- Must visit
Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille
Lille's flagship fine arts museum with major European paintings, sculptures, antiquities, and relief maps in a grand palace setting.
Cheapest price on Sep 19
€19
Average ticket price on Sep 19
€24
Fastest journey on Sep 19
5 h 10 m
Average journey duration on Sep 19
6 h 35 m
Buses on Sep 19
6
Distance
291 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Essen to Lille is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Essen to Lille will cost around €24 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €19.
On Sat, Sep 19, we found 6 buses from Essen to Lille, including 6 direct services.
On Sat, Sep 19 the direct buses cover the 291 km distance in an average of 6 h 35 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 10 m .
On Sat, Sep 19 the slowest buses will take 7 h 30 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
51122
FlixBus
50449
FlixBus
50429
FlixBus
51122
FlixBus
50449
50429Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Essen to Lille among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €35 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 28m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the bus is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.3 - 0.7kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €35, while a train costs an average of €47.
Distance: 180 miles (291 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€35 Average price Cheapest | €47 Average price | €53 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 1m Average total duration 6h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 28m Average total duration Fastest 3h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 57m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Essen to Lille:
A bus is €11 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Essen to Lille costing on average €47.
Other travel options to Lille take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 31m.
Tickets start at around €35 compared to roughly €53 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €18. The journey takes 6h 31m versus 3h 57m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by BlaBlaCar Bus, FlixBus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:40AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price €21 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 07:50AM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 07:55AM | Arrival Time 03:25PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price €24 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 08:55AM | Arrival Time 04:25PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price €26 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:35AM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 09:55AM | Arrival Time 05:25PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €25 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:55AM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €25 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:55PM | Arrival Time 07:35PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price €20 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 12:20AM | Duration 8h20 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price €39 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 3h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €18 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:55PM | Arrival Time 12:05AM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price €20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 01:55AM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price €20 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:40PM | Arrival Time 12:50AM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price €23 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 02:55AM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price €20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 03:55AM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price €19 |
The table below shows live departures for Essen to Lille buses for today, Friday, September 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:55 AM Essen | 7h30 | 3:25 PM Lille | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:55 AM Essen | 7h30 | 4:25 PM Lille | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:55 AM Essen | 6h40 | 6:35 PM Lille | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:00 PM Essen | 6h55 | 1:55 AM Lille | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:00 PM Essen | 6h55 | 2:55 AM Lille | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:40 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 7h50 | 12:30 PM Lille, Boulevard de Turin (Gare Lille Europe) | 0 transfersDirect | |
51122 | 7:50 AM Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) | 6h40 | 2:30 PM Lille, Boulevard de Turin (Gare Lille Europe) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Essen to Lille run on average 6 times per day, taking around 6h 31m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €19 but you can travel from only €7 by train.
There are 5 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 180 miles (291 km) distance in 5h 5m.
Distance 180 miles (291 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 31m |
Cheapest ticket price €19 |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 5h 5m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Lille — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Lille trip today.
Lille's flagship fine arts museum with major European paintings, sculptures, antiquities, and relief maps in a grand palace setting.
Contemporary art museum near Lille known for major modern collections, sculpture park, and strong temporary exhibitions.
Art and industry museum in nearby Roubaix, housed in a former swimming pool and famous for its atmospheric displays and design collections.
Lille's old town charms with cobbled lanes, Flemish façades, boutiques, and a lively atmosphere ideal for wandering and photography.
Long green park beside the citadel, popular for jogging, picnics, boating, and easy walks close to the center.
Large central square linking transport, shopping, and historic sights; a practical hub and one of the city's busiest meeting points.
A rich Flemish beef and onion stew simmered with dark beer and bread. It is a signature dish of Lille and northern France, reflecting the region's brewing heritage.
A crisp tart made with Maroilles cheese, a strong local cow's milk cheese from the region. It is one of the most emblematic savory specialties around Lille.
Mussels served with fries, popular in Lille brasseries and during the Braderie. The dish reflects the city's Belgian influence and long-standing regional food culture.
Michelin-starred dining in Old Lille with polished modern French cuisine and seasonal tasting menus. Refined service in an intimate fine-dining room.
Popular estaminet serving regional northern dishes and local beers in a warm, rustic interior. A strong choice for traditional Lille comfort food.
Renowned pastry salon and tea room famous for Lille stuffed waffles and elegant sweets. A classic stop for local pastry heritage in a refined setting.
Moderate for France. Hotels and dining are often cheaper than Paris, while transit is affordable and many sights are low-cost.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for great restaurant service, round up taxis, and leave small change in cafes.
Official public transport app
Gare Lille Europe -> Lille Flandres, Lille
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Essen to Lille by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Lille, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Essen to Lille buses use the Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) to Lille, Boulevard de Turin (Gare Lille Europe) station pair. Use this guide to compare Essen and Lille bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafes and snack bars nearby.
Free WiFi is available in the waiting area. ATMs are aTM machines available inside the station.
Ticket office support is available at Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof).
Available at Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Essen, Freiheit (Hauptbahnhof): Wheelchair accessible routes and facilities available.
Lille, Boulevard de Turin (Gare Lille Europe) is 1 km from Lille city centre. Public transport options include:
Lille, Boulevard de Turin (Gare Lille Europe) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria de la Gare (in the station), Bistro de Lille (0.2 km), Le Petit Chef (0.5 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the concourse area.
Ticket office support is available at Lille, Boulevard de Turin (Gare Lille Europe).
Available at Lille, Boulevard de Turin (Gare Lille Europe): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Lille, Boulevard de Turin (Gare Lille Europe): Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need