TGV Lyria trains provide the fastest transportation from Paris in France to Genève and Lausanne on Lake Geneva in Switzerland. Book early for the cheapest tickets and best deals.
The fastest and most comfortable way to travel from Paris in France to Genève and Lausanne on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland is by high-speed TGV Lyria trains. TGV trains take just over three hours from Paris to Geneva and just half an hour longer to Lausanne. Early reservations may lead to bargain deals and cheap tickets at RailEurope (US / World) or the very easy-to-use Trainline.
Fast TGV Lyria Trains from Paris to Geneva and Lausanne
TGV Lyria trains are high-speed trains operated by French Railways (SNCF) and Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF). These comfortable, luxurious TGV trains provide the most relaxing and fastest way to travel from Paris to Lake Geneva.
TGV Lyria trains connect Paris with the Lake Geneva region in Switzerland on two routes: Paris-Gare de Lyon to Genève-Cornavin station and Paris-Gare de Lyon to Lausanne station. Direct TGV trains to Neuchatel and Bern are no longer available but on the northern route, TGV Lyria trains reach Basel in three hours and Zurich in four from Paris.
TGV Lyria Trains from Paris-Gare de Lyon to Geneva-Cornavin
Daily, eight TGV Lyria trains connect Paris-Gare de Lyon and Geneva-Cornavin station. Traveling times are usually just over three hours.
All TGV trains on the Paris to Geneva routing stop in Bellegarde (Ain) and in Bourg-en-Bresse, while some also call at Nurieux. TGV trains do not stop at Geneva Airport (GVA).
The first TGV Lyria train leaves Geneva around 6 am and the last train of the day just after 8 pm. The early train from Paris is just after 6 am and the last train to Geneva leaves Paris just after 7 pm.
TGV Lyria Trains from Paris-Gare de Lyon to Lausanne
Usually, six TGV Lyria trains connect Paris-Gare de Lyon and Lausanne in Switzerland. Traveling time is around 3h40 or just less than four hours for trains via Geneva.
TGV Lyria trains from Paris to Lausanne follow two routes: either as an extension on the Geneva train, or on a different, faster route with stops en route in Dijon, Dole, and Frasne in France before crossing the Jura Mountains to Vallorbe in Switzerland. This routing is around half an hour faster than TGV trains that stop in Geneva.
The first TGV Lyria train leaves Paris for Lausanne just after 6 am and the last train of the day departs just before 6 pm. The first TGV Lyria train departs from Lausanne just after 7 am and the last train of the day leaves for Paris just before 8 pm.
Buying 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.
Ticket Prices for TGV Lyria Trains from Paris to Geneva and Lausanne
Ticket prices for a second-class trip from either Geneva or Lausanne to Paris range from around €29 to €180 one way. Early reservations usually ensure the best savings. All TGV tickets come with seat reservations, which are always compulsory even when using a rail pass. On holiday weekends, seats do sell out early.
Standard / normal one-way fares from Genève or Lausanne to Paris are around €180 in second class (€230 first class). However, several savings deals can vastly reduce the ticket prices. Trainline is easy to use and makes it easy to compare prices for travel on different trains (or even slow buses) on the same day.
Special deals are often advertised and especially common on weekends when fewer business travelers use the trains. It is often possible to upgrade to First Class for a fraction of the regular price.
TGV Lyria trains are generally faster for city-center to city-center travel than flying from Paris to Geneva and definitely faster than flying to Geneva and traveling to Lausanne by train.
Check-in times for TGV Lyria trains are around 2 minutes before departure. Allow more time at Geneva station, where a customs check may be made. (On the Lausanne-Paris routing, customs are finalized onboard.) In Paris, keep in mind that Gare de Lyon is both large and confusing when unfamiliar with this busy travel hub.
The Lake Geneva region has very good railway links on the northern shore of Lac Léman. Frequent train connections are available from both Geneva and Lausanne to many other towns in the region.