Hi. I'm using the rome ro rio site which I've used before but am confused by all the options. Need to go from Paris to Lyon. I see many options with different companies( I think) which all seem to be the about the same duration. Which is the high speed train? Tgv? Or should I just pick one with best times? Also which is the stop closest to the cruise ship docks.
I usually don't have this much trouble so thanks
Posted by
Green Bay
20090 posts
Stop using Rome2Rio and go to https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/tgv
There is only one train company, SNCF, They have different names for trains with different levels of service, that's all.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
322 posts
So generally in France, it’s going to take you to the train station and then you’re going to have to take local transport to the cruise port
. You’re probably going to have luggage so I would avoid the inOui trains as they have luggage restrictions. And my understanding is they do enforce them because it’s kind of like flying a budget airline carrier. I’ve only done TGV and I’ve never seen them enforce anything on luggage.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7360 posts
The TGV is the high-speed train in France. But is there an itinerary with a better price, and/or timing schedule, and/or a more convenient departure station in Paris? Fastest isn’t necessarily always the best, if there are other factors in your decision.
Posted by
Paris
9572 posts
I don't think there are slow-speed trains between Paris and Lyon any more.
I guess you could knit together a slow-speed-train itinerary by buying separate TER tickets from Paris to somewhere in Burgundy, then from there on to Lyon, but it never occurred to me.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6504 posts
The website Sam provided will take care of it for you. Trains are frequent, and it's about two hours from Gare de Lyon (in Paris) to either of the stations in Lyon (Part-Dieu or Perrache). You'll be reserving your seat(s) when you buy your ticket. The sooner you buy, the less it will cost. I don't know where the cruise ships dock, but your cruise ticket should tell you. Take a taxi from either Lyon station to the dock.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3161 posts
If I am not mistaken the Oui trains use Lyon-Saint-Exupéry which is the station near the airport. It is about 20 miles from the station to the port area in Lyon. You want to take the TGV to Lyon Part-Dieu which is the “in town” station and only 2 miles from the docks. If you are landing at CDG and have to get to Lyon that day, there are direct TGV trains from CDG.
Posted by
Wengen
1651 posts
You’re probably going to have luggage so I would avoid the inOui trains as they have luggage restrictions
It's the Ouigo trains that have restrictions. On the inOui trains your are fine. (And can someone please kick the person at SNCF who came up with this idea?)
There are two companies currently running on this route. SNCF and Trenitalia. Have a look at both. Trenitalia is often cheaper, and has (in my opinion) nicer trains.
Any other name you may have come across (Omio, Rome 2 Rio, Trainline, Rail Europe) is just a ticket reseller.
Posted by
New York
1203 posts
Sent you a pm
Ann
Posted by
2 posts
Take Frecciarossa 1000 from Paris Gare de Lyon station to Lyon Part Dieu. It is the new high-speed train offered by Trenitalia; more comfort, newer coaches and seats, safe, and cheaper than TGV Inoui ( class to class comparison). They both take almost the same time, but Trenitalia has four different classes compared to only two by TGV to choose from. Buy your tickets directly from the Trenitalia website.
Posted by
2 posts
There is only one train company, SNCF, They have different names for
trains with different levels of service, that's all.
You can also purchase train tickets from Trenitalia (which started Dec. 2021) to Lyon from Paris (Gare de Lyon).
https://www.trenitalia.com/
Posted by
Lake District, England
5748 posts
Further to the post above about slow speed trains it is possible to stitch together a journey not using the TGV or Frecc trains, but you are not likely to save any money and it will take you a lot of time, as the connections are likely to be poor.
The clue is in the Paris to Clermont Ferrand line-
you could take a TER from Paris Bercy to Nevers, then a TER from Nevers to Lyon.
within
Or an intercities to Moulins, St Germain des Fosses, or Vichy, and a TER or Intercities from there to Lyon.
Rather more sensibly you can also still take a TER to Dijon, then a good TER service from Dijon to Lyon- those connections are pretty good. But again, it is questionable if you would save money.
The River Cruise Vessels berth at Quai Claude Bernard which is within walking distance of Lyon Perrache station.
From Lyon Part Dieu Station you can take Tram Line T1 to the stop Quai Claude Bernard (8 stops) or, in the other direction 1 stop from Perrache station.