Between Marseille and Avignon

Marseille to Lyon by train

How to take the train from Marseille to Lyon by travelling on the faster high speed TGV services

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Routes

From Marseille-Saint-Charles to Lyon Part-Dieu

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings usually open: 4 months ahead of the travel date - but bookings can open sooner when SNCF is running a promotion.

When looking for tickets on Oui.SNCF tick the 'direct trains' box - on Trainline tick the 'fastest journeys' box.

Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.

Our step by step guide to booking tickets on the PC version on Oui.SNCF (French national railways) website is available HERE.

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

Taking the 'alternative' Ouigo services:

When you up this journey on Oui.SNCF or Trainline, you will see alternative (much cheaper) Ouigo services.

But three* of these four daily Ouigo services don't arrive at Lyon Part-Dieu station - instead they call at St.Exupéry station at Lyon airport - which is linked to Part-Dieu station by the Rhonexpress tram service.

Though if:
(i) you don't mind having to make that transfer
(ii) putting up with the more basic service on the Ouigo train.
(iii) being at St.Charles station at least 30mins before the train departs...

...you can usually make a big saving by taking those Ouigo services.

*The Ouigo train which departs daily at 18:44 arrives at Perrache station in Lyon city centre, so if that timing suits, it can be a particularly good option on this route.

Taking the alternative TER services:

There are also slower TER trains between Marseille and Lyon, but the discounted 'Prems' tickets for these TGVs will be (much) cheaper -  unless you're buying tickets no more than a few days before the travel date, OR on the day of travel.

So if you'll be buying last minute at the station, booking tickets for those alternative TER trains will be a much cheaper option.

Rail pass users can save money by taking those TER trains.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Trainline from €20

Trainline Guide

Oui.SNCF from €20

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

High Speed

Good to Know

Final Destination: Various including Lyon, Bruxelles, Dijon, Strasbourg, Le Havre, Luxembourg and Geneve

When taking a train from Marseille to Lyon Part-Dieu station there is a choice between:

(1) Taking these TGV trains, which use the high speed line between the two cities.

  1. Taking the alternative TER trains, which are almost two hours slower because they don't use the high speed line.

If you will be buying tickets last minute at the station, those TER trains will be cheaper, but if you can book online in advance, particularly more than 10 days ahead, you will save by taking these TGV trains.

However, rail pass users should target those TER trains.

If you are new to travelling by train in France, our French Train Travel Guide is packed with info and useful links to help ensure you’ll have a stress-free trip.

Between Marseille and Avignon Between Marseille and Avignon
Between Avignon and Valence Between Avignon and Valence
Between Valence and Lyon Between Valence and Lyon

Final Destination: Various including Lyon, Bruxelles, Dijon, Strasbourg, Le Havre, Luxembourg and Geneve

When taking a train from Marseille to Lyon Part-Dieu station there is a choice between:

(1) Taking these TGV trains, which use the high speed line between the two cities.

  1. Taking the alternative TER trains, which are almost two hours slower because they don't use the high speed line.

If you will be buying tickets last minute at the station, those TER trains will be cheaper, but if you can book online in advance, particularly more than 10 days ahead, you will save by taking these TGV trains.

However, rail pass users should target those TER trains.

If you are new to travelling by train in France, our French Train Travel Guide is packed with info and useful links to help ensure you’ll have a stress-free trip.

From Marseille-Saint-Charles to Lyon Part-Dieu

Tickets

Book early and save: No

Tickets will cost the same price if purchased at the station immediately before departure on these TER trains.

These TER trains between Marseilles and Lyon are slower than the TGV InOui trains, and the limited numbers of discounted 'Prems' tickets for those alternative TGVs will be (much) cheaper.

So if you're booking ahead, it's likely that those TGV trains will be a better option.

However, if you'll be buying at the station on the day - these TER trains will be around €10 cheaper.

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

Rail pass users should take these TER trains.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Trainline *

Trainline Guide

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

Not High Speed

Good to Know

Final Destination: Lyon-Part Dieu

When taking a train from Marseille to Lyon there is a choice between:

(1) Taking alternative TGV trains, which use the high speed line between the two cities.

  1. Taking these TER trains, which are more than 90 mins slower because they stick to the older route and don't use the high speed line.

If you will be buying tickets last minute at the station, these TER trains will be cheaper, but if you can book online in advance, particularly more than 10 days ahead, you will save by taking those TGV trains.

However, rail pass users should target these TER trains.

If you are new to travelling by train in France, our French Train Travel Guide is packed with info and useful links to help ensure you’ll have a stress-free trip.

Final Destination: Lyon-Part Dieu

When taking a train from Marseille to Lyon there is a choice between:

(1) Taking alternative TGV trains, which use the high speed line between the two cities.

  1. Taking these TER trains, which are more than 90 mins slower because they stick to the older route and don't use the high speed line.

If you will be buying tickets last minute at the station, these TER trains will be cheaper, but if you can book online in advance, particularly more than 10 days ahead, you will save by taking those TGV trains.

However, rail pass users should target these TER trains.

If you are new to travelling by train in France, our French Train Travel Guide is packed with info and useful links to help ensure you’ll have a stress-free trip.

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