Lucerne to Paris by train
One change at Basel SBB: about an hour from Luzern, then the TGV Lyria to Paris Gare de Lyon. Around 4 hours 45 minutes, six a day.
- Origin
- Lucerne
- Destination
- Paris
- Main stations
- Luzern Bahnhof to Paris Gare de Lyon
- Countries
- Switzerland, France
Lucerne to Paris takes about 4 hours 45 minutes by train: about an hour from Luzern to Basel SBB, then the TGV Lyria to Paris Gare de Lyon.
One change, in Basel
There is no direct train from Lucerne to Paris. Ride a Swiss train from Luzern to Basel SBB, then board the TGV Lyria for Paris Gare de Lyon. Lyria sells the trip as a through ticket, so the Basel connection is part of one booking. Every fast connection changes in Basel.
Journey time and trains
Trains from Luzern to Basel SBB run twice an hour, and the faster ones take about an hour. Some are SBB intercity trains, others Südostbahn Treno Gottardo trains. In Basel the Lyria usually leaves 30 to 40 minutes after you arrive. Plenty of time.
Six TGV Lyria trains a day run from Basel SBB to Paris Gare de Lyon, roughly every two hours. The first connection leaves Luzern early in the morning; the last leaves in the early evening and reaches Paris late in the evening. From Basel the Lyria takes just over 3 hours, calling at Mulhouse and, depending on the train, at Dijon or Belfort-Montbéliard TGV. The same six connections run after the timetable change on 13 December 2026.
Tickets, reservations and passes
A seat reservation is compulsory on the TGV Lyria and comes with a normal Lyria ticket. The Swiss train to Basel needs none. Lyria has three classes, Standard, Première and Première Signature, and luggage is included in Standard and Première.
Lyria fares climb as departures fill. If one booking will not cover the whole trip, buy Luzern to Basel and Basel to Paris separately.
An Interrail Global Pass covers both trains. You still pay for a pass-holder reservation on the Lyria, €29 in Standard and €39 in Première, and pass-holder places on TGV trains are limited; reserve once your date is fixed, as bookings usually open about three months ahead. On the Swiss train to Basel, the pass alone does the job.
No Lyria on 14 and 15 November 2026
No TGV Lyria runs between Basel and Paris on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November 2026. That weekend no trains run between Basel and Saint-Louis either. The quickest way is a tram or bus from Basel to Saint-Louis, a regional train to Mulhouse or Strasbourg and a TGV to Paris, or Swiss trains to Geneva for a TGV to Paris Gare de Lyon. Expect several changes and at least an extra hour; some of these journeys end at Paris Est rather than Gare de Lyon. Until early 2027 some other Lyria trains also run to adjusted times with changed stops, so check the times of your exact train when you book.
Where to book
Train service
- Check times & prices
TGV Lyria links Paris with Geneva, Lausanne, Basel and Zurich in 3 to 4 hours. Fares from €29 or CHF 28, folding bikes only.
Official website
Find places to stay in Paris
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Lucerne to Paris?
No. You change once, at Basel SBB, from a Swiss train to the TGV Lyria for Paris Gare de Lyon. TGV Lyria sells the whole journey on one ticket.
How long does the train from Lucerne to Paris take?
About 4 hours 45 minutes. Allow about an hour to Basel, a 30 to 40 minute wait, then just over 3 hours on the TGV Lyria.
Which Paris station does the train from Lucerne arrive at?
Paris Gare de Lyon, in the 12th arrondissement. Every TGV Lyria from Basel ends its run there.
Do I need a seat reservation from Lucerne to Paris?
Yes on the TGV Lyria, where it is compulsory and included in a normal ticket. The Swiss train from Luzern to Basel needs no reservation.
Can I use an Interrail pass from Lucerne to Paris?
Yes, with an Interrail Global Pass, which covers both trains. The TGV Lyria needs a pass-holder reservation, €29 in Standard and €39 in Première, and pass-holder places are limited. Between Luzern and Basel the pass alone is enough.
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