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Paris to Annecy by train
How to travel from Paris to Annecy by train
It's a straightforward journey by train from the French capital to this beautiful lakeside resort city, thanks to the direct service of TGV trains.
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Routes
From Paris Gare de Lyon/Paris Lyon to Annecy
Journey Summary
3hr 40min - 3hr 48 min
Daily
Travel Information
Note that these trains depart from the Gare De Lyon in Paris.
Final Destination: Annecy
All trains also call at: Chambery and Aix-Les-Bains
Mon - Thursday = 5 x trains per day
Friday =6 x trains
Saturday = 5 x trains
Sunday = 4 x trains
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.
Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.
Seats will automatically be assigned when booking tickets for this journey.
Rail Pass Users:
If you will be travelling with an InterRail or Eurail pass, you will need to be pay a reservation fee prior to boarding these TGV trains -more info is available on our guide to using rail passes in France.
If you're absolutely determined to avoid the rail pass reservation the only remotely viable alternative is
(1) Take the first TER train of the day from Paris to Lyon
(2) 'Connect' in Lyon for another TER train on to Annecy
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| SNCF Connect | from €38 | |
| Download the SNCF Connect App | from €38 | |
| Save A Train | from €38 | |
| Happy rail | from €38 | |
| Trainline | from €38 | |
| Rail Europe | from €38 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
These trains between Paris and Annecy are often joined to other trains for much of the journey.
The trains are than separated at Aix-Les-Bains, Chambery or Bellegarde.
Don't worry about boarding the right part of the train, your reserved seat will be in the part of the train heading to Annecy.
The part of the train heading to Annecy will have its own train number, which will be printed on your ticket(s) along with the coach and seat numbers.
However, you MAY not see Annecy listed on some departure screens.
If you do see a TGV train service, that is departing at exactly the same time as the train to Annecy; then it' almost certain that is information will ALSO be for your departure..
Check at the Accueil (Information desk) if you're not sure.
This is a journey of two halves.
The first part of the journey is on the high speed line between Paris and near Lyon.
The second part of the journey is more scenic, particularly when trains run along the shore of the spectacular Lac du Bourget north of Aix-Les-Bains.
The trains take two different routes between the high speed line and Annecy:
(1) via Bourg-en-Bresse
(2) via Chambery
though it makes little difference to the journey times and the Lac Du Bourget can also be seen on either route.
The best of the views are on the left of trains that travel via Chambery and on the right on the trains which travel via Bourg-en-Bresse.
The trains which travel via Bourg-en-Bresse also reverse direction on departure from Aix-les-Bains.
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