How to take the train from Marseille to Lyon

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Marseille to Lyon by train

When taking a train from Marseille to central Lyon 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 those TER trains instead.

Routes you can take to go from Marseille to Lyon

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 Marseille Journey guides for travel from Lyon

Route Information

Option 1: taking the TGV trains

Station Guides

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

Marseille-Saint-Charles Rail Station Guide

These large departure boards can be found inside both main entrances

Lyon Part-Dieu Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

1hr 37min - 1hr 50min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

Mon-Fri: 13 x trains per day
Sunday: 14 x trains
Sunday: 13 x trains

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

Is the journey scenic?
Not particularly, though more than 95% of the journey is on a high speed line

What other tourist locations are along the route from Marseille to Lyon?
Avignon and Valence

When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Lyon-Part Dieu from Marseille-St Charles on this journey option?

Before 08:25 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy it to travel on from the the station in Lyon?
Lyon-Part Dieu is served by two metro lines - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighborhood

When is the approximate latest departure from Marseille-St Charles to Lyon-Part Dieu?

Before 19:30 outside summer
Before 20:20 in July and August
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to get to the station in Marseille?
Marseille St-Charles is served by both of the Metro lines in Marseille, lines A and B.
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay by Marseille-St Charles

Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these Marseille to Lyon trains?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.

How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for these Marseille to Lyon trains?
Up to 4 months in advance

What are the child ticket terms for these Marseille to Lyon 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 Marseille to Lyon 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 Marseille to Lyon trains?
Yes; see the rail pass reservation guide for the options on how to book.

Is catering available on the Marseille to Lyon trains?
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: Various including Lyon, Bruxelles, Dijon, Strasbourg, Le Havre, Luxembourg and Geneve

When taking a train from Marseille to Lyon Part-Dieu station there is a choice between:

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, particularly more than 10 days ahead, you will 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 (total journey)

Good to Know

Taking the 'alternative' Ouigo services:

When you up this journey on Oui.SNCF or Trainline, you will see alternative (much cheaper) Ouigo services.

But three* of these four daily Ouigo services don't arrive at Lyon Part-Dieu station - instead they call at St.Exupéry station at Lyon airport; which is linked to Part-Dieu station by the Rhonexpress tram service.

Though if...

you don't mind having to make that transfer
putting up with the more basic service on the Ouigo train.
being at St.Charles station at least 30mins before the train departs
...you can usually make a big saving by taking those Ouigo services.

*The Ouigo train which departs daily at 18:44 arrives at Perrache station in Lyon city centre, so if that timing suits, it can be a particularly good option on this route.

Between Marseille and Avignon

Between Avignon and Valence

Between Valence and Lyon

The high speed line by-passes the city of Lyon, so the train will come off it around 15 -20mins before it arrives at Part-Dieu station.

Le viaduc de Chamborigaud from a Nimes - Clermont Ferrand train

The general guide to French rail travel Discover what's good to know about riding the trains, using the major stations, booking tickets and travelling with Eurail and InterRail passes.

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings usually open: up to 4 months ahead of the travel date - see the ticket guide for more info.

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

Exchanges and refunds are free up to 7 days before departure.
If you want to amend your booking in the 6 days before departure you must pay an amendment fee of €19 per person per person for an exchange or a refund.
In the 30 minutes before departure, refunds cannot be requested and exchanges are only allowed for the same journey later that day. The same amendment fees apply to the exchange.
If you arrive at a station too late to make a train you were booked on to, you won't get your money back on your original purchase and will have to book an entirely new ticket, which will be at the most expensive last minute price.

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.

Taking the alternative TER services:

There are also slower TER trains between Marseille and Lyon, but the discounted 'Prems' tickets for these InOui services 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 train from Marseille to Lyon

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Marseille to Lyon by train