Short answer: On 14 April 2026, Italian private operator Italo (NTV) became the first private rail company to run high-speed services across the Turin–Lyon corridor, with direct trains from Milano Porta Garibaldi to Lyon Part-Dieu via Torino Porta Susa and Chambéry. The launch uses the existing Fréjus and historical lines in a first phase, with up to 15 daily trains planned once the new Mont Cenis base tunnel opens. Fares start from around €29.90 in Economy class.
For the first time in the cross-border corridor's history, the train from northern Italy to France is no longer the exclusive territory of the state-owned operator Trenitalia and the SNCF group. Italo — the private challenger of NTV, already known on Milan–Rome, Milan–Naples and Venice routes — has begun running its own high-speed services through the Alps, opening a new chapter in European rail competition. For the broader context on cross-border night services, see our guide to the Brussels–Milan night train, which complements this daytime route.
What Italo is launching on 14 April 2026
The official announcement, unveiled in Lyon earlier in the year, confirms three main Italo flows on the new corridor:
- Milan ↔ Lyon Part-Dieu (via Turin and Chambéry) — the headline international service
- Turin ↔ Lyon Part-Dieu — a regional cross-border pair
- Milan ↔ Chambéry — useful for the French Alps and onward connections to the ski resorts
The first phase uses the historical Fréjus tunnel and the existing high-speed line on the Italian side (Torino–Milano). The service is expected to scale up to up to 15 daily train pairs once the new Turin–Lyon high-speed line (with the Mont Cenis base tunnel) opens, planned for 2033 by Tunnel Euralpin Lyon Turin (TELT).
Timetable, journey time and rolling stock
In the current first phase, the service runs three return trips per day in each direction, with the following indicative pattern:
| Route | Departure | Arrival | Journey time | |-------|-----------|---------|--------------| | Milan Porta Garibaldi → Lyon Part-Dieu | morning, midday, late afternoon | evening of the same day | about 4h 40min | | Lyon Part-Dieu → Milan Porta Garibaldi | morning, midday, late afternoon | evening of the same day | about 4h 40min | | Turin Porta Susa → Lyon Part-Dieu | three daily | same day | about 3h 20min |
Italo uses its standard fleet of Alstom AGV 575 trainsets — the same tilting, 300 km/h capable units already familiar to passengers on the Milan–Rome and Venice routes. Onboard, passengers find the usual Italo classes: Smart (Economy), Comfort (Premium) and the Salotto (Club executive). Free Wi-Fi, power sockets and a café-bar are part of the standard package.
Fares and how to book
According to official Italo data, one-way fares between Turin and Lyon Part-Dieu start from around €29.90 in Smart class, with full-flex Comfort tickets in the €60–€90 range. Milan–Lyon fares sit slightly higher because of the extra leg.
- Italo Smart (Economy): from €29.90 one-way
- Italo Comfort (Premium): from €59.90 one-way
- Italo Salotto (Club, single or double occupancy): from €99.90 one-way
Bookings are open at italospa.italo.com and via the Italo app, with a typical booking horizon of 4–6 months. As with all Italo services, fares rise sharply in the final 14 days before departure, so early booking is essential for the cheapest tickets.
Why this matters for European rail
The 14 April 2026 launch is a milestone for European rail competition. Until now, the Milan–Paris and Milan–Lyon corridors were dominated by the FS Group's Trenitalia (through its Frecciarossa and TGV services) in partnership with SNCF. Italo's entry means, for the first time, a private company runs scheduled high-speed trains across the French–Italian border.
Italo's longer-term plan, confirmed by CEO Luca Stefanato, is to operate:
- 5 daily trains Milan–Lyon
- 5 daily trains Milan–Paris
- 5 daily trains Turin–Paris
- and eventually Milan–Barcelona and Milan–Marseille extensions
That would make Italo the first pan-European private high-speed network, replicating its Italian success on the continent's busiest axes.
What it means for travellers
For travellers, the launch adds a third competitive option on the cross-border corridor alongside TGV inOui, TGV Lyria and Trenitalia's Frecciarossa. That should push prices down and frequency up, especially in the busy summer and Christmas windows.
From a Gopaxo comparison perspective, the most useful routes to compare are:
- Paris ↔ Milan (Italo vs. TGV inOui vs. Trenitalia)
- Paris ↔ Turin (Italo vs. TGV inOui)
- Lyon ↔ Milan (Italo vs. Frecciarossa/TGV)
- Lyon ↔ Turin (Italo vs. regional TGV)
You can also factor in onward connections: Lyon Part-Dieu is a TGV and TER hub for southern France, while Milano Porta Garibaldi links directly to the Italian high-speed network (Rome, Venice, Naples) via Frecciarossa and other Italo services. To plan the connecting French leg, our SNCF guide explains fares, Carte Avantage and reservation rules on the home side.
Frequently asked questions
When did Italo start Milan–Lyon services?
Italo launched its first Milan–Lyon services on 14 April 2026, becoming the first private operator to run high-speed trains on the Turin–Lyon corridor. Three return trips per day are planned for the first phase, scaling up to 15 daily pairs when the new Mont Cenis base tunnel opens.
How long does the train from Milan to Lyon take?
In the first phase using the historical Fréjus line, the journey takes about 4 hours 40 minutes end to end. That should drop closer to 2 hours once the new Turin–Lyon high-speed line opens around 2033.
How much is an Italo ticket from Turin to Lyon?
Economy (Italo Smart) fares start from around €29.90 one-way. Comfort (Premium) is roughly €59.90 and Salotto (Club) is around €99.90. Booking 4–6 weeks ahead usually gets the cheapest advance tickets.
Where does the Italo train stop in France?
In the current first phase, the only French stop is Chambéry (gateway to the French Alps and ski resorts), before the trains reach Lyon Part-Dieu. Once the full high-speed line opens, additional stops such as Chambéry and Bourg-en-Bresse are expected.
Can I use an Interrail or Eurail pass on Italo?
No. Italo is a private operator and is not part of the Interrail/Eurail network. Interrail and Eurail passes continue to be valid on Trenitalia, SNCF, TGV inOui and other participating operators. To travel on Italo you need a regular paid Italo ticket.
Will Italo run trains from Milan to Paris?
Not yet. Milan–Paris service is part of Italo's planned second-phase network, expected after the new Turin–Lyon line is fully operational. Until then, Milan–Paris is served by TGV inOui and Trenitalia Frecciarossa.
In summary
- Italo (NTV) became the first private operator to run high-speed trains on the Milan–Turin–Lyon corridor on 14 April 2026.
- Three daily return trips link Milano Porta Garibaldi, Torino Porta Susa, Chambéry and Lyon Part-Dieu, in about 4h 40min.
- Fares start from €29.90 in Smart class, with Comfort from around €59.90 and Salotto from €99.90.
- Italo plans to scale up to 15 daily trains once the new Mont Cenis base tunnel opens, and to extend services to Paris, Barcelona and Marseille.
- Italo is a private operator — Interrail and Eurail passes are not accepted on these services.
- Compare the new Italo options with Trenitalia, TGV inOui and TGV Lyria on Gopaxo.
