Note that these trains depart from the Gare De Lyon in Paris.
Final Destination: Annecy
Some trains also call at: Chambery
Mon - Thursday = 5 x trains per day
Friday =6 x trains
Saturday = 4 x trains
Sunday = 6 x trains
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.
If tickets aren't on sale yet for your travel date, you can sign up to the ticket availability notification service on Oui.SNCF.
When looking for tickets on Oui.SNCF tick the 'direct trains' box,
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 -more info is available on our guide to using rail passes in France.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Oui.SNCF | from €38 | |
Download the Oui.SNCF app | from €38 | |
Trainline | from €38 | |
Saveatrain | from €38 | |
Happyrail | from €38 | |
RailEurope | from €38 |
Trains take one of two routes on to Aix-les-Bains: via Bourg-en-Bresse or Chambery.
The journey via Bourge-en-Bresse is the quicker of the two routes by around 15 mins, but as there can be gaps of more than three hours between the departures from Paris, target the trains at the times which suit you and don't be overly concerned over which route it will be taking.
All trains from Paris to Aix-les-Bains take the high speed line south from Paris; for more than 1hr 40 min the train should be travelling at more than 270 km/h.
However, once they leave the high speed line, the trains take one of two routes on to Aix-les-Bains: via Bourg-en-Bresse or Chambery.
The journey via Bourge-en-Bresse is the quicker of the two routes by around 15 mins; and if your seat is on the left-hand side of the train, it's more scenic too.
After passing through the Amberieu the railway has been carved through a series of rocky valleys, best appreciated from the upper deck.
The highlight of the trip via Bourg-en-Bresse will be the final 10 - 15 mins, as the train travels along the spectacular shore of Lac Du Bourget, with the views over the water on the left-hand side.
So it's the route via Bourge-en-Bresse with the lake and mountain views.
Though as there can be gaps of more than three hours between the departures from Paris, target the trains at the times which suit you and don't be overly concerned over which route it will be taking.
The route via Bourg-en-Bresse isn't worth targeting for its scenery.
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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.