Intro
Paris and Switzerland are just three hours apart: the TGV Lyria trains travel daily between the French capital and Zurich, Basel, Geneva and Lausanne.
France and Switzerland are historically linked by rail: the first international train connection into Switzerland was from Strasbourg to Basel. Established in 1844, the “Compagnie du chemin de fer de Strasbourg à Bâle” was a predecessor to the many train connections that exists today.
Efficient and convenient trains from France to Switzerland
Linking city centres in France and Switzerland, today’s rail lines are popular among different travelers. French business folks will zip to Zurich for their weekly team meetings. Young couples decide to spend a weekend of culture in Lausanne. And overseas travelers would transfer from France to Switzerland by train before spending a few days in the alpine nation.
Direct connections from France to Switzerland
| From / to | Approximate travel time | Number of connections |
| Paris – Basel | 3 h 04 min | up to 6x daily |
| Paris – Genève | 3 h 11 min | up to 8x daily |
| Paris – Lausanne | 3 h 41 min | up to 6x daily |
| Paris – Zürich | 4 h 04 min | up to 6x daily |
| Marseille – Genève | 3 h 43 min | once daily (only in July & August) |
Six daily train connections from Paris to Switzerland
The TGV Lyria rail link between Paris and Zurich operates six times daily. With speeds of up to 320 km/h, gliding across the countryside at warp speed is an experience to write home about. From the moment the train departs Gare de Lyon in Paris to the moment the doors open at the Zurich main station, some 489 km away, just four hours pass.
Travel classes and services on TGV Lyria trains
Along the way, you will get to enjoy all the amenities of the train’s modern coaches. TGV Lyria has recently overhauled their entire fleet of train compositions, offering ever more comfort between France and Switzerland.
Located on two floors, you will find three levels of comfort: STANDARD, STANDARD 1ère (First), and BUSINESS 1ère (First).
All levels offer comfortable seating and are equipped with WiFi. Regardless of your purchased comfort level, make sure to check out the bar coach featuring the “Le DELI” catering concept.
In the restaurant coach, you can purchase hot and cold beverages, sweet and savory snacks, as well as proper meals. Acclaimed head chef, Michel Roth, uses seasonal ingredients from mainly French and Swiss suppliers. The result: French cuisine with a creative twist – served at highspeed!
Premium services exclusive to STANDARD 1ère and BUSINESS 1ère:
- Access to the traveler’s lounge at Gare de Lyon in Paris: Salon Grand Voyageur TGV INOUI
Additional services included in BUSINESS 1ère:
- A welcome drink and oshibori (moist towelette)
- A warm meal served at the seat
- Complimentary beverages
- A dedicated „quiet“ coach
- Ultimate flexibility to select any train connection on the ticketed day
- High level of attention thanks to dedicated on-board staff
Some tips for traveling by train from France to Switzerland
- Seat reservations are mandatory. There is no extra charge as reservations are included in the ticket price.
- Plan to arrive at the departure train station with some time to spare. That’s because you are required to board the train no later than two minutes prior to the scheduled departure. After that, access to the train can no longer be guaranteed.
Arrival in Switzerland
- TGV Lyria takes you from France straight to Swiss city centres; simply step off the train and start exploring.
- Should your journey continue within Switzerland, rest assured that trains depart at half-hour intervals in all directions.