Avignon to Paris by train

The quickest way from Avignon to Paris is a direct high-speed train from Avignon TGV. It takes about 2 hours 40 minutes.

Start at Avignon TGV

Almost all trains to Paris leave from Avignon TGV, about 6 km from the city centre. Between TGV INOUI and OUIGO, there is a direct departure most hours from early morning to the evening. TGV INOUI takes about 2 hours 40 minutes to Paris Gare de Lyon, and OUIGO between about 2 hours 40 and 2 hours 50 minutes.

From Avignon Centre, the TER shuttle to Avignon TGV takes about 5 minutes and runs through the day. Orizo buses also link the TGV station with the city. Leave yourself a margin for the change.

A couple of TGV INOUI trains a day run direct from Avignon Centre to Paris Gare de Lyon, one early in the morning and one in the early evening. They take about 3 hours 45 minutes, roughly an hour longer than trains from Avignon TGV. Booking pages often show only "Avignon", so open the train details and confirm the departure station before you pay.

Where you arrive in Paris

TGV INOUI trains arrive at Paris Gare de Lyon, in the city. OUIGO is split. Some trains run to Gare de Lyon, and others run to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy instead, beside Disneyland Paris about 25 km from the city, where you change to RER A for central Paris. Unless Disneyland is the plan, pick a train to Gare de Lyon.

Catching a flight? The OUIGO trains to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy carry on to Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV, and several TGV INOUI trains heading for Brussels stop there too. From Avignon TGV to the airport takes about 3 hours.

TGV INOUI or OUIGO

For the lowest fare, take OUIGO, whose fares start from under €20 one way when the cheapest seats are available, and children aged 4 to 11 pay a fixed €8. The basic fare covers a cabin bag up to 55 x 35 x 25 cm and a small bag up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm. A larger or extra bag costs €5, up to two of them, or comes included with OUIGO PLUS at €9 more than the basic OUIGO ESSENTIEL fare.

TGV INOUI costs more but offers first class and the OPTIMUM class, whose tickets can be exchanged or refunded free of charge, even after departure. Fares vary by train and date. A Carte Avantage costs €49 and gives discounted fares, with Jeune (12 to 27), Adulte (27 to 59) and Senior (60 and over) versions.

Pack with the TGV INOUI limit in mind. You may bring two large bags up to 70 x 90 x 50 cm plus one piece of hand luggage, and every bag needs a name label.

Using an Interrail pass

Interrail passes are accepted on both TGV INOUI and OUIGO, but every train needs a seat reservation. Pass-holder reservations cost €10 to €20 on either. Places for pass holders are usually limited, so reserve once your dates are fixed. On OUIGO, the seat reservation arrives by email four days before departure.