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London to Lyon by train
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Cheapest Price €47.13
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30 days in advance €276.35
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First train07:15
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Last train07:19
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Avg changes0
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Fastest journey4hr 41m
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Distance743 kilometres
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Trains per day1
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Avg. journey time4hr 43m
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Train operators
Travelling from London to Lyon by train
Want to know how to get from London to Lyon by train? We have gathered for you all the useful information about this trip!
The fastest trains from London to Lyon take around 4 hours and 41 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 743 kilometres.
On weekdays the only train to Lyon is usually scheduled to depart London around . This is the same as during the weekend. On average, there are about 1 train per day travelling between the two cities.
Prices for a single ticket between the two cities start from €47.13.
We think any time is a great time to visit Lyon, as each season has its own unique charm. Nevertheless, please make sure you check the local weather and average seasonal temperatures at destination before deciding on your holiday.
For more tips to help you plan your journey, check out our help articles, or read our guide to Lyon.
Is there a direct train from London to Lyon?
Yes, there is a direct train from London to Lyon.
Trains usually run with a similar frequency on weekends.
How long does it take to travel from London to Lyon?
The London to Lyon train travel takes about 4 hours and 41 minutes, no matter when you leave.
What are the London to Lyon train times and schedule?
On weekdays the only train to Lyon is usually scheduled to depart London around . This is the same at the weekend.
Other journeys to Lyon View all journeys to Lyon
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From Geneva to Lyon From €36.85
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From Paris to Lyon From €10.71
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From Barcelona to Lyon From €10.28
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From Ashford International to Lyon From €59.70
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From Avignon TGV to Lyon From €17.82
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From Lille to Lyon From €10.28
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From Nice to Lyon From €10.28
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From Dijon-Ville to Lyon From €1.71
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From Bordeaux to Lyon From €20.99
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From Cannes to Lyon From €21.42
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From Brussels to Lyon From €20.99
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From Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Lyon From €43.70
Other journeys from Lyon
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From Lyon to Barcelona From €13.71
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From Lyon to Paris From €10.71
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From Lyon to Bourg-Saint-Maurice From €43.70
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From Lyon to Aime-la-Plagne From €41.56
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From Lyon to Marseille From €10.71
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From Lyon to Saint-Étienne From €15.00
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From Lyon to Montpellier From €10.71
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From Lyon to Chambéry - Challes-les-Eaux From €18.42
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From Lyon to Milan From €29.56
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From Lyon to Annecy From €26.56
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From Lyon to Toulouse From €10.28
Other journeys from London
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From London to Nice From €96.83
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From London to Rome From €72.58
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From London to Florence From €79.86
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From London to Turin From €68.55
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From London to Venice From €164.01
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From London to Verona From €148.76
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From London to Milan From €68.12
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From London to Paris From €36.85
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From London to Brussels From €83.55
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From London to Berlin From €57.84
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From London to Frankfurt am Main From €72.84
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From London to Munich From €57.84
Use a direct Eurostar train for your journey from London to Lyon. Or, on those days when the direct train does not run, travel by Eurostar to Paris (or Lille), changing there onto a fast TGV to Lyon.
Direct Eurostar
During summer 2018, it'll be possible to board a Eurostar train at London St. Pancras International and travel directly to Lyon without the need to change trains along the way. This is a seasonal direct train to Marseille which stops in Lyon on its fash dash south to the Mediterranean.
The 2018 season for the direct service from London to Lyon started on 4 May 2018, but there are of course plenty of alternative routes to the direct train, with multiple options each day requiring an easy change of train in Lille or Paris.
London to Lyon
The first part of the Eurostar journey from London sweeps through Thameside landscapes and rural Kent. The train stops at Ashford International to pick up passengers before diving into the Channel Tunnel. Little more than an hour after leaving London you’ll already be in northern France, tracking south through Flanders’ fields towards Paris. Skirting the east of the French capital, it’s then a fast dash south through Burgundy to the Rhône Valley where the first stop is at Lyon Part Dieu station. At Part Dieu, there are excellent onward connections to many cities in the south of France and to Barcelona.
On the return journey from Lyon Part Dieu to London St Pancras, there is an extra stop at Lille Europe. This is required by the UK Border Force in order for the authorities to carry out immigration checks before the train enters the Channel Tunnel.
Eurostar & TGV via Paris
Travellers taking the train from London to Lyon are spoilt for choice. The route with the largest number of departures each day is that via Paris – and many travellers who opt for this route take the chance to stop off for a couple of hours in the French capital.
The journey from London to Lyon via Paris kicks off with a high-speed run on Eurostar from London to Paris, where you will need to change stations. The second leg from Paris to Lyon takes just a couple of hours.
If you want to cut out that change of stations in Paris, you can instead travel via Lille – changing at Lille Europe from Eurostar onto a direct TGV to Lyon. Since spring 2015 travellers have a very attractive new option with Eurostar’s direct London to Lyon service. For Eurostar’s new direct service to Lyon, bookings open very much longer in advance.
London to Paris
The first part of the journey from London sweeps through Thameside landscapes and rural Kent to reach the Channel Tunnel. Little more than an hour after leaving London you'll already be in northern France, tracking south through Flanders fields towards Paris.
Remember to factor in at least half an hour for Eurostar's airline-style baggage check prior to boarding your train. There is a luggage and body scan and you'll be asked to show your passport. There are no restrictions on taking liquids on board Eurostar trains.
Paris interchange: Paris Nord to Paris Lyon
When you alight from the train at Gare du Nord look for signs to the Metro and RER. Once you've bought a ticket follow the signs to 'RER D', direction 'Melun' or 'Malesherbes'. So long as you're heading in the right direction, all the trains on this line stop at Gare de Lyon. The actual train journey takes around 10 mins with just one stop on the way at Châtelet-les-Halles. Upon alighting from the RER train at Gare de Lyon, follow the signs to the mainline station. The signs read 'Accès aux trains Grandes Lignes'. The whole journey from the concourse at Gare du Nord to the mainline departure platforms at Gare de Lyon will normally take about 40 mins but we recommend leaving at least 50 mins.
If you are arriving at Gare du Nord from London, bear in mind that you can buy Paris Métro tickets at the Eurostar terminal at St. Pancras and on board the Eurostar train. Similarly, passengers arriving at the Gare du Nord on Thalys trains from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands can buy Metro tickets on the train (at the Thalys Bar). Although universally referred to as Métro tickets, they are in fact valid on RER trains too.
Paris to Lyon
Every day, TGVs leave the Gare de Lyon in Paris for the city of Lyon. This is a fast dash on France’s oldest dedicated high-speed rail route – it opened way back in 1981. Within little more than an hour you swap Parisian suburbs for the soft contours of Burgundy vineyards and before long the train is gliding into Lyon. All TGV services from Paris stop first at Lyon Part Dieu station. Most then continue to serve Lyon Perrache.