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Taking the train from Paris Montparnasse to Basel in 3 hours 4 minutes
Thinking about taking the train from Paris Montparnasse to Basel? We’ve got you covered.
It usually takes around 3 hours 59 minutes to travel the 258 miles (415 km) from Paris Montparnasse to Basel by train, although you can get there in as little as 3 hours 4 minutes on the fastest services. You’ll normally find around 16 trains per day running on this route. You won’t need to worry about making any changes along the way either as direct trains are available. You can travel with TGV Lyria trains during your journey, as they are the main operator of services on this route.
Train tickets from Paris Montparnasse to Basel start from £81.22 when you book in advance, which can be cheaper than buying them on the day. Start a search in our Journey Planner to check out the latest prices.
Keen to book your train tickets to Basel? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to find out a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train timetable below, tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs, including first and last train times.
Paris Montparnasse to Basel by train
It takes an average of 3h 59m to travel from Paris Montparnasse to Basel by train, over a distance of around 258 miles (415 km). There are normally 16 trains per day travelling from Paris Montparnasse to Basel and tickets for this journey start from £81.22 when you book in advance.
| First train | 06:52 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 20:24 | |
| Departure station | Paris Montparnasse | |
| Arrival station | Basel | |
| Journey time | From 3h 4m | |
| Distance | 258 miles (415 km) | |
| Frequency | 16 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From £81.22 | |
| Train and bus operators |
TGV Lyria trains from Paris Montparnasse to Basel
TGV Lyria links France to Switzerland and can travel at a maximum speed of 200 mph (320 km/h). Resulting from the collaboration between SNCF and SBB, TGV Lyria has three comfort classes on all trains. Standard (equivalent to the Second Class TGV, with comfortable seats), Standard 1ère (with more legroom and access to the SNCF show Grand Voyageur at the Gare de Lyon in Paris) and Business 1ère (available all week except Saturday, on some lines only).
More information
TGV Lyria classes from Paris Montparnasse to Basel
Compare the different travel classes offered by TGV Lyria when travelling from Paris Montparnasse to Basel.
Standard
TGV Lyria’s Standard Class offers comfortable seats and access to the dining car, perfect for an economical trip in comfort.
- Free WiFi
- Luggage storage
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Power sockets
- More legroom
- Full ticket flexibility
- Welcome service
- Complimentary meal at seat
- Quiet area
- Unlimited drinks
Standard Première
When travelling in Standard Première with TGV Lyria, you will have additional legroom, the comfort of a first-class seat, as well as a hot meal served at your seat.
- Free WiFi
- Luggage storage
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Power sockets
- More legroom
- Full ticket flexibility
- Welcome service
- Complimentary meal at seat
- Quiet area
- Unlimited drinks
Business Première
If you prefer to travel in style, upgrade to Business Première class and enjoy a welcome drink, a meal on board and much more.
- Free WiFi
- Luggage storage
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Power sockets
- More legroom
- Full ticket flexibility (1)
- Welcome service
- Complimentary meal at seat
- Quiet area
- Unlimited drinks
- (1) Check conditions when selecting the ticket.
Onboard services on TGV Lyria
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Paris Montparnasse to Basel.
You can take luggage on board TGV Lyria trains without worrying about weight restrictions, so long as you're able to carry it yourself.
There are two refreshment options on board TGV Lyria trains:
Le Deli: Available in the café-bar carriage or at your seat, with a STANDARD or STANDARD 1ÈRE TGV Lyria ticket.
La Table: A French-Swiss dining experience available with a BUSINESS 1ÈRE TGV Lyria ticket.
Free WiFi is available on board. To get online, connect to the network _WIFI_LYRIA when you're on the train and go to the TGV Lyria Portal in your browser.
Families can reserve two different areas on the train:
The Family Square, located in carriages 6, 16, 7 or 17 in STANDARD (Second Class). This is a set of four seats facing one another, with space for a pushchair.
Club 4, which is also a set of 4 seats facing one another around a table.
You will also find baby changing facilities, including a baby changing table and bottle-warming station, on the upper deck of carriages 7 and 17, close to the Family Space.
Bikes are allowed on board, so long as they're folded or their wheels are detached. Bikes must also be placed in suitable storage cases (no larger than 130 x 90 cm).
Small pets may travel with TGV Lyria, as long as they are carried in a carrier or container no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Pets must be placed on your lap or by your feet and must travel with their own ticket at a flat rate of €7.
Dogs on a lead may travel on TGV Lyria trains, but they must be muzzled throughout the journey and placed by your feet. Passengers must pay a flat-rate ticket fee of €20.
2 seats in carriages 1 or 11 in First Class are reserved for passengers with reduced mobility. You can request one of these seats when making your booking. If these spaces are no longer available, you can reserve a standard seat. You can also reserve assistance at the train station for help folding and storing your wheelchair.
You can travel with musical instruments if they're stored in a case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. If you're going skiing, snowboards and skis are allowed on board (one pair of skis or one snowboard per person). They must be stored in their covers.
Cheap train tickets from Paris Montparnasse to Basel
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Paris Montparnasse to Basel by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from Paris Montparnasse to Basel? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from Paris Montparnasse to Basel take?
The average journey time by train between Paris Montparnasse and Basel is 3 hours and 59 minutes, with around 16 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between Paris Montparnasse and Basel by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Paris Montparnasse to Basel is 3 hours and 4 minutes.
How much does the train from Paris Montparnasse to Basel cost?
Train ticket prices from Paris Montparnasse to Basel can start from as little as £81.22 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.
Is there a direct train from Paris Montparnasse to Basel?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Paris Montparnasse to Basel without having to change trains. There are 3 direct trains from Paris Montparnasse to Basel each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from Paris Montparnasse to Basel leave?
The first train from Paris Montparnasse to Basel leaves at 06:52. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Paris Montparnasse to Basel leave?
The last train from Paris Montparnasse to Basel leaves at 20:24. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between Paris Montparnasse and Basel by train?
Trains travelling from Paris Montparnasse to Basel cover a distance of around 258 miles (415 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Basel to Paris Montparnasse.