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Lyon to Genève / Geneva by train
How to take the train from Lyon to Geneva / Genève
For most of the year taking a French TER train is the only option for a rail journey from Lyon to Geneve, but in the summer a daily Lyria (TGV) train also take this route.
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Routes
Option 1: taking the TER trains
Journey Summary
1hr 52 min (approx)
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Geneve
All trains also call at: Bellegarde; connect in Bellegarde for Evian-Les-Bains.
Mon-Fri = 10 x trains per day
Saturday = 9 x trains
Sunday = 8 x trains
Tickets
Book early and save: No (on these trains)
Tickets will cost the same price if purchased at the station immediately before departure.
Most of the direct trains from Lyon to Geneve are these TER trains - but there is also a daily TGV-Lyria train that departs Lyon at around 15:40.
Tickets for the TER trains will cost the same online as the do as they do at the station - so there is no need to book these in advance.
Travelling between July 1 - August 27
During this period, tickets for the alternative Lyria train may be cheaper than the TER trains, though typically only if you can book online at least 10 days ahead of your travel date.
If you book at the station on the day of travel then the Lyria train will be more expensive than these TER trains; and it won't be much faster
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| SNCF Connect | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
Note that there are no direct trains from Lyon to the station at Geneve-Aeroport, though simple connections are available at the main station in Geneve.
Between Ambérieu and Culoz the train will travel through a rocky valley in the foothills of the Alps, then between Culoz and the border with Switzerland, there are occasional views of the River Rhone on the right.
Option 2: taking the Lyria train (July and August)
Journey Summary
1hr 44min
Not Every Day
Travel Information
In 2023 this train is scheduled to be departing between July 1st to August 27th, so on other dates the only option to take the service of TER trains for a journey from Geneve to Lyon.
Final Destination: Geneve
The train also calls at: Bellegarde
1 x train per day
July 1st - Aug 27th
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 4 months ahead of the travel date
Most of the direct trains from Lyon to Geneve are the TER services - but this TGV-Lyria departs daily at around 15:30..
Tickets for the TER trains will cost the same online as the do as they do at the station, so there is no need to book these in advance.
But tickets for this Lyria train can be cheaper than the TER trains, though typically you'll need to book at least 10 days ahead for this to be the case.
If you book at the station on the day of travel, this Lyria train will be more expensive than the TER trains.
Rail pass users should avoid this train and take the TER trains.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| SNCF Connect | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
There is no high speed line between Lyon and Geneve, this train is faster than the more frequent TER services because it makes fewer station calls.
This train will take the same route as the TER trains
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