Nice-Lyon. Train or fly?

I've been to both towns but have not flown. The flight takes 55 minutes not counting going to and from the airport the train 4 hours and 30 minutes not counting going to and from the train station. I see a price on the train as low as 13 euros on the Ouigo low cost high speed train service and a flight costing $77 and up depending on when you would book the ticket

You can also choose to travelling with FlixBus.
Depending on when you want to leave or the prices offered, it might also be a good option.
You can download ouigo Ouibus and FlixBus apps.
Trainline app also provide other train options with prices.

Sounds like the train would be a bit faster, centre-ville a centre-ville.

Train is four to four and a half hours without transfers. Although it is the same equipment all the way, the "fast" part of the route doesn't kick in until Marseille due to poorer tracks Nice-Marseille. Tickets on sale approximately 90 days in advance and much cheaper than last-minute.
https://en.oui.sncf/en/

To compare flying, www.skyscanner.com covers budget airlines.

Yes, take the train. Also because it starts with a slightly scenic route along the coast.

Is it a big deal to change trains in Marseille? There seems to be limited direct Nice-Lyon trains (in early test run of booking), with one departing at 0700 and the other not until much later in the day. Everything in between seems to involve a change of trains in Marseille which makes me a little nervous.
Thanks!!

Changing trains is rarely a big problem. That is what trains are designed to be, an interconnecting network. The direct trains go via Marseille anyway and stop there, so it is not any greater distance changing trains.

You can now get to the Nice airport from the city by tram (streetcar) and the Lyon airport to the city can also be done by train - about 16 euros as I recall -it's a private company and you buy the ticket on the platform.

The Lyon airport is enormous - much bigger than needed, so you'll do a lot of walking.

Take the train - both stations are right in town and door to door it's about as fast (or faster) - and more fun.

French trains are nice -

My personal choice would be the train. I leave the flying to routes that are 6 or more hours on the train. That's the only time the hassle of getting to and from airports and messing with security lines and waits are worth it - at least for me.

Changing trains is easy. Every platform has a number. As soon as you step down from the train with your luggage look for a large yellow departures poster (Départs) and find the time and destination of your train (and train number which is on your ticket). In the right hand column is the platform that train leaves from. Go to that platform - if it is relatively soon - and get on the train. The number will be on the departure board for that platform and for TGVs the train number and destination and car number is next to each door. If you are lucky when you get off the train there will be a computer display with the numbers and platforms of the next half dozen or trains and it will be easier than reading the yellow notice.

If it is some time to your train the platform may not be announced yet. Go to one of the shops or fast food stands and hang around until the time of your train approaches, and when they announce on the screen the platform of your train go there.

How much time do you have between trains?

Thanks Nigel! I’m sure I’ll be just fine - I mean if I was able to navigate Schipoll Airport with no Dutch, I’ll be able to navigate a train station in France with a smattering of cheesy French. I’ve not booked the tix yet as reservations aren’t open until 3 mo beforehand - so March is probably the earliest I’ll be able to book. I like the idea of a train trip, just not the super early morning start if I wanted a direct route. 😆 Thanks again for your descriptions of what to look for when changing trains.