make regular trips to Munich, Mannheim, and Dusseldorf. The terminal stretches along Freiheit, with various seating areas and stops for different bus companies. Although there aren't many amenities on the road near the station besides a large multistory parking garage, the nearby train station and city center have plentiful shops, restaurants, and hotels. The station also has a Starbucks, McDonald's, and a Lidl supermarket. You can also find information and tickets for major bus services in the train station, although it is advisable to book in advance online.
All bus stations in Essen:
Train Station
Where does the bus arrive in Cologne?
Image credit: philipweaver
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Leverkusen
Leverkusen Mitte is a railway station with regional services, to cities across Germany. The station also receives buses, which service the local area. Leverkusen Mitte is in the center of Leverkusen, so you can easily find cafes, shops, restaurants, and supermarkets to stock up before your trip. There's also plenty of space for parking cars and a bike locker area. Leverkusen is on the outskirts of Cologne, so after catching a train to the city, you can get connections to cities across Germany and the Netherlands.
Bus stations in Cologne:
Leverkusen
Cologne Central Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Cologne to Essen?
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