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Journey Information
There is one daily coach from Cologne to Essen. Traveling by coach from Cologne to Essen usually takes around one hour and 49 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus coach can make the trip in just one hour and 40 minutes.
| Distance | 36 mi (58 km) |
| Shortest duration | 1h 40m |
| Cheapest price | €4.97 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus |
| Coach lines | 1 |
How much is a coach ticket from Cologne to Essen?
€5.01 is the average price of a bus ticket from Cologne to Essen. This is currently one of the best deals in bus travel. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.
Monthly average prices
The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in November. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just €7 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Cologne to Essen in December, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to €10 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.
What coach companies travel from Cologne to Essen?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Cologne to Essen. 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.
| Coach | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 1 | 1h 49m | €5.90 |
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 Cologne to Essen, and usually makes the trip in about 1 hours and 49 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 coach takes an average of one hour and 49 minutes to cover the 36 miles from Cologne to Essen. However, the fastest coach only takes an hour and 40 minutes. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short coach trip. Keep in mind that your actual coach may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
"Travelers prefer riding the coach on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in Essen. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go."
There is usually only one coach per day from Cologne to Essen. It leaves the station in Cologne at 18:00 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 coach per day from Cologne to Essen. Fortunately, this happens to be a direct coach, meaning that you do not have to get on a different coach at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Cologne to Essen; ticket prices start at €3.98.
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 coach 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 coach leave from in Cologne?
Image credit: philipweaver
Link to image attributionMain departure 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, iso 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.
All coach stations in Cologne:
Leverkusen
Where does the coach arrive in Essen?
Main arrival 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.
Coach stations in Essen:
Train Station
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