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Train from Freiburg to Lyon-- why so expensive? Any tips?

Posted by (Stuttgart) on

I just went to book train tickets from Freiburg to Lyon for some time during June/July and I was absolutely shocked to see that it would be somewhere in the ballpark of 270 euros per person, checking both through Deutsche Bahn and SNCF.

Is this normal and reasonable? I'm used to a five hour train trip in Germany on the ICE costing only 120 round trip, even if you book last-minute. Is it something about switching from the German to French train systems? I checked what it would cost to depart from Mülhausen, and those tickets cost about half as much. Flying out of Basel/Mülhausen/Freiburg would likewise cost only around 160 euros per person. I also have the option to drive, and as long as gas prices don't increase too much that should come out the cheapest, especially split between two people, but...if I'm going to be in transit for five hours, I'd really rather it be on a train, IMHO by far the most pleasant form of long-distance transport.

Posted by
11644 posts

Are you looking for first class or second class? I just went on the Deutsche Bahn website and saw some from Freiburg im Breisgau to Lyon Part Dieu for around €109 for early in July. But that was for 2nd class, which is how I usually travel on the German trains.

Edit: I tried the same trip on the SNCF website and got basically the same prices, so I'm not sure what you're doing, but I don't think you're on the right site. It would help to know what dates you are looking at. I input July 2 and the above figures are what I got.

Posted by
21 posts

Okay, I just checked again through the DB app and sure enough, prices are down to 75 euros per person one way. Weird! I wonder what happened earlier. Thanks, Mardee!

Posted by
11644 posts

That's good! I'm glad you found the price point you wanted!

Posted by
695 posts

FWIW, my wife and I are paying $310 to take the high-speed train from CDG to Lyon. For some reason, Lyon seems to be a pricey destination.

-- Mike Beebe

Posted by
36618 posts

there is a chance you had spelled a similar named but incorrect and all the way across the country name.There is a reason that Freiburg im Breisgau has that qualifier, so it is not confused with at least two similarly named places.

I'm used to the city with auto and railway museums in Alsace being called Mulhouse.

I'm glad it is working out for you.

Posted by
4 posts

I wonder if this is because people are worried about the oil crisis and so train seats are filling up.

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