Paris to Lyon by train in about 2 hours: TGV, OUIGO and Frecciarossa compared, 2026 fares, which Lyon station to choose, and wine-country stops on the way.
The train from Paris to Lyon takes about 2 hours on a direct TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part-Dieu, and the fastest departures do it in around 1 hour 50 minutes. With 25 to 30 high-speed trains a day, it is one of the busiest rail routes in Europe and far easier than driving or flying. Our travel designers work from Villefranche-sur-Saône, just north of Lyon, so we meet this train more often than any other.
Quick answer
- Fastest: direct TGV INOUI, about 1 h 50 min to 2 h, Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part-Dieu.
- Price in 2026: advance second-class fares often start in the €20s to €40s (about $25 to $45); flexible fares bought late run €85 to €110 or more.
- How often: 25 to 30 high-speed departures a day, roughly every 30 to 60 minutes from early morning to evening.
- Stations: Paris Gare de Lyon for TGV INOUI and Trenitalia; some OUIGO trains use Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy or Massy TGV. In Lyon, Part-Dieu for most trains, Perrache for the southern Presqu'île, Saint-Exupéry for the airport.
| Option | Time | Price range (2026) | Comfort | Luggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TGV INOUI | about 1 h 50 min to 2 h | €20s to €110+ one way | First or second class, bar car, power outlets | Racks at car ends and overhead, no fees |
| OUIGO | about 2 h from Gare de Lyon, longer from the suburbs | low fares, plus options | Second class only, no bar car | Small bag included, suitcases are a paid extra |
| Trenitalia Frecciarossa | about 2 h, a few departures a day | competitive with TGV | Several classes, bar car | Racks, no fees |
| Car or private driver | 4.5 to 5 h for about 465 km | tolls, fuel or a driver's full day | Door to door | Unlimited |
| Bus | 6 h or more | the cheapest, but slow | Basic | Hold luggage |
There is no sensible flight for this distance. The train wins on every count except price on a crowded Friday, and even then, a driver is rarely worth five hours on the A6 unless you want to stop in Burgundy.
This is not a scenic line in the way the Riviera or the Alps are: the high-speed track avoids towns and runs through rolling farmland. If you want to watch Burgundy go by, take an upper-deck window seat on a double-deck TGV. Otherwise, pick a seat near the luggage rack at the end of the car so you can see your bags, and enjoy two quiet hours.
The Paris to Lyon corridor runs through some of the best wine country in France. Instead of a two-hour transfer, we often turn it into a two-day drive or a split train journey.
Paris Gare de Lyon has level access from the street to the platforms, and Part-Dieu has lifts to its platforms. On TGV INOUI, wheelchair spaces are in first class and sold at the second-class fare, with an adapted toilet nearby; the upper deck of double-deck trains is reached by stairs, so book the lower deck if steps are difficult. Station assistance is booked through SNCF's Assist'enGare service, and the Accès Plus line (3635, then #45 from France) helps with tickets. We request assistance at least 48 hours ahead and add a driver with an adapted vehicle at Part-Dieu when needed.
Because our team is based just north of Lyon, the Paris to Lyon train is home ground for us. We book seats in the car closest to the exit at Part-Dieu or Perrache, depending on your hotel, and a driver meets you on the platform side of the station. For most travelers we recommend at least two nights in Lyon: our article on whether Lyon is worth visiting explains what you would miss with a day trip, and our Lyon Festival of Lights guide covers the December dates.
Lyon is also a hub for the rest of the trip. From here we continue to the Alps and Geneva, which our Paris to Switzerland by train guide covers, or south to Provence. Our French Christmas in 7 Days trip combines Alsace, Lyon and the Alps, and the France honeymoon from Paris to Provence passes through Burgundy. More ideas are on our France page.
If you would like a designer to book the trains, the drivers and the wine country stop in between, tell us about your trip.
More guides: Getting around
Direct high-speed trains from Paris Gare de Lyon reach Lyon Part-Dieu in about two hours, and the fastest take around 1 hour 50 minutes. Regional trains are much slower, over three hours with a change, so they only make sense if you are stopping in Burgundy along the way.
It depends on your hotel. Part-Dieu is the main station, on the east side of the Rhône, and suits the 3rd and 6th arrondissements. Perrache sits at the southern tip of the Presqu'île and is closer to Bellecour, Ainay and Vieux Lyon. Not every train continues to Perrache, so check before booking.
Yes, with two hours each way and frequent trains it is possible, but you would only see the Presqu'île and Vieux Lyon in a rush. Lyon's food scene works best in the evening, so we recommend at least two nights, ideally combined with Beaujolais or Burgundy, before continuing to the Alps or Provence.
In 2026 advance second-class fares often start in the €20s to €40s when booked well ahead, while flexible fares bought close to departure can reach €85 to €110 or more. OUIGO is cheaper but charges for suitcases and may leave from suburban stations. Sales usually open about four months before travel.
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