I am booking a 1w ticket and need to get to Lyon to meet some friends. Unfortunately, BA only flies from Gatwick to Lyon. So I have the following options:

1) Transfer from LHR to Gatwick and then fly directly to Lyon.
2) Fly from LHR to Paris and take a train Lyon.
3) Fly from LHR to Geneva and take a train to Lyon.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I am looking for the quickest way possible. I am flying into LHR first thing in the morning from Bangkok and would like to get to Lyon by midday if possible.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions you have.

LGW for LYS for BA is new (was out of LHR last November). I guess it's a continuation of BA's strategy of moving flights to secondary markets out of LHR. They've also changed a/c from A-320s and 757s to 737s.

I somehow think you will be better going by the AF (Jersey European) flight out of LHR which get into LYS before noon.

The train idea via CDG or GVA will probably take too much time with changes and all, and given the fact you're losing an hour going from GMT to European time.

I've probably missed something here, but a quick check on Expedia showed flights out of LHR to Lyon connecting thru BRU on Sabena and KLM. Will these work??

bagold: easy:

AF has 3 non-stop LHR-LYS flights/day operated by Jersey European airways ( 1h45 flight times)
0850:1135 AF 5245
1410:1655 AF 5247
1915:2200 AF 5249


if your flight from BKK is on time, this leaves you with 2.5 hours for the trip from term 4 to term 2.

if you want to stay with BA, take the LHR-CDG at 7:20 that gets into CDG at 9:30, take the TGV train at the CDG station (very convenient at the airport) at 11:24 and you're in downtown Lyon Part-Dieu station at 13:33. Plus you get UA miles for the train trip.

[This message has been edited by Droneklax (edited 05-29-2000).]

Thank you very much for all the suggestions. My first choice would be to stick with BA because I am on a mileage run to retain my BA gold status this year (my work is mainly domestic USA so not much chance to do international travel this year).

The TGV train sounds like the best fit right now and I get there at 13:33 which is pretty good!

Does anyone know how long it takes from Geneva to Lyon?

Droneklax,

Is there a big difference between 1st and 2nd class? I am checking out the prices for the TGV (Paris-Lyon-Paris)and there is quite a big difference especailly if I book 30 days in advance.

Another question I was wondering is that it looks like I have to make an advance reservation. Is that true? What happens if I turn up earlier, can I take an earlier train?

Thanks for your help.

[This message has been edited by bagold (edited 05-30-2000).]

bagold,
the 2nd class seats are a bit stiff and upright. First is of course more quiet.
After a 12 hour flight from BKK, plus a flight to CDG plus 2 hours waiting at CDG, I would pay for first class NON SMOKING.

You really don't have to make a reservation, my guess is that there'll be plenty of seats available the day of departure. you can buy the ticket at automated machines at the station ( beware, I have had problems using foreign credit cards though), or with a SNCF agent. The SNCF has a new policy of allowing you to travel on any train as long as it is on the same day as your reservation.

You can also log on www.sncf.fr and buy your ticket before you leave, that's what I would do; that way you don't have added stress on what will be a very long day!




[This message has been edited by Droneklax (edited 05-31-2000).]

French train timetables are at: http://www.sncf.fr/indexe.htm (in English!)
There is a railway station in Geneva airport, which has two sides, the French & the Swiss.

dagold,

Keep in mind that TGV service out of CDG Terminal 1 involves a shuttle bus ride to the TGV train station, which is different from the RER suburban rail station. Last time I did this, it took more than 30 minutes door to door. I have ridden in 2nd class on the TGV following a coach transatlantic flight and lived to tell about it - takes only two hours from CDG to Lyon.

and watch out, they have moved the shuttles down to the first floor of CDG1 , next to that automatic shuttle rail system what cost billions of francs and was never placed in service.....