Best Price Promise

Best Price Promise

If you find trains for a cheaper price elsewhere, let us know and we'll refund the difference*

Book Cheaper Tickets

Book Cheaper Tickets

Save more with a variety of promo codes. Book on the TrainPal app with no booking fees.

Efficient Customer Service

Efficient Customer Service

24/7 fast customer service with prompt responses to your queries

Fast Change and Refund

Fast Change and Refund

Seamless rail travel with easy changes and refunds for peace of mind.

  1. Home
  2. Germany Train Journey
  3. Essen Central Station to Lille Train

Essen Central Station to Lille train times

Explore comprehensive train schedules from Essen Central Station to Lille, featuring the fastest travel time of 5h 30m. With 2 daily departures, catch the first train at 12:09 and the last one at 12:21. Stay updated with real-time information on Trenitalia and Italo train times, prices, delays, and cancellations to ensure a hassle-free journey.

Essen Central Station to Lille train journey information

Access detailed DB train information from Essen Central Station to Lille, including departure and arrival times, stops, distance, journey duration, train companies, and price options. Check train times and prices for a hassle-free trip.

First train
12:09
Last train
12:21
Departure station
Arrival station
Lille
Distance
181 miles (291km)
Journey time
5h 30m
Price
From £121.00
Train operators
Deutsche Bahn

Essen Central Station to Lille train travel guide

Discover the advantages of choosing Deutsche Bahn (DB) trains for your trip from Essen Central Station to Lille. Experience an average journey time of 5h 42m and enjoy the comfort and affordability of ICE or regional train tickets.

Planning and booking

Planning and booking

1. How long is the train ride from Essen Central Station to Lille?

The average travel time from Essen Central Station to Lille by train is 5h 42m. For those in search of the fastest route, the quickest journey takes 5h 30m. For detailed train information, accurate timings, and schedules, visit TrainPal and plan your trip smoothly.

2. Are there direct trains from Essen Central Station to Lille?

No, even if direct trains from Essen Central Station to Lille are not available. However, TrainPal can help you discover the best route by offering detailed information on time, costs, and transfer information. Easily plan your journey with the extensive travel information provided by TrainPal.

3. What is the price of a train ticket from Essen Central Station to Lille?

The minimum fare for a train ticket from Essen Central Station to Lille is £121.00, with the average expense being around £186.50*. Ticket prices can change depending on the booking time, the train service, and any applicable discounts. Thus, check the most up-to-date prices for the best discounts. Enjoy budget-friendly and versatile travel options.

4. Are there frequent trains from Essen Central Station to Lille?

The route from Essen Central Station to Lille has a daily frequency of 2 trains, ensuring frequent service. This allows you to enjoy convenient and efficient departures throughout the day, giving you flexibility in your travel plans. Refer to the most recent schedules for the most precise and current information on train timings and availability.

Onboard services

Onboard services

1. Can I bring my bike on the Essen Central Station to Lille train?

Yes, you can carry your bike on the train from Essen Central Station to Lille. Remember to book your bike ticket and reserve a space in advance to ensure an effortless journey.

Key Points:

  • Train Types: Bikes are allowed on local transport (Interregio-Express, Regional-Express, Regionalbahn, and S-Bahn) as well as long-distance transport (Intercity, Eurocity, ICE 4, ICE 3 neo, and ICE T).
  • Advance Booking: Book your bike ticket, reserve a space, and avoid peak times.
  • Pricing:Long-distance bike tickets start at €7.50, while local transport bike day tickets range from €6 to €6.50.
  • Check Local Regulations:Specific regulations for bike transport vary by region.
  • Properly Park Bike:Place your bike in the designated area as required.
Travelling by train and bike is both green and convenient.

2. Is Wi-Fi available on the ICE train from Essen Central Station to Lille?

All ICE trains, some IC trains, and certain regional trains offer WiFi. First class on ICE and IC trains provide quieter spaces, comfortable seating, access to first-class lounges, digital newspapers and magazines, and seat reservations for passengers with flexible fares. Experience travel with ease and comfort!

 Good to know

Good to know

1. Do I need to book train tickets in advance for Essen Central Station to Lille?

In Germany, last-minute train tickets from Essen Central Station to Lille are available for purchase online, at ticket machines, and station counters. Nonetheless, it is highly recommended to book your train tickets in advance for better availability and pricing. It is not mandatory, but especially during peak travel periods, booking in advance can guarantee better seat availability and typically lower prices. Make your travel arrangements stress-free by booking early and enjoying the benefits of planning ahead.

