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Trains from Lille to Essen

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  1. Home
  2. Train times
  3. Lille to Essen

Take the train from Lille to Essen in 3 hours 39 minutes

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

You can expect the journey from Lille to Essen by train to take around 5 hours 27 minutes. If you want to get there as quickly as possible, it can take as little as 3 hours 39 minutes on the fastest services. You’ll usually find around 25 trains per day running on this route, which spans 180 miles (290 km). You’ll have to make 1 change along the way on your journey to Essen.

You can save money on train tickets from Lille to Essen if you book in Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to search for cheap ticket prices – we'll show you how much you can save on train tickets from Lille to Essen if you book in advance.. Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to compare ticket prices and get the cheapest fares.

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 Essen from Lille

First train

07:00

Last train

22:15

Departure stationLille
Arrival stationEssen
Journey time

From 3h 39m

Distance

180 miles (290 km)

Frequency

25 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Train and bus operators

BlaBlaCar Bus, Flixbus

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

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

How do I travel from Lille to Essen?

You can get from Lille to Essen by train in 5 hours and 27 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 3 hours and 39 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from Lille to Essen take?

The average journey time by train between Lille and Essen is 5 hours and 27 minutes, with around 25 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.

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

The fastest journey time by train from Lille to Essen is 3 hours and 39 minutes.

Can you take a train directly from Lille to Essen?

No, there are no direct train services from Lille to Essen. Travelling from Lille to Essen by train will require a minimum of 1 change.

What are the train times from Lille to Essen?

Check out the next trains departing from Lille to Essen for Tuesday 2nd December 2025. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
DepartsArrivesDuration
10:2814:364h 8m, 3 changes
10:2814:504h 22m, 2 changes
10:5215:314h 39m, 2 changes
12:0918:166h 7m, 5 changes
12:3016:374h 7m, 3 changes
12:3016:404h 10m, 2 changes
14:3018:374h 7m, 3 changes
14:3018:504h 20m, 2 changes
15:2919:083h 39m, 1 change
16:2120:374h 16m, 3 changes

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

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 Lille to Essen starts at § 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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