Lyon to Paris by train is one of our guilty pleasures.
Where else can you take a two hour train ride from one of the most romantic cities in the world to one of the most gastronomic destinations in Europe?
Whether you’re exploring the many faces of France or simply need to get from Lyon into Paris for your flight home, you won’t regret a fast, affordable, and scenic train ride between cities.
Here’s everything you need to know about train travel between Lyon and Paris.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Yujie Chen. Image Location: Paris, France.
Let’s talk logistics: FAQs getting from Lyon to Paris by train
Can I take a direct, non-stop train from Lyon to Paris?
Yes, you can take a direct, non-stop train straight from Lyon to Paris, which makes it quite convenient for one who wishes to compare and contrast the Gothic Revival architectural features of the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière to French Gothic grandeur of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris.
What is the Paris to Lyon flight time?
Too long, and with one too many planes. What once was an hour-long, single-plane flight between Paris and Lyon is now a multi-flight excursion lasting hours. Seriously. France banned a number of domestic flights that could be replaced with a train trip lasting less than 2.5 hours. Lyon to Paris was one of them.
Technically, you could still travel from Paris to Lyon, but you’d have to fly farther away to a city like Toulouse or Marseille, get off the plane, wait to board a flight to Lyon, then arrive with hours of your vacation wasted in the up-right position.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Gael Fontaine. Image Location: Saone River, Lyon, France.
Is there a high-speed train between Paris and Lyon?
Absolutely: the TGV. Train à Grande Vitesse, or “high-speed train” if your French is as crusty as a baguette. This high-speed rail route will get you from Lyon to Paris in 2 hours. Maybe even 1 hour and 43 minutes if everyone on the train leans a bit forward.
How much does it cost to go from Lyon to Paris?
Would you believe it if we said less than lunch? Just a quick ticket search as of this writing shows ticket prices one-month-out ranging from $124 in 1st class to $11 for a standard ticket. Ticket prices fluctuate based on what time you want to travel and how far in advance you book it. Sometimes a first-class ticket may even be cheaper than a standard fare. That’s why it’s so important to purchase your Lyon to Paris train ticket ASAP.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France.
How far from Paris to Lyon?
Just under 300 miles separates Paris and Lyon. Friendly reminder: a rental car, gas, and obligatory collations de route add up to much more than an affordable train ticket.
Is the train from Lyon to Paris scenic?
Yes, you’ll get a glimpse of the French countryside during your Lyon to Paris train ride. Fair warning: such a quick trip means the scenery will literally pass you by. By the time you settle in, order a drink, and take advantage of the free WiFi, you’ll be half-way to your destination.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Yujie Chen. Image Location: The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Lyon, France.
Could I just fly from Paris to Lyon instead?
If you’ve sprouted a set of wings, sure, have at it.
But don’t assume you can score a cheap plane ticket direct from Paris to Lyon.
France just passed a law banning certain domestic flights that could be accomplished via train travel in less than 2.5 hours. Air France was actually ahead of the game, nixing their Paris-Orly to Lyon leg back in 2020.
Take that, carbon emissions.
Now technically you could get from Paris to Lyon by plane in a choreography of chaos that means flying from Paris to a city beyond the 2.5 hour train rule (Nice, for instance) then flying to Lyon.
That’s like starting in New York City and wanting to go to Philadelphia, but instead of just hopping a single train south, you fly north to Boston and then switch planes to fly over the Big Apple to Philly.
Folle.
Why overly complicate your vacation? Download the Trainline app, buy a ticket from Paris to Lyon right on the app, drink wine while streaming Emily In Paris, and arrive in the center of Lyon in under two hours.
How far in advance should I book my train tickets from Paris to Lyon
The beauty of downloading the Trainline app is that you can book your train tickets from Paris to Lyon long before you even get to France. We recommend purchasing them right after you’ve booked your flight to get the best price, but you can also book last-minute tickets for the lowest prices available.
What are the train station names in Paris and Lyon?
You’ve got a few station options to get from Paris to Lyon. The simplest to remember is Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part-Dieu. Paris Bercy Bourgogne-Pays d’Auvergne is a mouthful but also connects to Lyon Part-Dieu. Marne-la-Vallée—Chessy and Lyon St-Exupéry TGV hold hands across France as well.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, SerrNovik. Image Location: Saone River, Lyon, France.