Getting Around Lille: An Overview
Lille is a compact, walkable city with a public transport network that makes it easy to reach the centre, the suburbs, and even neighbouring Belgian towns. Most visitors arrive by train at one of the city's two main stations, Gare de Lille Europe or Gare de Lille Flandres, and from there the city opens up on foot, by metro, tram, bus, or bike.
Arriving by Train
Lille has two major train stations, and both are well connected to the rest of the city.
- Gare de Lille Europe sits at the heart of the Brussels–Paris–London high-speed rail corridor. TGV and Eurostar trains stop here, with journeys from Brussels taking a little over half an hour, from Paris about an hour, and from London around an hour and twenty minutes through the Channel Tunnel. If you are travelling from the UK, Eurostar is the best option, though you must check in at least 90 minutes before departure to complete border formalities.
- Gare de Lille Flandres is mostly served by regional TER trains, but some TGV services also use it, including trains from Paris.
The two stations are within easy walking distance of each other, so you can connect between services at either one — just leave yourself enough time to walk between them, find your train, and clear security and customs if you are transferring onto a Eurostar service to London.
For cheaper regional travel, TER trains can be purchased fairly cheaply to many destinations in France and Belgium. Towards Belgium, you may only see trains to Kortrijk (Courtrai) on the departure boards at Lille Flandres, but in fact they continue further into Belgium. Watch out for language inconsistencies once you cross the border — only the Brussels Capital region is bilingual.
Arriving by Plane
Lille has its own international airport, but it is mostly served by flights to holiday destinations around the Mediterranean and other airports within France. Visitors may also consider flying into Paris, Brussels, or London and then reaching Lille by train.
- Aéroport de Lille (LIL) is small but convenient for entering Lille or travelling on to nearby areas across the border in Belgium. Both major and budget airlines operate scheduled services. Unlike larger airports there is hardly any walking — check-in desks are directly inside the entrance and security gates are directly behind them. A direct coach connects the airport to central Lille, stopping outside the main railway station, in about 20 minutes. It runs once an hour and costs €7 one-way, or €9 for a return. A taxi into the centre costs about €20.
- Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) is another option, popular with Lille's student population. It offers a wide range of European destinations through low-cost carriers. Flibco runs a shuttle bus from Lille to the airport.
If you are considering arriving via a Paris airport, note that Charles de Gaulle has a train connection onward to Lille, but do not try this from Beauvais — there is no train connection at all, and the only bus goes back to Paris itself.
Arriving by Bus
BlaBlaCar Bus and Flixbus run coach services between Lille and Paris, Brussels, London, Amsterdam, Bruges, and more. The bus stop is located on the road behind Gare de Lille Europe.
Public Transport: Metro, Tram, and Bus
Public transport in Lille is provided by Ilévia. The network is built around two efficient driverless metro lines that connect the centre of the city with several suburbs:
- Metro line M1 mostly serves suburbs on the south side of the city, as well as cutting straight through the centre.
- Metro line M2 starts in the western suburbs, skirts along the boulevard on the southern edge of the centre, and continues to Roubaix and Tourcoing, finally ending at a hospital adjacent to the Belgian border.
Both metro lines serve both railway stations. Note that the platforms at most stations are much longer than the trains, so look at the floor markings to know where to stand.
There are also two tram routes, both starting at the railway stations:
- Tram R serves Roubaix.
- Tram T serves Tourcoing.
Bus lines service all parts of the city, filling in the gaps beyond the metro and tram routes.
Tickets and Passes
Single tickets cost €1.80, plus a €0.20 charge for the rechargeable ticket itself. A pack of ten single tickets is available for €15.40. A 24-hour day pass costs €5.30, and other ticket types are available for longer stays. Ticket machines accept cash and cards.
These tickets cover the Ilévia metro, buses, and trams to any destination. Longer-distance intercity trains — to Roubaix, for example — require separate tickets.
Walking and Cycling
Lille is a very walkable city, and the two main train stations are close enough to walk between. The historic centre, Old Lille, is characterised by its 17th-century red brick town houses, paved pedestrian streets, and the central Grand'Place, all of which are best explored on foot.
Cycling is also very popular in Lille. A bike-sharing system called V'Lille covers the city centre, making it easy to pick up a bike for short trips around town.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available for direct trips, such as from Lille's airport into the centre, which costs about €20. For other journeys around the city, taxis and ride-hailing services offer a convenient alternative to public transport, particularly late at night or when carrying luggage.