The best way to travel from Paris to Lausanne and other Lake Geneva destinations such as Montreux and Vevey is on fast TGV Lyria high-speed trains with the cheapest tickets around €29 one-way.
Fast TGV Lyria trains travel six times daily between Paris Gare de Lyon in France and Lausanne train station in Switzerland in just less than four hours. These high-speed trains operated by the Swiss and French railways are the most convenient and fastest way to travel from Paris to Lausanne and other cities in the Lake Geneva region, including Genève, Montreux, and Vevey. Prices range from €29 to around €180 one-way in second class — book far in advance to get the best prices. Departing early morning or traveling mid-week often secures the best deals. Flixbus coaches are a less comfortable, slower alternative.
High-Speed TGV Lyria Trains from Paris to Lausanne
TGV Lyria high-speed trains connect Paris and Lausanne up to six times per day in less than four hours. These high-speed trains are faster than flying, and ticket prices are generally much cheaper, especially for early reservations.
The direct Paris to Lausanne trains depart from Paris Gare de Lyon and follow two different routes to Lausanne:
- Via the Jura Mountains: this is the faster route, taking around 3h40, with stops usually in Dijon, Dole, Mouchard, Frasne (change here for Neuchâtel and Bern), Vallorbe.
- Via Geneva train station (Genève-Cornavin) with stops at Bourg-en-Bresse and Bellegarde (and sometimes at Nurieux). This route takes just less than four hours.
The earliest trains depart shortly after 6:00 in the morning with the last trains of the day arriving shortly before midnight.
Eight trains per day connect Paris and Geneva but only a couple of these TGV trains continue all the way to Lausanne. However, Swiss trains from Geneva to Lausanne run at least twice per hour.
Although it is possible to board TGV Lyria trains up to a few minutes before departure, arrive at the stations early enough. Paris-Gare de Lyon is massive and confusing on a first visit. Although passengers are subject to customs checks when arriving or leaving Switzerland, this rarely causes delays.
How to Buy Cheap Train Tickets from Paris to Lausanne
The cheapest ticket prices for travel on TGV trains from Paris to Lake Geneva cities are usually €29 one-way for standard class (second class), €49 for premier (first class), and €179 for Permière Signature (Signature First Class). Prices vary with demand. Same-day travel can easily be €180 in second class and €230 in first class.
Try the following strategies to get cheap tickets for the TGV Lyria trains:
- Book early — ticket prices are cheapest soon after the tickets are released for sale. Tickets are usually released in mid-March for travel in the July to mid-December period and in late September for travel during the first half of the following year. Prices tend to increase closer to the departure date, especially in the two weeks prior to travel.
- Travel mid-week — best price deals are more likely on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
- Go double early — book not only well in advance but take the first train in the morning. The ca. 6:30 train often has the cheapest tickets but do compare, sometimes the 8.30 train is only €5 more expensive.
- Look for special deals — holidays and long weekends may make tickets cheaper (or more expensive depending on demand). The best deals on first-class tickets are often in holiday periods.
Classes of Travel and Seats on the Paris to Lausanne TGV Lyria Trains
Three classes of travel are available on the TGV Lyria trains between Paris and Geneva or Lausanne:
- Standard — basic second class, which means four seats, two on each side of the aisle. Access to the train bistro — great coffee but Swiss prices. Taking your own snack is sensible.
- Première — standard first class, which means three seats per row, either two or one on each side of the aisle. Access to the train bistro, and usually access to the Grand Voyageur lounge at Paris-Gare de Lyon.
- Première Signature — same seats at standard first class but also free drinks, a meal (or snack depending on the time and day of travel) served at seat, free drinks (including champagne), and access to the Grand Voyageur lounge at Paris-Gare de Lyon. Fully flexible tickets. (Sometimes referred to as Première Business.)
Seat reservations are obligatory on all TGV Lyria trains but reservation fees are already included in any ticket purchase.
The TGV Lyria trains use double-decker wagons in all classes. Upper deck seats have better views but the scenery on the Paris to Geneva route is not particularly interesting, especially compared to almost any other train ride inside Switzerland. The short ride from Lausanne to Geneva along Lac Léman is beautiful. Furthermore, truth be told, most Swiss intercity trains (especially luxury panorama trains) are more comfortable and feel more spacious than the TGV trains.
Slow Travel from Paris to Lausanne
Alternatives to the fast high-speed TGV Lyria trains between Paris and Lausanne (or Montreux) are always slower and not necessarily cheaper:
- Flying between Paris and Geneva makes only sense when connecting to a longer flight at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. Even when flying intercontinental to Paris, transferring to the train for Switzerland may be a good option. See How to Transfer between Charles de Gaulle and Orly airport — take the metro 14 route (or RER A from Châtelet-Les Halles) and get off at Gare de Lyon. Trains from Geneva Airport go directly to Lausanne and Montreux. (Sometimes an easy transfer at Geneva station may give more and faster options.)
- Intercity buses, such as the Flixbus coaches, take around seven hours between Paris and Lausanne. Buses may have good deals, especially at busy times when trains become expensive. However, don’t expect the same level of comfort.
- Regular trains — most ticket sellers won’t offer the option but it is of course possible to take non-high-speed trains between Paris and Lake Geneva. The logical alternative is the TER from Genève to Lyon and then continue by intercity or slow TER train to Paris. (Or even better, try to find a cheap TGV Inoui or OUIgo train from Lyon to Paris.) The travel time will be considerably longer than the direct trains but could be spectacularly cheap if taking advantage of all discount fares.
Where to Buy the Cheapest Paris to Geneva TGV Lyria Train Tickets
It is possible to buy TGV Lyria train tickets from any vendor selling French Railways or Swiss Railways train tickets.
- Trainline is easy to use for comparative price purposes and has an option to compare bus prices too.
- Raileurope claims the cheapest ticket for travel between Paris and Geneva is only €10.80. (Good luck finding or actually booking that train trip!)
Bearers of a French railways discount should stick to an applicable site such as SNCF Connect. Swiss Railways discount cards should book at SBB.
When traveling to final destinations in Switzerland other than Geneva or Lausanne, keep in mind that the price of the ticket from Paris to either of these two cities is usually the same. However, it is cheaper to travel from Lausanne to Montreux or Vevey on Swiss Railways than to do the same journey from Geneva.
Discount Offers on TGV Lyria Trains
TGV Lyria trains are often not very generous with discounts:
- Railpasses: While Interrail and Eurail are wonderful passes to use on Swiss Railways, special rules apply for the TGV Lyria trains, which makes the travel option via Lyon attractive, especially if staying over en route is an option. Currently, railpass users need to reserve a seat on TGV Lyria trains at around €29 standard and €49 premier — advanced-purchased regular discount tickets may be cheaper, but at least there are no restrictions on the number of seats available.
- Children: Babies under four travel for free but without a seat, or €19 (€29 prmière) for a seat. Children 4 to 11 get only a 30% discount but bearers of a Junior Travelcard pay CHF41 (CHF51 Première).
- Pets: Smaller pets in a closed pet carrier travel for €7. Larger dogs must be muzzled and on a lead the whole journey for €20. Guide dogs travel for free.
TGV Lyria trains from Paris also go directly to Geneva eight times daily, while up to six trains go to Lausanne (most via the faster Jura route).
In summer, a daily TGV Lyria train connects Lausanne (4h30) and Geneva (3h45) with Marseille (via Aix-en-Provence). This Mediterranean Line — Lausanne via Genève operates mostly in July and August.