How to take the journey by train from Lyon to Marseille

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Lyon to Marseille by train

When taking a train from Lyon to Marseille there is a choice between:

(1) Taking TGV trains, which use the high speed line between the two cities.

Taking less frequent TER trains which are also slower because they don't use the high speed line.
But if the timings suit and you'll be booking tickets last minute at the station they will be cheaper.
Or if you will be travelling with a rail pass, you can avoid the rail pass reservation fees payable on the TGVs by taking these trains instead.

Routes you can take to go from Lyon to Marseille

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:

Looking for connections?

Journey guides for travel to Lyon Journey guides for travel from Marseille

Route Information

Option 1: taking the TGV trains

Station Guides

These large departure boards can be found inside both main entrances

Lyon Part-Dieu Rail Station Guide

Marseille St Charles station viewed from the terrace, a great area in which to wait for a train

Marseille-Saint-Charles Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

1hr 43min - 1hr 49min (approx)

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

Monday - Thursday = 12 x trains per day
Friday = 14 x trains
Saturday = 13 x trains
Sunday = 12 x trains

Is the journey from Lyon to Marseille-St Charles direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.

Is the journey scenic?
Not particularly, more than 70% of the journey is on a high-speed line

When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Marseille-St Charles from Lyon-Part Dieu on this journey option?
Before 08:15 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to travel on from the station in Marseille?
It is connected to the city centre and harbor area by the Marseille Metro - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in the neighborhood

When is the usual approximate latest departure from Lyon-Part Dieu to Marseille-St Charles on this journey option

Before 20:45 on Saturday
Before 22:10 on Monday to Friday and Sunday
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to get to the station in Lyon?
Lyon has a Metro and Part-Dieu station is on its line B, Part Dieu is also the main hub of the city's tram network.
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay by Lyon-Part Dieu.

Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these Lyon to Marseille-St Charles trains?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' to access a guide to how rail tickets are managed in France, plus step-by-step guides on how to make a booking.

How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for these Lyon to Marseille-St Charles trains?
Up to 6 months in advance, but it varies according to when / if SNCF has a promotion in place; see the Ticket Information.

What are the child ticket terms for these Lyon to Marseille-St Charles trains?
The adult rate is charged for all travellers aged 12 and over.
Children aged 4-11 pay half fare

Does the ticket for these Lyon to Marseille-St Charles trains include assigned seats?
Yes - See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train.

Do rail pass users need to book reservations for these Lyon to Marseille-St Charles trains?
Yes - See the rail pass guide for France for info on the multiple booking options.

Is catering available on the Lyon to Marseille-St Charles trains on this journey option?
Yes, there is a bar/bistro car.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information.

What else is good to know about French rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in France.

Travel Information

Final Destination: Marseille or Nice

Most trains also call at: Avignon TGV and/or Aix-en-Provence TGV

When taking a train from Lyon to Marseille there is a choice between:

(1) Taking these TGV trains, which use the high speed line between the two cities.

Taking the alternative TER trains, which are almost two hours slower because they don't use the high speed line.

If you will be buying tickets last minute at the station, those TER trains will be cheaper, but if you can book online in advance you can typically save by taking these TGV trains.

However, rail pass users should target those TER trains.

This is a direct journey

You will be travelling on one of these trains...

TGV InOui (Duplex) Train Guide

Journey Features

High Speed (partial journey)

Good to Know

The alternative Ouigo services:

When taking a train from Lyon to Marseille, you can now choose between taking these TGV InOui services, or the more basic and low-cost Ouigo services.

There are typically two Ouigo departures per day, which are usually scheduled to depart from Lyon-Part Dieu at 07:06 and 16:08

Two other Ouigo services per day depart from St Exupery station at Lyon Airport station, but in order to travel to that station from Part-Dieu, you'll need to take the Rhone-Express tram.

A typical vista of Provence from the high speed line

Crossing a river at more than 270 km/h

Look out for the Sommet Aqueduct, which is on the right after Avignon

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.

Travelling on French trains What you can expect on board the different types of French rail services and how the tickets can be used.

Travelling on French trains What you can expect on board the different types of French rail services and how the tickets can be ...

Tickets

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:

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.
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.

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 these TGV trains.

The price is dictated by demand per departure, so book ahead and try and be flexible re: your departure and arrival times, as trains leaving earlier or later can be cheaper.

There are also slower TER trains between Lyon and Marseilles, but the discounted 'Prems' tickets for these TGVs will be (much) cheaper, unless you're buying tickets no more than a few days before the travel date, OR on the day of travel.
So if you'll be buying last minute at the station, booking tickets for those alternative TER trains will be a much cheaper option.

Rail pass users can save money by taking those TER trains.

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How to take the journey by train from Lyon to Marseille

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Lyon to Marseille by train