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Journey Information
There are 13 intercity buses per day from Essen to Kraków. Traveling by bus from Essen to Kraków usually takes around 19 hours and 57 minutes, but the fastest Sindbad bus can make the trip in 15 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 573 mi (922 km) |
| Shortest duration | 15h 30m |
| Cheapest price | $45.07 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus |
| Bus lines | 2 |
What bus companies travel from Essen to Kraków?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Essen to Kraków that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus usually offers more choice, with 12 scheduled trips per day.
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 12 trips from Essen to Krakow, and usually makes the trip in about 20 hours and 7 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Sindbad is a Polish bus company that began its service in 1983. Its fleet of over 120 modern, comfortable coaches connects destinations across Europe. Passengers have access to onboard Wi-Fi and entertainment, air conditioning, restrooms, and beverages. A Sindbad trip to Krakow departing from Essen usually takes 16 hours and 29 minutes, and most trips arrive at ul. Bosacka 18 in Krakow.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 19 hours and 57 minutes to cover the 573 miles from Essen to Kraków. However, the fastest bus only takes 15 hours and 30 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road 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.
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Essen to Kraków for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, 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 bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 1:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Essen to Kraków, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 13 scheduled buses that travel from Essen to Kraków every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Essen to Kraków; ticket prices start at $42.21.
City Information
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 Kraków?
Main arrival station: ul. Bosacka 18
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Krakow.
All bus stations in Kraków:
ul. Bosacka 18
Krakow Czyzyny Bus Station
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Need a return trip from Kraków to Essen?
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