Paris to Lyon at a glance
| Option | Typical time | Price from (14 Nov 2026) | Leaves from and arrives at |
|---|---|---|---|
| TGV INOUI (SNCF) | From 1h43 | 16 euros one way, second class | Paris Gare de Lyon; Lyon Part-Dieu or Perrache |
| Ouigo (SNCF low-cost) | About 1h45 | 16 euros adult, 8 euros child | Paris Gare de Lyon or Marne-la-Vallee/CDG; Lyon Part-Dieu |
| Frecciarossa (Trenitalia) | About 2 hours | 23 euros, Standard | Paris Gare de Lyon; Lyon Part-Dieu, Perrache or Saint-Exupery |
| FlixBus | From about 5h30 | 12.48 euros, fees may apply | Paris Bercy Seine; Lyon Gerland |
| BlaBlaCar Bus | 5h35 to 6h20 | 13.99 euros for a 21:45 example | Paris Bercy-Seine; Lyon Gerland |
| Car-sharing (BlaBlaCar) | About 4h56 | From 24.69 euros | Meeting points set by each driver |
| Car | About 4h48 | Toll 41.30 euros, fuel extra | Autoroute A6 |
| Plane (Air France) | 1h05 to 1h10 in the air | Check with the airline | Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Lyon-Saint-Exupery |
Fares are "from" prices that depend on the date and the seats left. The distance by rail is 422 km. The 1h43 figure is the shortest time shown for the whole Paris and Lyon area, so check the exact departure and arrival stations of the train you pick.
Which train to take
TGV INOUI is SNCF's standard high-speed service. Around 30 trips a day are listed for the route, and the fastest ones take 1h43. Fares start at 16 euros one way in second class.
Ouigo is the low-cost version. The fare table lists 16 euros for an adult and 8 euros for a child, and the operator quotes 19 euros from city centre to city centre; the two figures cover different things, so compare them at checkout. The trip takes about 1h45. Some Ouigo trains leave from Marne-la-Vallee/CDG rather than from Paris Gare de Lyon, so read the departure station before you pay.
Frecciarossa is the Italian red train run by Trenitalia France. It leaves from Paris Gare de Lyon and takes about 2 hours, with up to 14 round trips a day between Paris and the Lyon area. Some of those trains stop at Lyon-Saint-Exupery rather than in the city, so pick one that ends at Part-Dieu or Perrache if you want the centre.
Which Lyon station to use
For a visit, choose Lyon Part-Dieu or Lyon Perrache, both in the city. Saint-Exupery is the airport station, outside it. If you are staying in Paris near the departure station, see hotels near Gare de Lyon.
A day trip from Paris to Lyon
Trenitalia's timetable, valid until 12 December 2026, lists a train leaving Paris at 9:30 and arriving at Lyon Part-Dieu at 11:26, and a return from Part-Dieu at 19:38 reaching Paris at 21:32, daily. That gives you roughly eight hours in Lyon. Check that seats are on sale for your date before you plan around them.
Coach and car-sharing
FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus both run to Lyon. The Paris stop is Bercy Seine, 210 quai de Bercy, and the Lyon stop is Gerland, 52 avenue Tony-Garnier; the Lyon stop moved to Gerland on 12 January 2026. FlixBus lists about 14 departures a day, the first at 00:30 and the last at 23:10, with a journey of at least 5h30. BlaBlaCar Bus services take between 5h35 and 6h20, and one example showed a 21:45 departure at 13.99 euros. Bus prices change by day, so treat these as examples, not fixed fares.
BlaBlaCar car-sharing matches you with private drivers, so there is no timetable: the average journey is 4h56 for 469 km, and about 54 trips a day are listed. The meeting points are in each listing.
By car or plane
The usual road route is the A6 through Auxerre, Beaune and Macon: 4h48 of driving, with a toll of 41.30 euros for a standard car at the date checked. Fuel and parking come on top. For the other direction, see train from Paris to Marseille or train from Paris to Nice.
Air France flies direct from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Lyon-Saint-Exupery in 1h05 to 1h10, several times a day. The flight time does not include getting to the airport and the check-in, so for most travellers the train is faster door to door.
Booking tips
- Book early: the cheapest fares go first on busy dates.
- The cheapest price shown is a "from" price, not a guarantee.
- Check the station names on each ticket: Paris Gare de Lyon, Marne-la-Vallee/CDG, Part-Dieu, Perrache and Saint-Exupery are different places.
- For an overview of the Paris stations, see train stations in Paris.
FAQ
How long is the train from Paris to Lyon?
About 1h43 to 1h45 for the fastest TGV INOUI and Ouigo trains, and about 2 hours with Frecciarossa.
How much is a train ticket from Paris to Lyon?
From 16 euros one way in second class on 14 November 2026, depending on the date and availability. Ouigo shows 8 euros for a child and Frecciarossa starts at 23 euros.
Which Paris station do trains to Lyon leave from?
Mostly Paris Gare de Lyon. Some Ouigo trains leave from Marne-la-Vallee/CDG.
Can I do Lyon as a day trip from Paris?
Yes. A 9:30 train reaches Part-Dieu at 11:26 and a 19:38 return is back in Paris at 21:32 on Trenitalia's schedule, valid until 12 December 2026.
Is the bus cheaper than the train?
Often, with fares from about 12.48 euros on FlixBus, but it takes at least 5h30. Early train fares from 16 euros are close.
How long does it take by car?
About 4h48 on the A6, plus 41.30 euros in tolls.
The Paris Authority editorial team, 14 November 2026.
