How to get to Lille Flandres Train Station

Travel from Lille city centre to Gare de Lille Flandres

Situated close to the Belgian border in north-eastern France, Lille is famous for its history as a major coal-mining centre. However, the city has evolved to offer other attractions, including the fine bars and restaurants around Grand-Place at the heart of the city, the finely-restored 17th-century town centre, and the numerous magnificent galleries featuring Fine Arts. Still, the city has benefitted immensely following major rail upgrades including the renovations of the most important rail hubs in northern France; the train station Gare de Lille-Flandres. The arrival of Eurostar services catapulted it even higher. The train terminal opened its doors in 1842 and is easily accessible from the city centre as there are various means of transport to get you there.

How far is it from Lille city centre to Gare de Lille Flandres train station?

The station at Lille lies conveniently for those arriving from central areas, and you’ll need a short duration to do your transfers. Grand-Place is situated 0.3 miles (0.5 km) from the Gare de Lille-Flandres, only a 5-10min walking distance to enjoy the rail services. If you choose a metro, you’ll connect to the station within 2min. Grand Palais is about 0.6 miles (1 km) away, and a metro should get you there in about 2-3min. However, the iconic metropole Museum of Modern Art sits about 6 miles (9 km) east of downtown Lille, and buses and metro trains will get you there in around 25-35min.

If you’re arriving by air, you’ll also need to travel further to access the train station. Lille Lesquin Airport is situated approximately 8 miles (12 km) south of Lille city. From the airport, a Navette shuttle bus will transfer you to the train station Gare de Lille-Flandres after a 30min drive. However, if you take a combination of a bus and metro, expect to reach the terminal in about 35-40min.

What is the best way to get to the train station Gare de Lille Flandres from Lille city centre?

There are a few ways you can use it if you want to travel to the trains station from Lille city centre. If you choose to start your connection at Grand-Place, the easiest route will usually be to target the Lille metro. The metro, a driverless light rail network with extensive coverage of the city and its immediate neighbourhood, takes just 2min to operate from Grand-Place (Rihour station) to the train station Gare de Lille-Flandres. If you’re coming from Grand Palais, metro services come in handy, but if you’re connecting from Eurostar services, the distance between the Gare Lille Europe and train station Gare de Lille-Flandres is only 1.2 miles (1.9 km), and you can reach it after a few steps. LAM - the main modern art museum - is a bit further away, and you may require a combination of metro line 6 and line 32 bus.

Lastly, passengers heading to the station from Lille Airport can hop onto Navette shuttles for a direct ride. Still, a combination of buses and metro services will serve you. Any of the above-mentioned means to the train station Gare de Lille Flandres will connect you to various European destinations easily.

Where is the airport in Lille, and how to get there?

Lille Lesquin Airport is situated approximately 8 miles (12 km) south of Lille city. From the airport, a Navette shuttle bus will transfer you to the train station Gare de Lille-Flandres after a 30min drive. However, if you take a combination of a bus and metro, expect to reach the terminal in about 35-40min.

How accessible is Lille train station for those with limited mobility?

The Gare de Lille-Flandres management has endeavoured to make bus and metro service more suitable for travellers with limited mobility. Therefore, disabled passengers should have an easy time commuting to a station from Lille city. The terminal has elevators at every metro platform, to facilitate enhanced access to the coaches, and the audio announcements ensure that the visually impaired passengers get around without a problem. Most buses are fitted with wheelchair access ramps, although this feature may make bus transfers less appealing.

Nevertheless, Navette services from the airport come with aids for the convenience of those with mobility limitations. The layout of the station considered the special needs of those with disabilities, including ticketing facilities, escalators, ramps, and toilets. Also, there are dedicated staff on call to help those in need. For instance, the Belgian national carrier SNCB delegates one staff to offer assistance on each trip.

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Night trains to/from Gare de Lille Flandres

Numerous traveling Omio magazines assert that travelers who are conscious of their comfort and privacy are increasingly embracing night travels. There are a couple of trains that depart from train station Gare de Lille Flandres to other cities in the region. For instance, SNCF offers a few connections to Lyon and Paris, with the departure times varying based on the specific travel days, and the number of changes that the coach makes along the route. Besides, if you want a thrilling night ride experience, secure a first-class ticket and relax in your comfortable reclining leather seat where you’ll get a complimentary beverage. Still, the economy cabin is ideal if you want to save a few coins as tickets are cheaper. Furthermore, you’ll meet new friends and possibly establish useful contacts.

Traveling by train in Lille: Sustainable journey

With trains consuming significantly less fuel than other means of transport like planes and personal cars, they provide an economically friendly and efficient means of transport from train station Gare de Lille Flandres. Combusting less energy emits fewer volumes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Therefore, climate change experts quantitatively approximate that if you travel by train, you can reduce your carbon footprints by about 13 times.

Local tips: Lille train station points of interest

The Gare de Lille-Flandres is nestled close to a wide range of fantastic attractions. Therefore, if you have a few hours to spare, venture out and explore the area’s diverse landmarks. Grand-Palace should be the first stop as it features the Theater du Nord, public chess games, book markets and the 17th century Bourse. If you want to explore the north, the Hospice Comtesse Museum awaits. Head in and browse fascinating arts and recreations at a 17th-century convent. With a well-established metro network, getting around this charming city should be easy. It’s advisable to get ZAP tickets as you qualify to visit three stops on the network, which is cheaper than a single fare. Other attractions at this destination include:

• Singing Studio Lille - Karaoke boxes
• Primark
• Westfield Euralille
• Transport VTC Lille
• John Doe Escape Game Lille

What to do in Lille

A worthwhile detour between Paris and Brussels leads to Lille, a beautiful city with a wide range of attractions. If you’re keen to delve into the city’s rich history, pop into the Fine Arts Museum and experience a prestigious art collection, and exceptional collection of European paintings. A visit to the Eglise Saint-Maurice introduces you to the area’s spiritual setting. Walkthrough this restored sanctuary and marvel at the harmonious interior featuring five aisles and 36 tall columns. Lastly, don’t end your tour without getting the view from the top of the Belfry. The panoramic view at this UNESCO World Heritage site is breathtaking.