Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Lille to Cologne
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Lille to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $16. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 41m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $16, and a train costs an average of $65.
Distance: 171 miles (276 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$34 Average price Cheapest | $133 Average price | $62 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 30m Average total duration 5h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 11m Average total duration Fastest 2h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 56m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - 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 Lille to Cologne:
A bus is $99 (€82) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Lille to Cologne costing on average $133 (€110).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 0m.
Travel optionsfrom Lille to Cologne
How to get from Lille to Cologne by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Lille to Cologne is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
504481:45 AM4h40Lille, Boulevard de Turin (Gare Lille Europe)6:25 AMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$361One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
504481:45 AM4h40Lille, Boulevard de Turin (Gare Lille Europe)6:25 AMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$361One-way0 transfers
Fastest
9890+
ICE 159:18 AM2h57Lille-Europe12:15 PMCologne Hbf$2061One-way1 transfer
Other options
9809+
ICE 137:18 AM2h58Lille-Europe10:16 AMCologne Hbf$1911One-way1 transfer
9852+
ICE 159:18 AM2h57Lille-Europe12:15 PMCologne Hbf$2061One-way1 transfer
9809+
ICE 157:18 AM4h57Lille-Europe12:15 PMCologne Hbf$2061One-way1 transfer
5045811:50 AM5h00Lille, Boulevard de Turin (Gare Lille Europe)4:50 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)$361One-way0 transfers
FlixBus2:00 PM6h05Lille, Boulevard de Turin (Gare Lille Europe)8:05 PMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)$391One-way0 transfers
FlixBus4:40 PM6h00Lille, Boulevard de Turin (Gare Lille Europe)10:40 PMKöln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen)$411One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Lille to Cologne
Travel to Cologne easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Lille to Cologne.

This is compared to other travel options from Lille to Cologne:
A bus is $99 (€82) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Lille to Cologne costing on average $133 (€110).
Other travel options to Cologne take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 0m.
- Around 7 buses per day.
- Around 2 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Lille and Cologne as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Lille-Europe and arrive in Cologne Hbf.
- Buses mostly depart from Lille, Boulevard de Turin (Gare Lille Europe) and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
- Travel with BlaBlaCar Bus, FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, Union Ivkoni International to go to Cologne by bus.
- Travel with Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar, Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français (SNCF) to go to Cologne by train.
- 5 direct buses per day with BlaBlaCar Bus, FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, Union Ivkoni International.
Travelling from Lille to Cologne: related information
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