Paris to Avignon by train

Paris to Avignon is one straight run on the high-speed line. Direct trains reach Avignon TGV in about 2 hours 40 minutes.

Book Avignon TGV for most trains

Two stations serve Avignon, and almost every high-speed train from Paris stops at Avignon TGV. It sits about 6 km outside the city centre. A TER shuttle train runs from there to Avignon Centre in about 5 minutes, with departures through the day, and Orizo buses also serve the station.

A couple of TGV INOUI trains a day run direct from Paris Gare de Lyon to Avignon Centre. They take about 3 hours 45 minutes. Riding to Avignon TGV and hopping on the shuttle gets you into the centre in around 3 hours 10 minutes instead, so take the direct Avignon Centre train only when its timing suits you. Booking pages often show only "Avignon", so open the train details and confirm the station before you pay.

Trains and journey times

Between TGV INOUI and OUIGO, there is a direct train from Paris to Avignon TGV most hours from early morning to the evening. TGV INOUI, the main high-speed service of SNCF Voyageurs, leaves from Paris Gare de Lyon and takes about 2 hours 40 minutes.

OUIGO is SNCF's low-cost high-speed brand. Its direct trains take between about 2 hours 35 minutes and just under 3 hours. Some leave Paris Gare de Lyon. Others start at Marne-la-Vallée Chessy, the station beside Disneyland Paris about 25 km from the city, which RER A links to central Paris. Unless you are staying out that way, pick a Gare de Lyon departure.

Flying into Charles de Gaulle? A handful of OUIGO and TGV INOUI trains run direct from Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV to Avignon TGV in about 3 hours. You skip central Paris entirely.

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, which costs €9 more than the basic OUIGO ESSENTIEL fare.

TGV INOUI costs more. In return you get first class and the OPTIMUM class, whose tickets can be exchanged or refunded free of charge, even after departure. TGV INOUI fares vary by train and date. If you travel in France often, a Carte Avantage costs €49 and gives discounted fares, with Jeune (12 to 27), Adulte (27 to 59) and Senior (60 and over) versions.

Luggage rules are stricter than many travellers expect. On TGV INOUI you may bring two large bags up to 70 x 90 x 50 cm plus one piece of hand luggage, and every bag must carry a name label.

Using an Interrail pass

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