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Lyon to Avignon by train
How to take the train from Lyon to Avignon
When taking a train from Lyon to Avignon there is a choice between:
(1) Taking TGV trains, which use the high speed line between the two cities and arrive at the aptly named, Avignon TGV station; which is located 6 km from the city, but it is connected to the edges of the city centre by local trains and buses.
- Taking less frequent TER trains which are around an hour slower because they don't use the high speed line.
But if your final destination is near the central area, those trains have the advantage of arriving at Avignon Centre station, which lives up to its name!
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Routes
Option 1: taking the TGV trains
Journey Summary
1hr 10min - 1hr 15min approx
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Marseille or Nice
Monday - Thursday = 12 x trains per day
Friday = 14 x trains
Saturday = 13 x trains
Sunday = 12 x trains
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date
Avignon has two stations:
(1) Avignon TGV, which is on the edge of the city, 6km from the centre; and
(2) Avignon Centre, which is adjacent to the city centre.
This matters when booking tickets.
Discounted tickets are placed on sale for these trains to Avignon TGV, but not for the alternative trains to Avignon Centre.
As a result these trains to Avignon TGV are not only faster, they can be cheaper too; if you’re booking far enough ahead, when the most heavily discounted ‘Prems’ tickets will still be available.
Booking to Avignon TGV station:
If you know that Avignon TGV is your optimum final destination, then when looking for tickets on SNCF Connect select ‘Avignon TGV’ as the arrival station AND tick the 'direct trains' box ( on The Trainline tick the 'fastest journeys' box).
This will filter out the options to Avignon Centre, thereby making the trains to Avignon TGV easier to find.
Booking to Avignon Centre station:
If you're booking ahead online and want to head to Avignon Centre, then when looking up tickets leave the direct trains box unticked and select ‘Avignon’ or ‘Avignon Centre’ as the arrival station.
You will then also see journeys that involve first taking a TGV to Avignon TGV station, and then a train from there to Avignon Centre station.
There are up to 2 x trains per hour from Avignon TGV to Avignon Centre.
Not all the arrivals at Avignon TGV will have good connections into these trains on to Avignon Centre - but when they do, the total journey time will be much faster than taking the direct TER train from Lyon to Avignon Centre; and it can be cheaper too!
If the connection between trains at Avignon TGV is more than 30 mins at the time you want to travel, it can be quicker to take a bus on to Avignon Centre - during the day 2 x buses per hour link the two stations.
Even if you resort to using this bus connection to complete your journey, the end-to-end journey is still usually faster than taking that alternative direct train from Lyon to Avignon Centre.
However, if will be buying walk-up tickets at the station on the day of travel, those alternative trains to Avignon Centre will be cheaper than taking these TGV trains.
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Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trainline | from €24 | |
| SNCF Connect | from €24 | |
| Download the SNCF Connect App | from €24 | |
| Save A Train | from €24 | |
| Happy rail | from €24 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
The high speed line from the north to the south of France by-passes Lyon, so trains heading south have to travel for around 15 mins on conventional tracks before they reach it.
Option 2: Taking the TER trains to Avignon Centre
Journey Summary
2hr 20 min - 2hr 45min (approx)
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Avignon Centre or Marseille
All trains also call at: Valence-Ville, Montélimar and Orange
Mon-Thurs = 9 x trains per day
Friday = 10 x trains
Saturday = 10 x trains
Sunday = 6 x trains
Tickets
Book early and save: No (not on these trains)
Tickets will cost the same price if purchased at the station immediately before departure.
If you will be buying tickets last minute at the station, these TER trains will be cheaper, but if you can book online in advance, particularly more than 10 days ahead, you will save by taking those TGV trains.
However, rail pass users should target these TER trains.
Booking tickets online:
If you're booking ahead online and want to head to Avignon Centre, then when looking up tickets, leave the direct trains box unticked AND select ‘Avignon’ or ‘Avignon Centre’ as the arrival station
You will then ALSO see journeys that involve first taking a TGV to Avignon TGV and then a TER train from there to Avignon Centre.
There are up to 2 x trains per hour from Avignon TGV to Avignon Centre.
Not all the arrivals at Avignon TGV will have good connections into the TER trains to Avignon Centre, but when they do the total journey time will be much faster than taking these direct TER trains from Lyon to Avignon Centre; and it can be cheaper too!
However, you are heading to Avignon Centre and will be buying tickets at the station on the day of travel, these direct trains will be cheaper, so the balance tips in their favour.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| SNCF Connect | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Good to Know
These TER trains, which are around an hour slower than the TGV trains because they don't use the high speed line.
But if your final destination is near the central area of Avignon, these trains have the advantage of arriving at Avignon Centre station - which lives up to its name!
The railway travels through the valley carved by the River Rhone, but the glimpses of the river itself are fleeting, though south of Montélimar comes the most spectacular part of the journey where the railway travels through a narrower rocky gorge.
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