Paris to Lucerne by train
No direct train: TGV Lyria from Paris Gare de Lyon to Basel SBB, then about an hour to Luzern. Around 4 hours 45 minutes, six a day.
- Origin
- Paris
- Destination
- Lucerne
- Main stations
- Paris Gare de Lyon to Luzern Bahnhof
- Countries
- France, Switzerland
Paris to Lucerne takes about 4 hours 45 minutes by train, with one change at Basel SBB from the TGV Lyria to a Swiss train for Luzern.
Change at Basel, not Zürich
No train runs direct from Paris to Lucerne. Take the TGV Lyria from Paris Gare de Lyon to Basel SBB and change there for Luzern. Lyria sells this as one through ticket, with the Basel connection built in.
The same Lyria carries on to Zürich HB, which tempts some travellers to stay aboard. Don't. Changing at Zürich instead of Basel gets you to Luzern about 20 minutes later, with a tighter connection.
Journey time and trains
Six TGV Lyria trains a day leave Paris Gare de Lyon for Basel SBB. The first goes early in the morning, then one roughly every two hours until early evening. The run to Basel takes just over 3 hours, calling at Mulhouse and, depending on the train, at Dijon or Belfort-Montbéliard TGV.
In Basel you usually have 30 to 40 minutes before the Lucerne train. No need to rush. Trains from Basel SBB to Luzern run twice an hour, and the faster ones take about an hour; some are SBB intercity trains, others Südostbahn Treno Gottardo trains. The six Lyria connections stay in place 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 from Basel needs none. Lyria has three classes, Standard, Première and Première Signature, and luggage is included in Standard and Première.
Lyria fares rise as trains fill. If one booking will not cover the whole trip, buy Paris to Basel and Basel to Luzern separately.
An Interrail Global Pass covers both trains. The Lyria still needs a pass-holder reservation, €29 in Standard and €39 in Première, and pass-holder places on TGV trains are limited, so reserve once your date is fixed; bookings usually open about three months ahead. From Basel to Luzern, the pass on its own is enough.
No Lyria on 14 and 15 November 2026
No TGV Lyria runs between Paris and Basel on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November 2026. That weekend no trains run between Saint-Louis and Basel either. The quickest way is a TGV to Mulhouse or Strasbourg, a regional train to Saint-Louis and a bus or tram into Basel, or a TGV to Geneva or Lausanne and Swiss trains on to Luzern. Expect several changes and at least an extra hour. Some of those routes start from 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 Lucerne
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Paris to Lucerne?
No. You change once, at Basel SBB, from the TGV Lyria to a Swiss train for Luzern. TGV Lyria sells the whole journey on one ticket.
How long does the train from Paris to Lucerne take?
About 4 hours 45 minutes. That is just over 3 hours on the TGV Lyria to Basel, a 30 to 40 minute wait, then about an hour to Luzern.
How many trains a day go from Paris to Lucerne?
Six with a single change, one for each TGV Lyria from Paris Gare de Lyon to Basel SBB. They leave from early morning to early evening, roughly every two hours.
Do I need a seat reservation from Paris to Lucerne?
Yes on the TGV Lyria, where it is compulsory and included in a normal ticket. The Swiss train from Basel to Luzern needs no reservation.
Can I use an Interrail pass from Paris to Lucerne?
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 Basel and Luzern the pass alone is enough.
More routes
