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Trains from Essen Hbf to Lille

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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

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About the train journey from Essen Hbf to Lille

Want to travel from Essen Hbf to Lille by train? Start your journey with us.

The train from Essen Hbf to Lille usually takes 6 hours 54 minutes on average to travel 180 miles (290 km), although the quickest services can take as little as 4 hours 17 minutes. You can expect to find 25 trains per day running on this popular route. As there aren’t any direct services running between Essen Hbf and Lille, you’ll need to make 2 changes on your way to Lille.

To help you get the best train deals, we'll highlight the cheapest train ticket prices from Essen Hbf to Lille in our Journey Planner. Just remember, the sooner you book your tickets, the more you'll save, as advance tickets start from £100.28.

Keep reading for more information about the train journey to Lille, including FAQs, timetables with first and last train times and tips on booking cheap train tickets. If you’re ready to book, just start a search for tickets with us today.

Trains to Lille from Essen Hbf

It takes an average of 6h 54m to travel from Essen Hbf to Lille by train, over a distance of around 180 miles (290 km). There are normally 25 trains per day travelling from Essen Hbf to Lille and tickets for this journey start from £100.28 when you book in advance.

First train

06:07

Last train

22:36

Departure stationEssen Hbf
Arrival stationLille
Journey time

From 4h 17m

Distance

180 miles (290 km)

Frequency

25 trains per day

Changes

2 changes

Price

From £100.28

Train and bus operators

BlaBlaCar Bus, Flixbus

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Essen Hbf to Lille?

Want to know more about your journey from Essen Hbf to Lille? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How do you get to Lille from Essen Hbf?

To travel to Lille from Essen Hbf, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 6 hours and 54 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 4 hours and 17 minutes. Use our Journey Planner to get more information.

How long is the train ride from Essen Hbf to Lille?

Trains from Essen Hbf to Lille take an average of 6 hours and 54 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 4 hours and 17 minutes. You'll usually find 25 trains per day on this route, so use our Journey Planner to check specific dates as times may vary.

How much does it cost to get from Essen Hbf to Lille by train?

Train tickets from Essen Hbf to Lille can start from £100.28 when booked in advance, but they’re usually more expensive if bought on the day of travel. Prices may also vary depending on the time of day, route, and class you choose.

What is the quickest journey time between Essen Hbf and Lille by train?

The quickest journey time between Essen Hbf and Lille by train is 4 hours and 17 minutes.

What are the train times from Essen Hbf to Lille?

Check out the next trains departing from Essen Hbf to Lille for Tuesday 14th October 2025. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
DepartsArrivesDuration
10:0914:384h 29m, 2 changes
10:2114:384h 17m, 3 changes
11:0915:444h 35m, 2 changes
11:2115:444h 23m, 3 changes
13:0917:484h 39m, 2 changes
13:2117:484h 27m, 3 changes
14:0919:515h 42m, 3 changes
14:2119:515h 30m, 4 changes
14:4420:516h 7m, 5 changes
14:4720:526h 5m, 5 changes

How do I find cheap train tickets from Essen Hbf to Lille?

If you’re planning a trip to Europe soon, our Trainline team of experts have put together some tips to help you find cheap tickets. Booking on the day in Europe is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or travel class.

1. Book in advance

The price of train tickets from Essen Hbf to Lille starts at £100.28§ one-way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. Most train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months ahead of time, so if you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find cheaper tickets.

2. Be flexible with your travel times

If you can, consider travelling outside of 'peak hours' (generally between 06:00 - 10:00 and 15:00 - 19:00 on weekdays) as many train companies increase their ticket prices during these commuter times.

3. Buy a rail pass

If you're visiting multiple locations on your trip, buying a rail pass can be cheaper than buying individual tickets. We're official retailers of Interrail Passes that are valid for travel within one country or multiple countries across Europe.

4. Choose a slower or connecting train

On some busier routes, you might have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have some extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare.

5. Look out for train ticket sales and discounts

Many train companies in Europe will often run sales on tickets throughout the year or offer discounts to senior/youth/group travellers, so keep an eye out!

6. Take a night train

Save on accommodation and use the night to travel by sleeper train to your next destination.

For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.

§Some train companies may not offer any Advance ticket types or cheaper deals for early bookings. On rare occasions, train companies may choose to release special offers closer to the date on last-minute or late-release tickets. This is dependent on the individual train operating company you travel with.

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