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Trains from Essen 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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  3. Essen to Lille

Take the train from Essen to Lille in 4 hours 17 minutes

If you want to travel from Essen to Lille by train, you've come to the right place.

You can expect the journey from Essen to Lille by train to take around 7 hours 8 minutes. If you want to get there as quickly as possible, it can take as little as 4 hours 17 minutes on the fastest services. You’ll usually find around 26 trains per day running on this route, which spans 180 miles (290 km). You’ll have to make 2 changes along the way on your journey to Lille.

Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to search for cheap ticket prices and we'll show you how much you can save. Tickets from Essen to Lille start from £93.02 when you book in advance.

If you want to know more about the journey, keep reading for timetables, tips on finding cheap tickets and FAQs, including first and last train times. Want to go straight to booking? Start a search with us today!

Trains to Lille from Essen

It takes an average of 7h 8m to travel from Essen to Lille by train, over a distance of around 180 miles (290 km). There are normally 26 trains per day travelling from Essen to Lille and tickets for this journey start from £93.02 when you book in advance.

First train

06:07

Last train

21:21

Departure stationEssen
Arrival stationLille
Journey time

From 4h 17m

Distance

180 miles (290 km)

Frequency

26 trains per day

Changes

2 changes

Price

From £93.02

Train and bus operators

BlaBlaCar Bus, Flixbus

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

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

How do I travel from Essen to Lille?

You can get from Essen to Lille by train in 7 hours and 8 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 4 hours and 17 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from Essen to Lille take?

The average journey time by train between Essen and Lille is 7 hours and 8 minutes, with around 26 trains per day running on this route. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

How much does the train from Essen to Lille cost?

Train tickets from Essen to Lille can start from as little as £93.02 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book.

What's the fastest journey time between Essen and Lille by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Essen to Lille is 4 hours and 17 minutes.

What are the train times from Essen to Lille?

Check out the next trains departing from Essen 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 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 to Lille starts at £93.02§ 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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