It's a straightforward journey by train from the French capital to this beautiful lakeside resort city, thanks to the direct service of TGV trains.
Note that these trains depart from the Gare De Lyon in Paris.
Final Destination: Annecy
Some trains also call at: Chambery
Mon - Friday = 6 x trains
Saturday = 4 x trains
Sunday = up to 7 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 - on Trainline tick the 'fastest journeys' box.
Seats will automatically be assigned when booking tickets for this journey.
Rail Pass Users:
If you will be travelling with an InterRail or Eurail pass, you will need to be pay a reservation fee prior to boarding these TGV trains -more info is available on our guide to using rail passes in France.
If you're absolutely determined to avoid the rail pass reservation the only remotely viable alternative is
(1) Take the first TER train of the day from Paris to Lyon
(2) 'Connect' in Lyon for another TER train on to Annecy
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Oui.SNCF | from €38 | |
Download the Oui.SNCF app | from €38 | |
Saveatrain | from €38 | |
Happyrail | from €38 | |
Trainline | from €38 | |
RailEurope | from €38 |
These trains between Paris and Annecy are often joined to other trains for much of the journey.
The trains are than separated at Aix-Les-Bains, Chambery or Bellegarde.
Don't worry about boarding the right part of the train, your reserved seat will be in the part of the train heading to Annecy.
The part of the train heading to Annecy will have its own train number, which will be printed on your ticket(s) along with the coach and seat numbers.
However, you MAY not see Annecy listed on some departure screens.
If you do see a TGV train service, that is departing at exactly the same time as the train to Annecy; then it' almost certain that is information will ALSO be for your departure..
Check at the Accueil (Information desk) if you're not sure.
This is a journey of two halves.
The first part of the journey is on the high speed line between Paris and near Lyon.
The second part of the journey is more scenic, particularly when trains run along the shore of the spectacular Lac du Bourget north of Aix-Les-Bains.
The trains take two different routes between the high speed line and Annecy:
(1) via Bourg-en-Bresse
(2) via Chambery
though it makes little difference to the journey times and the Lac Du Bourget can also be seen on either route.
The best of the views are on the left of trains that travel via Chambery and on the right on the trains which travel via Bourg-en-Bresse.
The trains which travel via Bourg-en-Bresse also reverse direction on departure from Aix-les-Bains.
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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.