We are traveling from Lausanne to Paris by train. The SBB website shows the fastest route is a train to Geneva and transfer to a TGV rapid train from Geneva to Paris. There is a 22 minute window in Geneva to get from one train to another. Is that enough time? Will there be a passport control problem in Geneva, or will that occur when we arrive in Paris? Appreciate any advice.
Posted by
Chicago
1490 posts
It should be plenty of time. You might want to become familiar with the real-time
tracking options to be able to determine the track for your connecting train
before your originating train enters the station.
Someone else with more knowledge can hopefully comment, but I don't think
you will have a passport issue in Geneva - your train to Paris may leave from
the French sector of the station, but I don't believe there is a mandatory
passport check.
Posted by
Wengen
4216 posts
22 minutes is plenty of time. You'll wish it was less.
Changing trains involves just getting of one train, and on another.
You do pass through a customs post but unless the border guards have gotten a tip that you are carrying drugs you will just walk through. There is normally no passport control as this is an internal Schengen border.
Having passport control upon arrival in Paris would be pointless, as this train also picks up (and sets down) passengers at other stations en route.
There are normally direct trains from Lausane to Paris though. Why not take one of those?
Posted by
Washington, DC
126 posts
Agreed with WengenK: that's a long layover.
It's long enough to grab some food at the Migros, or a snack from one of the many restaurants. Maybe do some electronics shopping. That's a luxuriously long transfer - though you will want to ensure that the TGV is leaving on time (shouldn't really be an issue as this is an origin point for that route, but still...).
Geneva Cointrin station is quite compact, with easy transfer between tracks. I've made 3 minute transfers there with relative ease (though I can certainly hustle).
And passport control won't be an issue as you're in the Schengen Zone.