Lyon to Genève / Geneva by train

How to take the train from Lyon to Geneva by travelling on the slower, but more frequent TER services

Share

Routes

From Lyon Part-Dieu to Genève/Geneva-Cornavin

Tickets

Book early and save: No (on these trains)

Tickets will cost the same price if purchased at the station immediately before departure.

Most of the direct trains from Lyon to Geneve are these TER trains - but there is also a daily TGV-Lyria train that departs Lyon at around 15:34

Tickets for the TER trains will cost the same online as the do as they do at the station - so there is no need to book these in advance.

However, tickets for that Lyria train MAY be cheaper than the TER trains - if you can book online at least 10 days ahead of your travel date.

If you book at the station on the day of travel then the Lyria train will be more expensive than these TER trains.

If you're new to booking tickets for train journeys from France, we recommend taking a look at our guide to French train tickets - it should help you save time and money and confusion.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Oui.SNCF *

Oui.SNCF Guide

SNCF is the national rail operator in France and not so long ago it recently simplified both the range of tickets and the term and conditions of using them.
Therefore the cheapest tickets also become more flexible too.

Other improvements included a simple integration of travelling with bicycles and rail pass users being able to book reservations for national journeys, without paying booking fees.

Though a legacy of when SNCF sold international tickets under the Rail Europe branding is that OuiSNCF is available in multiple translations with the offerings on the site then tailored to international visitors to France.
However, some of the site's features, including the integration of mobility assistance into the booking path, are only available on the French language version.

Something else to look out for is that simplest way of travelling with tickets is to use the SNCF 'My Travel' phone app, so it's therefore often a good idea to book on the OuiSNCF mobile service.

On this journey

Journey Features

Scenic - YesMountain views

Good to Know

Final Destination: Geneve

Note that there are no direct trains from Lyon to the station at Geneve-Aeroport, though simple connection are available at the main station in Geneve.

All trains also call at: Bellegarde

Type of Scenery: River

Star Rating: *

Sit on the right of the train (when facing the direction of travel) for river valley views between Bellegarde and Geneve/Geneva.

Though when we last came this way, we have to admit the views weren't as memorable as we recalled.

A  mix of different types of train are used on this route, if you are in luck, your departure will be by a modern , comfortable train, with the large windows.

Between Ambérieu and Culoz the train will travel through a rocky valley in the foothills of the Alps, then between Culoz and the border with Switzerland, there are occasional views of the River Rhone on the right.

From Lyon Part-Dieu to Genève/Geneva-Cornavin

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: 4 months ahead of the travel date

Most of the direct trains from Lyon to Geneve are the TER services - but this TGV-Lyria departs daily at around 15:30..

Tickets for the TER trains will cost the same online as the do as they do at the station, so there is no need to book these in advance.

But tickets for this Lyria train can be cheaper than the TER trains - IF you can book at least 10 days ahead

If you book at the station on the day of travel -  this Lyria train will be more expensive than the TER trains.

Rail pass users should avoid this train and take the TER trains.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Oui.SNCF *

Oui.SNCF Guide

SNCF is the national rail operator in France and not so long ago it recently simplified both the range of tickets and the term and conditions of using them.
Therefore the cheapest tickets also become more flexible too.

Other improvements included a simple integration of travelling with bicycles and rail pass users being able to book reservations for national journeys, without paying booking fees.

Though a legacy of when SNCF sold international tickets under the Rail Europe branding is that OuiSNCF is available in multiple translations with the offerings on the site then tailored to international visitors to France.
However, some of the site's features, including the integration of mobility assistance into the booking path, are only available on the French language version.

Something else to look out for is that simplest way of travelling with tickets is to use the SNCF 'My Travel' phone app, so it's therefore often a good idea to book on the OuiSNCF mobile service.

On this journey

Journey Features

Scenic - NoMountain views

Good to Know

As referenced on the guide to changes in European train times for 2020, this service ( will only be running from July 4th to August 30th.

So on other dates take the service of TER trains for a journey from Geneve to Lyon.

Final Destination: Geneve

The train also calls at: Bellegarde

There is no high speed line between Lyon and Geneve, this train is faster than the more frequent TER services because it makes fewer station calls.

Type of Scenery: River

Star Rating: *

If your reserved seat is on the right of the train (when facing the direction of travel) there are river valley views between Bellegarde and Geneve/Geneva - though on our most recent trip, the views weren't as memorable as we recalled

As referenced on the guide to changes in European train times for 2020, this service ( will only be running from July 4th to August 30th.

So on other dates take the service of TER trains for a journey from Geneve to Lyon.

Final Destination: Geneve

The train also calls at: Bellegarde

There is no high speed line between Lyon and Geneve, this train is faster than the more frequent TER services because it makes fewer station calls.

Type of Scenery: River

Star Rating: *

If your reserved seat is on the right of the train (when facing the direction of travel) there are river valley views between Bellegarde and Geneve/Geneva - though on our most recent trip, the views weren't as memorable as we recalled

Take the stress out of your journey Everything planned to your specification, so sit back and relax… Try Concierge

Newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest travel news stories and to hear about what we've been working on for you.

See if there’s a unique journey guide for your trip, featuring info on the trains, tickets & stations.
Leaving From
Going To
ShowMeTheJourney

This is one of more than 1000 journey guides available on ShowMeTheJourney, which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.