Is train travel included?

Yes. Railtour Suisse includes 2nd-class rail from Geneva to Lyon and return, based on a half-fare travelcard.

Is this a guided tour?

Yes. A local guide leads five included excursions: Vieux Lyon walk, Fourvière basilica and funicular, Croix-Rousse silk-making workshop, gastronomy tour, and Halles Paul Bocuse food market tour. Each is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

What accommodation is included?

Two nights in a double room with breakfast in a 3-star hotel in Lyon.

What meals are included?

Breakfast daily, lunch at Halles Paul Bocuse, and dinner in a traditional bouchon restaurant on Day 1. A dinner cruise on the Saône and Rhône is included on Day 2.

How much walking is involved?

Expect guided walks of 1.5 to 2 hours each through Vieux Lyon, around Fourvière, and around the Croix-Rousse district. Day 2 afternoon is free; the rest of the time you are on guided excursions.

railtour suisse · Group tour

Lyon - Group tour

Three-day guided group tour from Geneva to Lyon with local excursions

Railtour Suisse runs a 3-day, 2-night group tour from Geneva to Lyon, France's third-largest city and capital of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The train journey takes just two hours. On arrival, you settle into a 3-star hotel and join five guided local excursions led by knowledgeable guides: a walk through Vieux Lyon (a UNESCO World Heritage Site with covered Renaissance passageways called traboules), a funicular ride and basilica tour at Fourvière with panoramic river views, exploration of Croix-Rousse's silk-making heritage, a gastronomy tour highlighting Lyon's culinary traditions, and a gourmet stroll through Halles Paul Bocuse, the city's famous covered food market. Evening meals include a bouchon (traditional Lyon restaurant) dinner and a one-hour commented dinner cruise on the Saône and Rhône rivers. This itinerary suits travellers who prefer all logistics arranged, food-focused trips, couples seeking a cultural escape, and history enthusiasts drawn to Renaissance architecture and industrial heritage.

What to know before you look closer

The train fare is based on a half-fare travelcard; check with Railtour Suisse whether you need to hold one or if it is included in the package price
Day 2 afternoon is free to explore the Presqu'île district; the exact timing and scope of independent versus guided time varies by day

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Lyon
Stroll through Old Lyon
Arrive in Lyon by train; recommended brasserie lunch. Guided walk through Vieux Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Evening aperitif in the old Hôtel-Dieu followed by a meal in a typical 'bouchon'.
Day 2overnight: Lyon
Fourvière and boat trip
Funicular up to Fourvière hill for a panoramic view; guided tour of the basilica, parks and gardens, and the Roman theatre. Afternoon free to explore the Presqu'île. Evening dinner cruise on the Saône and Rhône.
Day 3rail
Gourmet tour of the Halles Paul Bocuse
Guided gourmet tour of the Halles Paul Bocuse covered market, sampling products from local producers. Return to Switzerland by train.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Guided walk through Vieux Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the traboules (covered passageways); evening meal in a traditional bouchon restaurant
Day 2Funicular ride to Fourvière hill for panoramic views, guided tour of the basilica and Roman theatre, followed by a one-hour commented dinner cruise on the Saône and Rhône rivers
Day 3Guided gourmet tour of Halles Paul Bocuse covered market with tastings from local food producers

Included

2nd class train from/to Geneva, based on half-fare travelcard
2 nights in a double room with breakfast in a 3-star hotel

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes. Railtour Suisse includes 2nd-class rail from Geneva to Lyon and return, based on a half-fare travelcard.
Is this a guided tour?: Yes. A local guide leads five included excursions: Vieux Lyon walk, Fourvière basilica and funicular, Croix-Rousse silk-making workshop, gastronomy tour, and Halles Paul Bocuse food market tour. Each is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
What accommodation is included?: Two nights in a double room with breakfast in a 3-star hotel in Lyon.
What meals are included?: Breakfast daily, lunch at Halles Paul Bocuse, and dinner in a traditional bouchon restaurant on Day 1. A dinner cruise on the Saône and Rhône is included on Day 2.
How much walking is involved?: Expect guided walks of 1.5 to 2 hours each through Vieux Lyon, around Fourvière, and around the Croix-Rousse district. Day 2 afternoon is free; the rest of the time you are on guided excursions.