There are 5 ways to get from Essen to Lille by train (Eurostar, TGV), bus, car, or train (Eurostar)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train
best- Take the train from Essen Hbf to Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Miditrain Thalys
- Take the train from Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi to Lille Europetrain Tgv
4h 33m€98–204Bus via Brussels
cheapest- Take the bus from Essen central train station to Brussels-North train stationbus 081 / ...
- Take the bus from Brussels-North train station to Lillebus N803 / ...
6h 15m€22–37Drive 320.4 km
- Drive from Essen to Lillecar 320.4 km
3h 18m€50–71Train via Tournai
- Take the train from Essen Hbf to Bruxelles Miditrain Tha
- Take the train from Bruxelles-Midi to Tournaitrain Ic / ...
4h 54m€85–161Bus
- Take the bus from Essen - Bus Station to Lille - Europe Train Stationbus BlaBlaCar Bus
7h 30m€27–50
Essen to Lille by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Essen to Lille is to bus via Brussels which costs €21 - €40 and takes 6h 15m.
The fastest way to get from Essen to Lille is to drive which takes 3h 18m and costs €45 - €75.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Essen - Bus Station station and arriving at Lille - Europe Train Station station. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 7h 30m.
No, there is no direct train from Essen to Lille. However, there are services departing from Essen Hbf and arriving at Lille Europe via Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 4h 33m.
The distance between Essen and Lille is 408 km. The road distance is 320.4 km.
The best way to get from Essen to Lille without a car is to train which takes 4h 33m and costs €95 - €210.
It takes approximately 4h 33m to get from Essen to Lille, including transfers.
Essen to Lille bus services, operated by FlixBus, depart from Essen central train station.
Essen to Lille train services, operated by Eurostar, depart from Essen Hbf station.
The best way to get from Essen to Lille is to train which takes 4h 33m and costs €95 - €210. Alternatively, you can bus via Brussels, which costs €21 - €40 and takes 6h 15m.
What companies run services between Essen, Germany and Lille, France?
You can take a train from Essen Hbf to Lille Europe via Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi in around 4h 33m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Essen central train station to Lille via Brussels-North train station in around 6h 15m.
- Phone
- +44 343 218 6186
- Website
- eurostar.com
Train from Essen Hbf to Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 59m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €70–150
- Website
- https://www.eurostar.com/rw-en
- Standard
- €70–100
- Comfort
- €80–120
- Premium
- €110–150
Train from Essen Hbf to Bruxelles Midi
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 54m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €70–150
- Website
- https://www.eurostar.com/rw-en
- Standard
- €70–100
- Comfort
- €80–120
- Premium
- €110–150
- Phone
- +33 1 84 94 36 35
- Website
- sncf-connect.com
Train from Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi to Lille Europe
- Ave. Duration
- 34 min
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- €25–60
- Website
- https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en
- 2nd Class
- €25–35
- 1st Class
- €45–60
- Phone
- +32 70 79 79 79
- Website
- belgiantrain.be
Train from Bruxelles-Midi to Tournai
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 2m
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- €9–13
- Website
- https://www.belgiantrain.be/en
- 2nd Class
- €9–13
- 1st Class
- €13–20
Rome2Rio's guide to FlixBus
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.fr
Bus from Essen central train station to Brussels-North train station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- €14–25
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
Bus from Brussels-North train station to Lille
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- €7–12
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
Bus from Essen - Bus Station to Lille - Europe Train Station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €27–50
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
- Phone
- +3-389-268-0068
- Website
- blablacar.co.uk
Bus from Essen - Bus Station to Lille - Europe Train Station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €30–50
- Website
- https://www.blablacar.co.uk/bus
Want to know more about travelling around France
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
5 delightfully under-the-radar French towns you need to visit
Read the travel guide
Want to know more about Flixbus?
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Essen to Lille bus services, operated by FlixBus, arrive at Brussels-North train station.
Essen to Lille train services, operated by Eurostar, arrive at Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi station.
Yes, the driving distance between Essen to Lille is 320 km. It takes approximately 3h 18m to drive from Essen to Lille.
Book your Essen to Lille train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Essen to Lille bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.
There are 2127+ hotels available in Lille.



