2. What are the peak travel times for trains from Essen Central Station to Lille

In Germany, the peak travel times for trains from Essen Central Station to Lille typically occur during weekday rush hours, roughly from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Furthermore, weekends, particularly Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons, along with holidays and school breaks, often see higher demand. It is recommended to book tickets in advance during these times to secure a seat and possibly get lower prices.

3. How early should I arrive at the station for my train from Essen Central Station to Lille

For a stress-free travel experience, it is typically advised to arrive at the train station at least 20-30 minutes before your scheduled departure. This gives you plenty of time to find your platform, navigate through any crowds, and address any last-minute concerns like finding your seat or getting snacks. If you are unfamiliar with the station or it is quite large, arriving even earlier is a good idea to ensure a smooth start to your journey.

4. Can I use a regional day pass for the Essen Central Station to Lille train?

Yes, regional day passes can be used on DB trains in Germany, but they are limited to regional trains within the specified region. Passes like the Bayern-Ticket or Niedersachsen-Ticket allow for unlimited travel on regional trains (such as RE, RB, and IRE) and some local public transportation, including buses, trams, and S-Bahn trains, for a day. However, they are not valid on long-distance trains such as ICE, IC, or EC. Always verify the specific terms and conditions of the regional day pass to ensure it covers your intended travel routes.

5. Can I use a Eurail pass on the Essen Central Station to Lille route?

Yes, a Eurail Pass can be used on DB trains in Germany. The pass is applicable on most DB services, such as InterCity Express (ICE), InterCity (IC), and EuroCity (EC) trains. However, for some high-speed or night trains, a seat reservation may be needed in advance, which might incur an additional fee. Verify the specific train requirements and arrange the necessary seat reservations to ensure a seamless travel experience.

6. Do I need a passport or visa to travel from Essen Central Station to Lille by train?

Domestic Travel Within Germany:
  • Passport: For domestic travel on DB trains in Germany, no passport is needed. However, it's recommended to carry a valid ID, like a national ID card or driving licence, especially if your ticket requires identification.
  • Visa: With legal residency in Germany, you can travel domestically on DB trains without a visa.
International Travel:
  • Passport: When using DB trains for international travel, such as trips to neighbouring countries, you will need a valid passport or other acceptable travel documents.
  • Visa:
    • 1) Schengen Area: For travel to or from a Schengen Area country, separate visas for each Schengen Zone country are generally unnecessary if you have a valid Schengen visa or are from a visa-exempt nation.
    • 2) Non-Schengen Countries: Travel to or from a non-Schengen country might require a visa, depending on the specific entry requirements of that country.

Confirm the entry and travel criteria for your nationality and the countries you plan to visit. Consulting the embassies or consulates will yield the most precise and up-to-date information.

Find cheap Essen Central Station to Lille ticket prices

Sparpreis tickets

󰾅
Saver Fare

Super Sparpreis tickets

󰾅
Super Saver Fare

Flexpreis tickets

󰾅
Flexible Fare
 Find cheap Essen Central Station to Lille ticket prices

Exchange and cancellation

Refunds for delayed or cancelled trains

  • When your train is delayed by more than 20 minutes, you can switch to another train on the same or a different route, travel later, or take a train without reservations. If you have a local transport ticket, you can upgrade by paying the difference and then claiming the cost back under passenger rights. For any cancellations or delays, you can submit a passenger rights compensation request online through your customer account on DB Navigator or int.bahn.de. Complete the form and send both the form and your ticket to DB headquarters. For more details, visit DB Official Exchanges and cancellation info page.
  • Exchange and cancellation

    How to buy cheap DB train tickets

    󰄶

    Use TrainPal

    TrainPal offers the cheapest train tickets, listing second and first-class prices. Our journey planner finds the best prices for you, and discount codes add extra savings.

    Super Saver from €17.99

    Second-class Super Saver fares start at €17.99, first class at €23.99.

    Book early for ICE trains

    For lower prices, book German long-distance train tickets (IC, ICE, EC) early, as prices rise near the departure date.

    Regional Day Ticket

    Regional Day Ticket (Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket) offers unlimited regional travel in Germany for one day, from €46.

    IC and ICE overnight trains

    Journey to Germany and neighbouring countries on IC and ICE overnight trains with super saver fares starting at €17.99 and saver fares from €21.99.

    Group travel for 6+ people

    Group of six or more? DB offers super saver fares from €8.90, and European fares from €13.90 per person.

    󰄽

    * The lowest price is based on historical data to predict the cheapest fare over the next 7 days, but actual prices may vary.