A TGV Lyria train from  Paris to Switzerland, at Paris Gare de Lyon

TGV-Lyria train to Paris at Zurich HB.

Tickets from €29 at
 www.sncf-connect.com
www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com

Print your own ticket or show it on your phone.  Booking usually opens 4 months ahead.  More info on how to book.

Buy train tickets from Paris to Switzerland

What is TGV-Lyria?

TGV-Lyria is the company formed to run the high-speed trains between Paris & Switzerland, 76% owned by SNCF (French Railways) and 24% by SBB (Swiss Railways). TGV stands for Train à Grande Vitesse or High Speed Train, running at up to 320 km/h (199 mph).  From city centre to city centre it's faster than flying...

small bullet point  TGV-Lyria routes

small bullet point  The 3 classes explained

small bullet point  What are TGV-Lyria trains like?

small bullet point  Travel tips

small bullet point  Route map

small bullet point  How to find times, fares & tickets

TGV-Lyria routes

Paris Gare de Lyon - Basel - Zurich in 4h03

Paris Gare de Lyon - Geneva in 3h09

Paris Gare de Lyon - Lausanne in 3h40

See the route map below

What are TGV-Lyria trains like?

Since December 2019, TGV-Lyria's fleet consists entirely of double-deck TGV Duplex high-speed trains, capable of up to 300 km/h on the Sud-Est high-speed line out of Paris and up to 320 km/h (199 mph) on the Rhine-Rhone high-speed line between Dijon & Mulhouse.  TGV-Lyria no longer operates any single-deck TGVs.

TGV-Lyria has 3 classes

In December 2017 TGV-Lyria switched from two classes (1st & 2nd) to three:  Standard, Standard Premier & Business Premier.  The trains physically have two types of seating, 2nd (standard) class & 1st class, but some 1st class cars are designated Standard Premier and others Business Premier.  You will choose your class when buying your ticket.  There are some seats upstairs and some downstairs in each class.

Double-deck TGV Duplex

All Paris-Switzerland TGV-Lyria trains are now operated by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex.  TGV stands for Train á Grande Vitesse, French for high-speed train.  The 9 steps to the top deck are short, wide and easy, and there are luggage racks and toilets both upstairs and downstairs.  You walk through the train to the cafe-bar at the upper deck level.  TGV-Lyria trains leave from Paris Gare de Lyon.  I recommend an upper deck seat on a TGV Duplex for the best views of the scenery, you can choose decks if you buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Another reason for choosing the upper deck on a TGV Duplex is that the refreshment trolley comes along the upper deck from the cafe-bar, it cannot go downstairs.

TGV-Lyria train from Paris to Switzerland, at Paris Gare de Lyon

TGV-Lyria euroduplex train at Paris Gare de Lyon. These 320 km/h double-deck trains now operate all TGV-Lyria services.

TGV Duplex cafe-bar   TGV Duplex upper deck 2nd class seats

The cafe-bar on the upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style hot dishes...

 

2nd class seats, this is upper deck seating.  There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating.  360º photo.

First class on board a TGV Duplex   A TGV-Lyria train from Paris to Switzerland

1st class on the upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right.  Larger photo.

 

A TGV-Lyria for Geneva, boarding at Paris Gare de Lyon.  You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck.

Business premiere meal   Business premier menu

Business Premier meal...

Courtesy of Roberto Rinaldi

 

Business Premier menu...

Courtesy of Roberto Rinaldi

TGV Duplex:  Power outlets   TGV Duplex:  Stairs to upper deck   TGV Duplex:  Luggage racks

The stairs from upper deck landing down to the entrance, 9 easy shallow steps.

 

Power sockets at all seats, 2-pin 230v.

 

Luggage racks.  You put your bags on the racks, both upstairs & downstairs, at car ends & between the seats.

Video guide:  TGV Duplex

The video shows a TGV Duplex in its original blue colour scheme with the original blue & purple 1st class seats, but the train & seats themselves haven't changed.

Travel tips

Route map

Paris to Switzerland TGV Lyria train route map

 

Click for larger map

Highlighted = Paris to Geneva, Paris to Lausanne, Paris to Basel & Zurich by TGV-Lyria

Green = scenic sections.  Red = high-speed line

Some Paris-Lausanne TGVs operate via Geneva not Dijon.

Reproduced from the excellent European Rail Map with kind permission of the European Rail Timetable people.  I recommend buying a copy of the European Rail Map for your travels, www.europeanrailtimetable.eu with shipping worldwide.

European Rail Timetable and map

TGV-Lyria times, fares & tickets


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