Genève / Geneva to Avignon by train

Final Destination: Marseille

This train no longer travels beyond Marseille to Nice

The train also calls at: Lyon-Part Dieu and Valence TGV

It is the only direct train between Switzerland and the south of France.

As referenced on the guide to changes in European train times for 2020 this service will now only be scheduled to depart from late June to around mid-August.

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings usually open: 4 months ahead of the travel date

In 2024 from June 29th to Augus 18th this train is scheduled to depart from Geneve at 08:41, so target that time when looking up this journey

SNCF Connect can refer to Geneve station as Geneve-Cornavin.

Seats will automatically be assigned when booking tickets for this journey, but rail pass users will need to be pay a reservation fee prior to boarding.

However, if you have a rail pass you can avoid the comparatively expensive rail pass supplements/reservation fees on this direct Lyria train by taking TER trains from Geneve to Lyon and then on from Lyon to Avignon Centre station (which is closer to the town)

When the direct train from Geneva to Avignon isn't available, or if it's timings won't suit, the fastest option is to make a transfer in Lyon-Part Dieu station between TER trains from Geneve and TGV trains on to Avignon.
The journeys with an end-to-end time of between 3hr 40 - 3hr 55min typically have a comfortable transfer time between trains of around 45mins.
Usually all but two of the end-to-end journeys per day fall within this pattern.

Arriving in Avignon

Avignon TGV station is 6km from the city centre.
It is now linked to Avignon Centre station by up to 2 x TER trains per hour, but if you have to wait more than 30 mins for one of these trains, it's worth checking out the times of the buses.

If you do subsequently opt to take the train between Avignon TGV and Avignon Centre stations, you will need to purchase a ticket for it on arrival at Avignon TGV.

Seats cannot be reserved on the train from Geneve to Lyon, but reservations are mandatory and therefore included when booking tickets, on the TGV train on from Lyon to Avignon.

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date - but bookings can open sooner when SNCF is running a promotion.

When booking 2nd class tickets only one type of ticket will be available per departure, discounted 'Prems' tickets or 'Seconde' tickets; though the price of Seconde tickets are also typically cheaper when they are first placed on sale.
When booking 1st class tickets there will be a choice of Premiere tickets and Business Premiere tickets.

The two key T&Cs of booking Prems, Seconde, or Premiere tickets are:

1. Up until two days prior to departure, these types of tickets can be refunded for no additional charge (big tick), but a €15 fee will be payable for making a refund in the two days prior to departure.
2. It's also possible to exchange tickets to an alternative departure on the same journey, but you will have to pay any difference in price between the cost you paid and the cost at the time of the exchange.

Though if you book Business Premiere tickets, the key T&Cs are that tickets can be exchanged and refunded free of charge up to 30 minutes after departure, so if you get to the station just too late to miss the train you were originally booked on to, you won't lose out financially.

Selecting the station when booking:

Avignon has two stations and this matters when booking tickets:

(1) Avignon TGV, which is on the edge of the city and served by these trains

(2) Avignon Centre, which lives up to its name as it is adjacent to the city centre; and is served by less frequent direct trains from Paris.

Travelling to Avignon TGV station:

If you know that Avignon TGV is your optimum final destination, then when looking for tickets on SNCF select it as a specific station; this should filter out the options to Avignon Centre making these trains to Avignon TGV easier to find.

Travelling to Avignon city centre:

If your final destination is in Avignon city centre, it’s worthwhile comparing journey and ticket options to both Avignon TGV and Avignon Centre stations.
Select Avignon Centre as the 'To' station on SNCF Connect.

However, IF the waiting time between trains at Avignon TGV station is more than 30 mins, making the journey to Avignon town centre by bus may be faster.

So in those instances (a connecting time of more than 30 mins) book the Geneve to Avignon TGV journey online; and then on arrival at Avignon station visit its Accueil/Information desk and enquire whether the train or bus, will be the best option for reaching the city centre.
Then if need be book tickets for the train on to Avignon Centre on arrival at Avignon TGV station.

This journey option has an end-to-end journey time which is more than an hour longer than when taking the TGV from Lyon to Avignon, but it can be worth considering for these two reasons:

1. You will arrive into Avignon city centre.
2. There's no need to book in advance when taking this combination of TER trains.

This journey, which typically departs Geneve at around 09:45, is the fastest option when taking a combination of 2 x TER trains, but the end-to-end journey time is dependent on making a non-guaranteed connection between trains in Valence of around 20mins.
If need be the subsequent train on to Avignon will depart Valence around 55 mins later.

Book in advance and save: No

Though when booking ahead of the travel date, the combination of TER + TGV trains, and the direct train, can be cheaper.

This journey option is slowest when taking the train from Geneve to Avigon, but it can be worth considering for these reasons:

1. You will arrive into Avignon city centre.
2. There's no need to book in advance when taking this combination of TER trains.
3. There are more departures to choose from than the option 3 route via Valence#
4. Users of Eurail and InterRail passes will save at at least €10.

Though when booking ahead of the travel date, the combination of TER + TGV trains, and the direct train, can be cheaper.