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Journey Information
There are 11 intercity coaches per day from Lille to Essen. Traveling by coach from Lille to Essen usually takes around 10 hours and 40 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus coach can make the trip in 6 hours and 55 minutes.
| Distance | 181 mi (291 km) |
| Shortest duration | 6h 55m |
| Cheapest price | £14.52 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus |
| Coach lines | 1 |
What coach companies travel from Lille to Essen?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Lille to Essen. FlixBus connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
| Coach | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 11 | 10h 40m | £33.12 |
First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 11 trips from Lille to Essen, and usually makes the trip in about 10 hours and 40 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Frequently Asked Questions
The coach takes an average of 10 hours and 40 minutes to cover the 181 miles from Lille to Essen. However, the fastest coach only takes 6 hours and 55 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual coach may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
"Tuesday is usually the day of the week when coaches are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your coach travel for the beginning of the week."
The first coach leaves at 01:00 and the last coach leaves at 23:00. To see the times for all coaches from Lille to Essen, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 11 scheduled coaches that travel from Lille to Essen every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which coach you take, you will have to transfer coaches at least once during your journey.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Lille to Essen; ticket prices start at £44.70.
City Information
Lille
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Once an important trade centre in historic French Flanders, Lille is now the capital of the Hauts-de-France region close to the Belgian border. With strong Flemish influences and an ever-lively downtown, Lille makes an incredible Northern France destination.
It's hard to decide where to go first in this city full of architecturally-beautiful historical buildings. The Vieux-Lille is possibly one of the most striking areas, filled with many ornate buildings. This old-town area of Lille demonstrates the true Flemish soul of the city. Visit the Place du General-de-Gaulle or the Vieille Bourse (a stock exchange from the 1600s!) for a taste of the city's history, or simply wander through the cobblestone streets to discover many local cafes.
During your visit to Lille, you must sample the foods and drinks that the region is famous for. Northern France hosts an amazing beer scene, with many craft bars offering a truly French-Flemish experience. Plus, Lille's proximity to Belgium means you are never too far away from waffles. Belgian-style waffles have delighted the people of Lille for over 250 years, and you will be able to see why as soon as you taste one.
Travel to Lille is exceptionally convenient. Arrive via Eurostar from London or via TGV from Paris and other major cities. Lille also has a small airport, offering direct flights from nearby countries. The cheapest mode of transport is often traveling by coach. Carriers including FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, and Sindbad run coach routes from Lille to destinations throughout Western Europe.
Station Information
Where does the coach leave from in Lille?
Image credit: Fred Romero
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Gare de Lille Europe
Gare de Lille Europe (Lille-Europe Station) is a large transportation interchange on the northeastern edge of Lille's centre. It consists of a railway station, coach station, metro stop, and tram stop along and below the Boulevard de Turin. International Eurostar and long-distance TGV services stop through this station, connecting to destinations in the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It is within walking distance to Lille-Flandres, where trains to Paris depart. There are multiple waiting areas, kiosks, toilets, and more at this large station.
All coach stations in Lille:
Gare de Lille Europe
Where does the coach arrive in Essen?
Main arrival station: Train Station
Essen Hauptbahnhof (Freiheit) is Essen's central bus terminal located directly outside the main train station. Buses servicing the terminal include FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus, which travel to Hamburg six times daily and make regular trips to Munich, Mannheim, and Dusseldorf. The terminal stretches along Freiheit, with various seating areas and stops for different bus companies. Although there aren't many amenities on the road near the station besides a large multistory parking garage, the nearby train station and city center have plentiful shops, restaurants, and hotels. The station also has a Starbucks, McDonald's, and a Lidl supermarket. You can also find information and tickets for major bus services in the train station, although it is advisable to book in advance online.
Coach stations in Essen:
Train Station
Essen Hbf
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Need a return trip from Essen to Lille?
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