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.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Oui.SNCF | * |
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.
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.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Oui.SNCF | * |
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
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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.