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Trains from Essen to Lyon

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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 Lyon

Travelling from Essen to Lyon by train

Looking to travel from Essen to Lyon by train? You've come to the right place!

On average, it takes around 9 hours 44 minutes to travel from Essen to Lyon by train, the fastest services can get you there in as little as 7 hours 34 minutes though. You'll usually find 41 trains per day running along the 405 miles (652 km) route between these two destinations. You’ll need to make 1 change during the journey to Lyon, as there currently aren't any direct services on this route.

Plan your trip ahead of time and book early if you want to snap up the cheapest fares. Tickets from Essen to Lyon start from £104.27 when you book in advance, so use our Journey Planner to view the latest prices.

If you’re feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to Lyon by train, including our timetable where you can view first and last train times.

Trains to Lyon from Essen

It takes an average of 9h 44m to travel from Essen to Lyon by train, over a distance of around 405 miles (652 km). There are normally 41 trains per day travelling from Essen to Lyon and tickets for this journey start from £104.27 when you book in advance.

First train

04:30

Last train

22:36

Departure stationEssen
Arrival stationLyon
Journey time

From 7h 34m

Distance

405 miles (652 km)

Frequency

41 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From £104.27

Train and bus operators

Flixbus

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

Want to know more about your journey from Essen to Lyon? 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 Lyon?

You can get from Essen to Lyon by train in 9 hours and 44 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 7 hours and 34 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from Essen to Lyon take?

The average journey time by train between Essen and Lyon is 9 hours and 44 minutes, with around 41 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 Lyon cost?

Train tickets from Essen to Lyon can start from as little as £104.27 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 Lyon by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Essen to Lyon is 7 hours and 34 minutes.

What are the train times from Essen to Lyon?

Check out the next trains departing from Essen to Lyon for Tuesday 14th October 2025. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
DepartsArrivesDuration
07:2115:568h 35m, 4 changes
07:2116:018h 40m, 3 changes
07:5616:018h 5m, 4 changes
10:0917:577h 48m, 2 changes
10:0918:228h 13m, 2 changes
10:2117:577h 36m, 3 changes
10:2118:228h 1m, 3 changes
10:5718:578h 0m, 1 change
11:0919:017h 52m, 2 changes
11:2119:017h 40m, 3 changes

How do I find cheap train tickets from Essen to Lyon?

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 Lyon starts at £104.27§ 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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