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Getting from Cologne to Lille is easy! On this train journey, you just need to change trains once, at Brussels (Midi/Zuid) station, after your arrival there from Cologne.
This journey of over 300 km from Germany to France takes just over 3 hours on high-speed trains. And as an added bonus, you’ll arrive in the city centre!
The first leg of your journey will take you from the central station in Cologne (Köln Hbf) to Brussels (Midi/Zuid) station. This service runs several times a day with high-speed Eurostar or ICE trains, and takes just 1 hour 47 minutes.
At Brussels (Midi/Zuid) station, board the Eurostar or TGV INOUI trains to Lille. All you have to do is change platforms after your arrival from Cologne. Very easy!
There are around 8 direct trains from Brussels to Lille on weekdays. They’ll take you to Lille Europe train station in around 35 minutes. One of 2 major railway stations in the city, Lille Europe is an international hub for Eurostar and TGV INOUI so if your journey’s taking you further into France, this is the ideal starting point to do so.
Updated 14/3, 5h30pm
Due to a strike in Belgium, the rail service on the Belgian rail network will be limited from Sunday 16 March (10 pm) to Monday 17 March 2025 included.
An alternative train service will be put in place depending on the available staff. More details about this alternative service will be available from Saturday 15 March on www.belgiantrain.be.
All TGV INOUI, ICE and OUIGO trains, like most Eurostar trains, will operate normally on Monday 17/3. However:
EuroCity (Brussels-Rotterdam): 10 trains out of 16 will operate in each direction. Cancelled trains:
Eurocity Direct (Brussels-Amsterdam): half of the trains will operate on 17/3. Cancelled trains:
Nightjet: the train from Vienna and Berlin of Sunday 16/3 will terminate in Cologne. The train to Vienna and Berlin of Monday 17/3 will depart from Cologne. Between Cologne and Brussels/Liège, passengers can use ICE trains.
We advise to check this page regularly for further updates.
Please take alternative service into account if you are travelling on our cross-border local trains to/from Lille, Maubeuge, Luxembourg, Roosendaal, Maastricht or Aachen or if you need to take a local connection in Belgium before or after your international journey.
