How to take a train journey from Paris to Perpignan

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Paris to Perpignan by train

Routes you can take to go from Paris to Perpignan

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:

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Journey guides for travel to Paris

Route Information

Station Guides

Paris Gare de Lyon / Paris Lyon Rail Station Guide

Image coming soon...

Perpignan Guide Coming soon...

Travel Time (approx)

from 4h59min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

Mon - Thurs: 6 x trains per day
Friday: 7 x trains
Sat - Sun: 6 x trains per day

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

Is the journey scenic?
There are some intermittent sea views to be experienced south of Montpellier

What other tourist locations are along the route from Paris to Perpignan?
Nimes and Montpellier and Beziers and Narbonne

When is the usual approximate earliest arrival in Perpignan from Paris Gare De Lyon on this journey option?
Around midday
Source = European Rail Timetable

When is the usual approximate latest departure from Paris Gare De Lyon to Perpignan on this journey option

Around 17:40 on Monday to Thursday and Sat / Sun
Around 18:55 on Friday (and summer Sundays)
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to get to the station in Paris?
The Gare De Lyon is served by two Metro lines - line 14 is now directly linked to Orly Airport. The station also has rail links from the Gare Du Nord and the La Défense business district.
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay by the Gare De Lyon.

Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these Paris to Perpignan 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 Paris to Perpignan trains?
Up to 4 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 Paris to Perpignan 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 Paris to Nimes 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 Paris to Perpignan trains?
Yes - See the rail pass guide for France for info on the multiple booking options.

Is catering available on the Paris to Perpignan 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

Note that these trains to Perpignan depart from the Gare De Lyon in Paris.

Final Destination: Barcelone or Perpignan.

All trains also call at: Narbonne

Most trains also call at: Beziers

The fastest trains from Paris to Perpignan now take an extension of the high speed line, which by-passes Nimes and Montpellier.
As a result around 15 mins have been shaved off the journey time if you take these trains, providing Perpignan with its fastest ever trains from Paris.

This is a direct journey

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

TGV InOui (Duplex) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - NoHigh Speed (partial journey)

Good to Know

Some of the trains from Paris to Narbonne are the 'RENFE-SNCF' services heading to Barcelona, but the TGV Duplex trains used for these departures are no different in terms of journey experience and on-board facliities to the trains which only operate in France.

From the left of the train between Narbonne and Perpignan #1

From the left of the train between Narbonne and Perpignan #2

This is a journey of three distinct parts.

1: Between the outskirts of Paris and Nimes or Sete the trains travel on the high speed line.

From Sete to Perpignan the trains follow the coast, but don't expect incredible seascapes, the sea is often just out of sight on the right, but you're more likely to see it from the upper deck

Though what makes the part of the journey between Sete and Perpignan unusual is that between these two towns there are often sea lagoons which can be seen from the left-hand side of the train, particularly south of Narbonne when the railway seems to skim across the surface of the water

As can be seen in the video, what's unusual and rather fabulous about this part of the journey, as the train leaves Narbonne behind, is that the 'sea' can be seen from both sides of the 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.

Expect to pay more for this journey between the beginning of June and mid-September, particularly if you will be travelling on a Friday or Saturday, as the most heavily discounted tickets inevitably sell out faster at times of particularly high demand.

SNCF Connect will indicate the cheapest prices per day.

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