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Trains from Paris to Lyon

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Travelling by train from Paris to Lyon

Take an SNCF train from Paris to Lyon and experience one of the best cities for gastronomy in all of Europe. Taking just under a couple of hours, TGV trains are an excellent way to travel, with plenty of space, great views and WiFi available on board – you can’t always say that about air travel! It’s worth opting for the train for this journey, as you can leave Paris in the morning (after a lie-in) and still easily be in Lyon in time for lunch.

Another great thing about this journey is that you’ll be going from city centre to city centre, that’s right, with no queues at all you can wander instantly from Lyon Part Dieu train station over to the Rhône River and up to La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière – a must-see piece of architecture when visiting Lyon. Ready to book? If not, you can find more information below, including FAQs and trip reviews.

Journey timeFrom 1h 52m
Price$11.47 - $606.38
Distance243 miles (391 km)
Frequency30 trains per day
Departure stationParis
Arrival stationLyon
ChangesDirect trains available
Train and bus operators
Eurolines France,
Flixbus,
Ouibus,
Isilines,
Ouigo,
SNCF

Paris to Lyon train times

Check out the next trains departing from Paris to Lyon for Tuesday Apr 7th 2020. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
DepartsArrivesDuration
10:57 12:56 1h 59m, direct
11:41 13:34 1h 53m, direct
11:49 13:56 2h 07m, direct
12:56 14:56 2h 00m, direct
13:50 15:56 2h 06m, direct
14:42 16:35 1h 53m, direct
14:57 16:56 1h 59m, direct
15:49 18:01 2h 12m, direct
16:25 18:21 1h 56m, direct
16:43 18:36 1h 53m, direct

TGV, OUIGO, TER and SNCF trains from Paris to Lyon

You can travel from Paris to Lyon on TGV, OUIGO, TER and SNCF trains. When you search for times and tickets, we might also show you some other options with multiple connections or operators if they’re available.

Photo: Ermell, under licence CC BY-SA 3.0

TGV is the high-speed train service of the SNCF company. It connects the major cities of France at speeds of up to 200 mph (320 km/h). All TGV trains are equipped with a food carriage, a free WiFi connection, power sockets and fold-down tables. Two comfort classes are offered – First Class and Second Class, with flexible fare options available and access to the Grand Voyageur lounge in some stations.

More information

Photo: Cramos, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0

OUIGO is the low-cost, high-speed train service operated by the French national train company SNCF. Despite having only one class on board, OUIGO trains offer the same comfort as Second Class seats on TGV trains, although OUIGO tickets are only available to purchase online. To make your journey as smooth as possible, arrive at least 30 minutes before departure and bear in mind that there's an additional fee for bringing a suitcase with you, having a seat with power sockets and travelling with a stroller/buggy.

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Photo: Smiley.toerist, under licence CC BY-SA 3.0

TER (Transport Express Régional) trains are the regional service from SNCF that allow you to make trips to nearby towns and villages located within the same region. With 20 regions in France, TER trains are ideal for travelling to destinations not covered by high-speed services, although ticket prices vary between each region. TER trains have dedicated spaces for bicycles and allow animals on board. Not all TER trains include a First Class carriage.

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Photo: Ctruongngoc, under licence CC BY-SA 3.0

SNCF is the national train operator of France. It operates all domestic trains and routes across France, as well as international services to Spain and Germany. There are three different types of domestic trains that operate under the SNCF banner – TGV (high-speed, full-service trains that connect the major cities in France), Intercités (usually a more frequent stopping service, but with all the amenities), and TER (regional train services with basic onboard facilities).

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Cheap train tickets from Paris to Lyon

Train tickets from Paris to Lyon start at $11.47 one-way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in Advance, however, if you're booking last-minute tickets on the day, the average price is around $102.24.‡
lowest price found‡
from$11.47
4 weeksin advance‡
avg. single price$89.47
2 weeksin advance‡
avg. single price$95.55
on the day‡
avg. single price$102.24

Book in advance

Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Paris to Lyon by booking early.§

Be flexible with your travel times

Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.

Choose a slower or connecting train

On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!

Look out for special deals

Take a look at our handy guide to check when European train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap tickets for your journey.

For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.

