France
SNCF Voyageurs has announced plans to introduce a new direct Ouigo TGV service between Lyon and Bordeaux by summer 2027, aimed at strengthening cross-country high-speed links and addressing a long-standing gap in France’s Interconnexion network. Revealed on November 27, the new service will run daily in each direction, offering a fast and affordable option on what is currently one of the country’s busiest domestic air corridors.
The train will depart Lyon Part-Dieu at 08.00, calling at Massy TGV, Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, Poitiers and Angoulême before arriving in Bordeaux Saint-Jean at 13.02. The return working will leave Bordeaux at 13.58, reaching Lyon at 19.00. The timetable is designed to provide convenient connections at intermediate hubs while still maintaining competitive end-to-end journey times.
At present, the quickest rail journey between the two cities is 4 hours 21 minutes, requiring a change from the 10.30 Inoui departure from Lyon at Massy to connect into Ouigo 7673. The introduction of the through service removes this interchange and is expected to make rail travel more attractive for leisure and business passengers alike.
By offering a direct, low-cost alternative, SNCF Voyageurs hopes to capture a larger share of the market from air travel while supporting broader efforts to promote environmentally sustainable long-distance transport.
