We're travelling from Paris to Lyon and staying there for a couple of days. What is the best way to get to Lyon? Should we take another flight from CDG once arriving in Paris or should we take a train? This is my first time in France (10 day trip) and really want to make the most of it but not be exhausted from all the travelling. After Lyon our stops are Avignon > Marseille > Biarritz > San Sebastian > Paris. Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks
Paris to Lyon by train is about 2 hours, no need to even think of flying.
If you are flying a Sky Team airline--Delta, Air France, KLM-- you should be able to add on the CDG-Lyon ticket for peanuts. That would save you the trip into Paris to catch the high-speed train. Whenever Paris isn't the final destination, it's worth checking into adding the leg onto the ticket.
Edit: Air France may put you on the TGV Sam mentions as part of your air ticket, so worth checking. If so, it can be advantageous. I once made the mistake of buying a CDG-Brussels tickets, when I could have had the same included in my air ticket for much less, with luggage transferred for me. Air France has its own waiting room in the CDG train station.
There is a direct TGV from the airport to Lyon Part Dieu (main station) every 2 hours (with an oddball exception in the afternoon).
If you want to fly into CDG and then immediately go to Lyon, the first thing to do is to see if you can get a second flight leg added to your transatlantic ticket so that it will be the airline's responsibility if the transatlantic flight is delayed. Otherwise you risk being out on the cost of your air or rail ticket if you miss it.
Otherwise, I would check schedules and see whether a CDG-Lyon flight or a direct CDG-Lyon TGV is more convenient for your landing time. Travelling from Saint-Exupery to central Lyon at the end of your flight is probably easier than getting from CDG to central Paris and worrying that you'll miss a train.
I know you asked about getting to Lyon, but I'm surprised that no one has jumped in to warn you that you are trying to cram in too many destinations. Unless I have misinterpreted what you wrote, you have 6 cities in 10 days. To start, I suggest you cut out Biarritz and San Sebastian (not in France, btw). I like Lyon, but imo it's not top tier among France's multitude of wonderful destinations. Some like Marseille; but, again, it's not top tier. A reasonable time allotment for 10 days might be Paris 6, and Avignon 4, or 5 and 5. There are lots of day trips possible from either base, and you wouldn't waste much time traveling and resettling.
