Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Frankfurt am Main to Essen
Omio 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 bus with prices starting from $16. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 45m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $16, and a flight costs an average of $112.
Distance: 118 miles (190 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$70 Average price | $25 Average price Cheapest | $134 Average price |
3h 43m Average total duration 3h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 31m Average total duration 4h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 45m Average total duration Fastest 45m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.6 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Travel optionsfrom Frankfurt am Main to Essen
How to get from Frankfurt am Main to Essen by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Frankfurt am Main to Essen is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus8:30 AM4h15Frankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof)12:45 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$311One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
FlixBus6:30 AM4h20Frankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof)10:50 AMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$301One-way0 transfers
Fastest
LH728:50 AM0h45Frankfurt am Main Airport9:35 AMDusseldorf Airport$1291One-way0 transfers
Other options
4156 · IC 2320+
3132311:20 AM4h07Frankfurt (Main) Hbf3:27 PMEssen Hbf$511One-way2 transfers
ICE 316 · 268138:33 AM2h17Frankfurt (Main) Hbf10:50 AMEssen Hbf$891One-way1 transfer
4254 · ICE 10129:09 AM2h13Frankfurt (Main) Hbf11:22 AMEssen Hbf$1031One-way1 transfer
FlixBus3:05 PM4h45Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36)7:50 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$321One-way0 transfers
FlixBus+
FlixTrain10:30 AM5h23Frankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof)3:53 PMEssen Hbf$351One-way1 transfer
FlixBus4:55 PM4h55Frankfurt, Stuttgarter Straße (Fermomnibusbahnhof)9:50 PMEssen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof)$351One-way0 transfers
LH741:30 PM0h45Frankfurt am Main Airport2:15 PMDusseldorf Airport$1291One-way0 transfers
LH765:00 PM0h45Frankfurt am Main Airport5:45 PMDusseldorf Airport$1291One-way0 transfers
LH789:00 PM0h45Frankfurt am Main Airport9:45 PMDusseldorf Airport$1291One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
Compare train, bus, 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.
Apr 02
Apr 03
Apr 04
Apr 05
Apr 06
Apr 07
Apr 08
More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.
FAQs: Travel from Frankfurt am Main to Essen
Travel to Essen easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Frankfurt am Main to Essen.

This is compared to other travel options from Frankfurt am Main to Essen:
A bus is $7 (€6) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Frankfurt am Main to Essen costing on average $23 (€19).
A bus is $95 (€77) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Frankfurt am Main to Essen costing on average $112 (€90).
Other travel options to Essen take longer:
Train takes on average 1h 53m.
Bus takes on average 3h 55m.
- Around 18 buses per day.
- Around 10 trains per day.
- Around 5 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Frankfurt am Main and Essen as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Frankfurt am Main Airport and arrive in Dusseldorf Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and arrive in Essen Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen Frankfurt (Terminal 1 - Busparkplatz P36) and arrive in Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof).
- Travel with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, Globtour Medjugorjie to go to Essen by bus.
- Travel with Lufthansa to go to Essen by flight.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, Hessische Landesbahn to go to Essen by train.
- 14 direct buses per day with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar.
- 4 direct flights per day with Lufthansa.
- 2 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn.
Travelling from Frankfurt am Main to Essen: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
