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Genève / Geneva to Marseille by train
This direct train is now only available between early July and late August, when it isn't departing, it's possible to take an alternative option
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Routes
From Genève/Geneva-Cornavin to Marseille-Saint-Charles
Journey Summary
3hr 33min
Not Every Day
Travel Information
Final Destination: Marseille
This train no longer travels beyond Marseille to Nice
The train also calls at: Valence TGV and Avignon TGV
Aim to be at Geneve a minimum of 15 mins before departure, you may have to pass border control before boarding this train
Up to 1 x train per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 3 months ahead of the travel date.
In 2020, from July 4th to August 30th this train is scheduled to depart from Geneve at 07:42, so target that time when looking up this journey.
Oui.SNCF can refer to Geneve station as GENEVE CORNAVIN.
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.
However, if you have a rail pass you can avoid the comparatively expensive rail pass supplements/reservation fees on this direct Lyria train by taking a combination of two TER trains on routes via Lyon-Part Dieu or Valence-Ville.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trainline | from €29 | |
| Oui.SNCF | from €29 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
As referenced on the guide to changes in European train times for 2020, this service (the only direct train from Switzerland to the south of France) will now only be running between the first Monday in July and the final Sunday in August.
Outside of these dates the four best options for taking a train journey from Geneve to Marseille are:
(1) Take the daily 07:14 TER service from Geneve to Lyon Part-Dieu station and connect there for a TGV train on to Marseille, which is due to arrive there at 12:23.
The connecting time in Lyon will be a little over 1hr 10mins, but that should allow for contingency in the event of the TER train being delayed.
(2) On Mondays to Fridays and Sundays, take the 09:30 service from Geneve to Lyon, but the transfer time into the train on to Avignon from Lyon will be just 14 minutes.
Make that connection and you should arrive in Marseille at 13:23.
(3) Take the TER train to Valence that is usually scheduled to depart from Geneve daily at 10:00.
Leave this train at Valence TGV station and take the 13:52 TGV to Marseille, it's scheduled to arrive there at 15:06.
(4) Take that 10:00 departure to its final stop at Valence-Ville station.
It is scheduled to have an 18 minute connection into another TER train, which is due to arrive in Marseille at 16:12.
So this is the slowest option, but if will be travelling this way with a rail pass you'll avoid paying any reservation fees; and the journey will also be more scenic.
If you're in luck, your reserved seat will be in the upper deck on the left of the train (when facing the direction of travel) for valley views over the River Rhone between the Swiss border and Culoz.
Then between Culoz and Ambérieu the train will travel through a gorge through the foothills of the Alps and again this is best appreciated from the upper deck.
The train will then travel on the high speed line around 20 mins after departing Lyon, until it arrives in the outskirts of Marseille
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