Paris to Lyon by Train
Direct high-speed service · from €16
Route Overview
Travel from Paris to Lyon by TGV INOUI high-speed train in as little as 1 hour and 47 minutes. With up to 30 departures daily from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part-Dieu, this is France's busiest and most popular high-speed rail corridor. Trains reach speeds of up to 320 km/h on the LGV Sud-Est, Europe's first purpose-built high-speed line.
TGV INOUI operates all high-speed services on this route using double-deck Duplex trainsets, offering both 2nd Class (Standard) and 1st Class (Comfort) seating. OUIGO, the low-cost TGV brand, also serves this corridor at lower prices from alternative stations.
Tickets start from €16 per person one way in 2nd Class. Three fare types are available: Prem's (cheapest, limited flexibility), Leisure (semi-flexible with exchange and refund options), and Business (fully flexible). Booking opens approximately 4 months before departure, with the best prices available for early bookings.
Train Operator
TGV INOUI
SNCF high-speed service using double-deck Duplex trainsets
Direct high-speed · 320 km/h max
Departure & Arrival Stations
Paris Gare de Lyon
- 12th arrondissement
- Lines 1, 14
- RER Lines A, D
Lyon Part-Dieu
- 3rd arrondissement
- Metro B
- Tram T1, T3, T4
Classes of Service
2nd Class
- 2+2 seating layout
- Free WiFi (TGV Connect)
- Power outlets at every seat
- Bar-buffet car access
1st Class
- 2+1 seating layout (wider seats)
- Free WiFi (TGV Connect)
- Power outlets at every seat
- Bar-buffet car access
- Quieter atmosphere
Tickets & Booking Tips
Starting Price
from €16 per person, one way in 2nd Class class. Prices typically range from €16 to €130+ depending on class, fare type, date and availability.
Book Early
Tickets are available Approximately 4 months in advance. Advance bookings typically offer the lowest fares.
Children & Youth
Children aged 4-11 get up to 50% discount. Youth aged 12-25 can access Carte Jeune discount card for additional savings. Children under 4 travel free on adult's lap. No separate seat or luggage allowance.
Luggage
2 bags (max 75x53x30 cm each) + 1 hand luggage per passenger
Good to Know
France's First High-Speed Line
The Paris-Lyon route runs on the LGV Sud-Est (Ligne a Grande Vitesse Sud-Est), which opened in 1981 as Europe's first purpose-built high-speed railway. It revolutionised French rail travel and cut the journey time from over 4 hours to under 2 hours.
Double-Deck Duplex Trains
Most Paris-Lyon TGV services use Duplex double-deck trainsets, carrying up to 508 passengers per train. Upper-deck seats offer better views of the Burgundy countryside. Lower deck tends to be quieter.
Paris Gare de Lyon -- Getting There
All TGV services to Lyon depart from Paris Gare de Lyon in the 12th arrondissement. The station is served by Metro lines 1 and 14 (both automated, frequent service) and RER lines A and D. Arrive at least 20 minutes before departure.
Lyon Has Two Main Stations
Most TGV services arrive at Lyon Part-Dieu, the city's main through station and business hub. Some services also stop at Lyon Perrache, closer to the Presqu'ile old town. Check your ticket carefully for the correct station.
OUIGO Low-Cost Alternative
SNCF's budget brand OUIGO offers the same Paris-Lyon route at lower prices, often from €10. OUIGO trains depart from Paris Gare de Lyon (or occasionally Marne-la-Vallee near Disneyland Paris) and arrive at Lyon Part-Dieu or Lyon Saint-Exupery airport station. Amenities are more basic: no power sockets, no food service, strict baggage limits.
Trenitalia Frecciarossa Competition
Since December 2021, Italian operator Trenitalia runs Frecciarossa 1000 trains on the Paris-Lyon route, offering an alternative to TGV INOUI. These services continue to Milan, providing a direct Italy connection. Frecciarossa trains offer 4 classes of service including Executive.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fastest TGV INOUI takes 1 hour and 47 minutes from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part-Dieu. Average journey time is approximately 2 hours, depending on the service and intermediate stops.
Prices start from approximately €16 per person one way in 2nd Class with a Prem's fare. Leisure fares typically range from €30-€70, and fully flexible Business fares from €80-€130. Prices vary with demand; booking early secures the best rates.
Up to 30 TGV INOUI services depart daily from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part-Dieu, making it one of Europe's highest-frequency high-speed routes. Additional OUIGO services also operate on this corridor.
TGV INOUI trains to Lyon depart from Paris Gare de Lyon, located in the 12th arrondissement. Do not confuse this with Gare de l'Est or Gare du Nord, which serve different destinations.
Yes. Folding bicycles travel free in a carrying case. Non-folding bicycles require a €10 reservation for dedicated hook spaces. Book the bicycle space when purchasing your ticket, as spaces are limited.
Yes, free WiFi (TGV Connect) is available in all classes on TGV INOUI trains. The service works via 4G relay and covers most of the route, though speeds may vary in some rural sections.
It depends on your fare type. Prem's fares are non-refundable. Leisure fares are refundable up to 7 days before departure for free, and with a €19 fee from 6 days before. Business fares are fully refundable up to 30 minutes after departure.