€38*
3:09
3 months in advance
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.
SNCF was the victim last night of several acts of malice affecting the Atlantic, Northern and Eastern high-speed lines. Traffic is severely disrupted on these lines. Disruption possible throughout the weekend. SNCF Voyageurs recommends its customers to postpone their trip.
Impact on trains to/from Belgium:
If you are travelling between Brussels and Lille (FR), we advise you to travel via Tournai, from where you can take IC trains to Lille Flandres (FR). Your TGV ticket remains valid for this journey.
There is currently no traffic departing from Paris Montparnasse.
All customers scheduled to travel this weekend will be contacted again. Check whether your train is running or not (in French only) >
TGV INOUI tickets purchased at SNCB International for journeys from July 26 to July 29 can be exchanged or refunded free of charge until July 29 via our sales channels.
Latest update on 26 July at 13:41
At the request of the security forces, passengers of international trains may be subject to security checks at Brussels-Midi, Antwerp-Central and Liège-Guillemins stations from 14/06/24 to 08/09/24.
These checks (which may include identity checks and luggage searches) are non-systematic and non-permanent and are carried out by accredited security personnel.
Considering the possibility of such security checks, we suggest that passengers travelling abroad anticipate a safe time margin and get to the platform about 30 minutes in advance.
Travellers are also asked to present their identity document and should not be in possession of any suspicious items or items that could endanger other travellers.
Due to SNCF-disruption in Lille (FR), the IC trains Kortrijk - Lille Flandres and Tournai - Lille Flandres will not run on Saturday 27 July 2024.
Only the trains below (late evening) will run:
More information on the strike can be found at sncf.com.
From Monday 12 to Thursday 29 August 2024 inclusive, engineering works are planned on the high-speed line between Brussels and the French border. During these works, Eurostar and TGV INOUI trains will be diverted via an alternative route, resulting in longer journey times.