Skip to main content
Question

Inquiry regarding France One Country Pass validity for TGV Lyria (Basel-Paris & Paris-Geneva)

  • September 1, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 27 views

I am writing to inquire about the seat reservation rules and validity of the Eurail France One Country Pass for cross-border TGV Lyria routes.

Specifically, I am planning to travel from Basel (Basel SBB / Bâle SNCF) to Paris (Paris Gare de Lyon) on a direct TGV Lyria train. I checked the Rail Planner App, which indicates that the France One Country Pass is valid and supports seat reservations for the TGV Lyria segment from Basel to Mulhouse. Since the direct train from Basel to Paris travels through Mulhouse anyway, does this mean the pass fully covers the entire direct journey to Paris?

Furthermore, I would like to know if this same logic applies to the TGV Lyria route between Paris and Geneva. As Geneva is also a border station, can I use the France One Country Pass to book a direct train (TGV Lyria) from Paris to Geneva?

Thank you for your time and clarification.

 

    4 replies

    Railmaster
    Forum|alt.badge.img+10
    • rvdborgt
    • Railmaster
    • September 1, 2026

    Indeed, the OCP for France is valid from/to Basel SBB and Geneva. Reservations can be booked in a number of places, see:

    https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htm

    Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
    Full steam ahead
    Forum|alt.badge.img+3
    • Danhiel
    • Full steam ahead
    • September 1, 2026

    ​@Bryce 

    Please note that TGV reservations are cheaper than TGV Lyria if you take a regional train between Mulhouse or Strasbourg and Basel SBB and the TGV from/to these stations. It is also possible to travel from/to Paris with the TER (regional train), reservations are also mandatory, but inexpensive.

    The information I provide may contain errors and are not official responses from Eurail/Interrail.
    • Bryce
    • Author
    • Rail rookie
    • September 1, 2026

    ​@Bryce 

    Please note that TGV reservations are cheaper than TGV Lyria if you take a regional train between Mulhouse or Strasbourg and Basel SBB and the TGV from/to these stations. It is also possible to travel from/to Paris with the TER (regional train), reservations are also mandatory, but inexpensive.

    Thank you, that's indeed a good suggestion. Doing so would reduce the reservation fee to only €10 or €20 instead of €29. However, I've taken the TER from Basel to Strasbourg a few times, and during peak season it's often crowded with no seats available. Therefore, I'm hoping for a direct train if my luggage is heavy. I've seen posts mentioning that a few years ago, using a one-country pass on the TGV Lyria didn't allow direct trains to Basel, but it seems that's possible now. So I'd like to confirm with the official channels whether this is true.

    • Bryce
    • Author
    • Rail rookie
    • September 1, 2026

    Indeed, the OCP for France is valid from/to Basel SBB and Geneva. Reservations can be booked in a number of places, see:

    https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htm

    Thank you, this website explains it very clearly!

    Terms and Conditions & Privacy PolicyAccessibility statement