Getting There and Away

Sunny day in Lille's Old Town Square with people enjoying outdoor cafes under clear blue skies.
Matteo Angeloni, Pexels

Lille is a key European transport hub, featuring two central train stations, Lille Flandres and Lille Europe, which are approximately 500 meters apart. Lille Airport (Lille-Lesquin) is located about 10-11 kilometers south of the city center.

By Train:

  • From Paris: High-speed trains (TGV InOui, OUIGO) connect Paris Nord to Lille Flandres or Lille Europe in as little as 59 minutes to 1 hour 6 minutes. Ticket prices typically range from €10.74 to €70, varying with booking time.
  • From London: Direct Eurostar services run from London St Pancras International to Lille Europe, with journeys taking approximately 1 hour 22 minutes to 1 hour 26 minutes. Fares can start from around £39-€36.59, potentially reaching up to €300.
  • From Brussels: High-speed trains (TGV inOui, Eurostar, SNCF) provide a rapid connection from Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi to Lille Europe in about 33 to 40 minutes. Tickets generally cost between €10-€15 and €40.

By Bus:

  • From Paris: Direct bus services, such as FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus, operate from Paris, Quai de Bercy, to Lille, taking approximately 2 hours 40 minutes. Fares typically range from €9 to €26.
  • From London: Direct FlixBus services from London Victoria to Lille take about 7 hours 35 minutes, with costs generally between €10 and €130.
  • From Brussels: Direct bus services, including FlixBus and Flibco, are available from Brussels-North train station to Lille, with travel times ranging from 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours 39 minutes. Ticket prices are often between €6 and €17.

By Plane (Lille Airport - LIL):

  • From Lille Airport to City Center: The Flibco shuttle bus offers a direct connection to Lille Flandres station in 20-25 minutes, costing approximately €7-€8 for a one-way ticket. Alternatively, public bus line 68 connects to the 4 Cantons Stade metro station, allowing onward travel by Metro Line 1 to the city center, with a total journey of 32-42 minutes for about €1.80-€2. Taxis and ride-sharing services are also available, taking about 15-20 minutes and costing €20-€40.

By Car:

Lille is accessible via an extensive motorway network (A1, A22, A23, A25, A28). A Crit'Air sticker is mandatory for vehicles, and from January 1, 2025, certain older vehicles will not be permitted. Park and Ride (P+R) facilities are available on the outskirts of the city for easy access to public transport into the center.