§Some train companies may not offer any Advance ticket types or cheaper deals for early bookings. On rare occasions, train companies may choose to release special offers closer to the date on last-minute or late-release tickets. This is dependent on the individual train operating company you travel with.

FAQs for Paris to Lyon

Want to know more about your journey from Paris to Lyon? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How long does the train from Paris to Lyon take?

The average journey time by train between Paris and Lyon is 1 hour and 59 minutes, with around 30 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

How fast does the train from Paris to Lyon travel?

TGV high-speed trains from Paris to Lyon can travel at speeds of up to 200 mph (320 km/h). The fastest journey time from Paris to Lyon by train is 1 hour and 52 minutes.

How much does the train from Paris to Lyon cost?

The average train ticket price from Paris to Lyon usually costs around $95.55 two weeks before travel, but can start from as little as $11.47 when you book in advance. Prices also vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book.

Is there a direct train from Paris to Lyon?

Yes. There are 30 direct SNCF trains that travel from Paris to Lyon each day with an average journey time of 1 hour and 59 minutes.

What time does the first train from Paris to Lyon leave?

The first train from Paris to Lyon leaves at 05:45 from Paris Gare de Lyon. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Paris to Lyon leave?

The last train from Paris to Lyon leaves at 20:33 from Paris Gare de Lyon. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between Paris and Lyon by train?

Trains travelling from Paris to Lyon cover a distance of around 243 miles (391 km) during the journey.

Which train companies operate between Paris and Lyon?

All trains travelling from Paris to Lyon are operated by SNCF – the national train operator in France.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Lyon to Paris.

Our tips and tricks

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. We also believe about taking those journeys and sharing our experiences with you, so you can sit back, relax and get the most out of your trip.

Reviewing Paris to Lyon by train

Review by Jorja Winfield

Gare de Lyon

I love the Gare de Lyon – it’s huge! With its beautiful steeple, it’s probably the most charming train station in Paris. And what better starting place to travel to Lyon than...a station with the same name. Be careful not to get lost in the subway though, I almost missed my train trying to get out of it.

The train itself...

The train to Lyon is a two-storey TGV train. Each ticket shows your carriage and seat number, which made it very easy to find my seat. The seats are comfortable, whether you’re in First or Second class, and have an adjustable table, footrest and small rubbish bin. You also have the option of using a reading light, conveniently located just above your seat.

This TGV train includes free WiFi access. All you need to do is connect to SNCF's WiFi network “_SNCF_WIFI_INOUI”, then go to the “wifi.sncf” website via your internet browser. Once there, just pop in your six-letter booking reference and surname used for the booking.

Arriving in Lyon

After travelling at around 320 km/h for 1h 50m, I arrive at Lyon Part-Dieu – another huge station, it rivals the one I’ve just left in Paris. The station is located right in front of the Part-Dieu shopping centre, so you’ll have the chance to grab a bite to eat and do some window shopping straight away. That’s not to say you can’t shop inside the station either, you’ll find retail stores like Foot Locker, FNAC and Spirit almost as soon as you step off your train.

If you want to find some food inside the station, the Sand Soleil sandwich shop will give you what you need for a quick breakfast or coffee on the go. If you fancy sitting for a little longer before you leave, there’s also a Starbucks with comfortable seating.

When you leave the station, Lyon Part-Dieu is located on the right bank of Lyon. You’ll have to take the metro, bus or walk to reach the city centre, located on the other side. A visit to Lyon wouldn’t be complete without seeing the basilica Notre-Dame de Fourviere and admiring a panoramic view of the city. Believe me, it's worth it. I’d recommend taking one of the funicular trains up to the top though, it’s a bit of a climb!

 

About Jorja

Jorja is one of our trusted, hand-picked travel writers. The information for this article was recorded first-hand, based on her own genuine experience of the journey.

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‡Average prices for adult tickets in economy. Discount cards and coach journey excluded. Prices are based on searches made by our customers over the past 6 months. "14 days in advance" includes days 13 and 15. / The information provided is calculated based on scheduled train services for Paris to Lyon for a typical week day using timetable data for 04/07/2020. On weekends, holidays or other exceptional times, fewer services may be available. The fare range provided has been found by our customers on Trainline on 04/01/2019 for travel on 04/01/2019 and for adult tickets in economy, discount cards and coach journeys excluded.

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