Quick answer
Two direct trains run from Milan to Paris Gare de Lyon in about 7 hours: Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa from Milano Centrale (twice a day) and SNCF’s TGV INOUI from Milano Porta Garibaldi (three times a day). All direct trains are suspended until 9 October 2026 for engineering works and run again from 10 October. Booked a few weeks ahead, Frecciarossa fares started at €69.
Timetables and fares below were checked on 5 October 2026 on Trenitalia’s booking engine, Trenitalia France’s timetable and SNCF’s published timetable data. Fares change every day, so use them as a guide to what you will see when you search.
Are trains running between Milan and Paris now?
Not until 10 October 2026. Trenitalia France has suspended all international trains between France and Italy from 12 September to 9 October inclusive because of engineering works on both sides of the border. SNCF’s timetable has no TGV to or from Milan in the same period. Both operators have trains on sale from 10 October.
The line through the Fréjus tunnel and the Maurienne valley was closed for a longer time after a landslide in August 2023, and direct trains came back in spring 2025. Works still close it for a few days or weeks at a time, so if your trip is more than a month away, check the operator’s site again a week before you travel.
If you need to go during a closure, the routes through Switzerland below keep running.
How long the train from Milan to Paris takes
Both operators run high-speed trains on the same line: west to Turin, through the Alps under the Fréjus pass, then Modane, Chambéry and on to Paris Gare de Lyon. The trip takes about 7 hours.
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The morning TGV INOUI from Paris to Milan leaving Modane, the French border station, in August 2026.
| Frecciarossa (Trenitalia) | TGV INOUI (SNCF) | |
|---|---|---|
| Milan station | Milano Centrale | Milano Porta Garibaldi |
| Direct trains per day | 2 | 3 |
| Journey time | 6h43 to 6h57 | 7h04 to 7h18 |
| Stops | Turin Porta Susa, Oulx, Modane, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Chambéry, Lyon Part-Dieu | Turin Porta Susa, Oulx, Modane, Chambéry, Mâcon (some trains) |
| Paris station | Gare de Lyon | Gare de Lyon |
The Frecciarossa is the only one of the two that stops in Lyon, at Part-Dieu, so take it if you want to break the trip there.
Milan to Paris train times
These are the direct trains from 10 October to 12 December 2026.
| Train | Leaves Milan | Arrives Paris | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frecciarossa 9292 | 6:25am, Centrale | 1:22pm | Daily |
| TGV INOUI | 6:00am, Porta Garibaldi | 1:18pm | Daily |
| TGV INOUI | 12:10pm, Porta Garibaldi | 7:14pm | Weekends |
| TGV INOUI | 2:10pm, Porta Garibaldi | 9:14pm | Weekdays |
| Frecciarossa 9296 | 3:53pm, Centrale | 10:36pm | Daily |
| TGV INOUI | 4:10pm, Porta Garibaldi | 11:14pm | Daily |
From Paris, the Frecciarossa leaves Gare de Lyon at 6:30am on weekdays and 7:30am at weekends (arriving at Centrale at 1:50pm or 2:07pm) and at 3:25pm every day (10:07pm). The TGV INOUI leaves at 6:46am daily, 9:46am at weekends or 12:46pm on weekdays, and 2:48pm daily, arriving at Porta Garibaldi about 7 hours later.
On a few dates (11, 17 and 18 October and 14 November) SNCF’s timetable shows longer TGV trips with different times, so check yours when you book. Both operators change their timetables on 13 December: from that date the Frecciarossa leaves Centrale at 6:19am and 3:49pm, with the same arrival times, and TGV times move by a few minutes.
How much the Milan to Paris train costs
Trenitalia France sells one fare type, Serenità, and the price rises as the train fills up. These were the cheapest Frecciarossa fares from Milan on 5 October 2026, one adult, one way:
| Travel date | 6:25am train | 3:53pm train |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 10 October (5 days ahead) | €145 | €99 |
| Tuesday 13 October | €89 | €69 |
| Saturday 17 October | €99 | €89 |
| Tuesday 10 November (5 weeks ahead) | €69 | €79 |
| Saturday 5 December | €195 | €99 |
The pattern is clear: weekdays and the afternoon train are cheaper, and the first Saturday in December costs nearly three times a November Tuesday. In the other direction, Paris to Milan cost €63 on Tuesday 10 November.
The Serenità fare can be changed for free until departure (you pay any difference in price) and refunded until departure with 20% held back. Children under 4 travel free on an adult’s lap, and children aged 4 to 14 pay half.
The TGV INOUI is priced the same way. SNCF Connect’s fare calendar on 5 October 2026 showed the cheapest second-class TGV seat from Milan at €49 on Monday 12 to Wednesday 14 October, €74 on the restart weekend of 10 and 11 October and €134 to €169 on the weekends of 23 to 25 October and 30 October to 1 November.
How far ahead to book. On 5 October 2026 Trenitalia was selling Frecciarossa seats up to early January 2027, about three months ahead. The holiday dates were already dear (€145 on 27 December and 2 January) while other dates in mid-December and early January were still €45 to €69. Compare both trains for your date: Trainline shows Frecciarossa and TGV times side by side, usually with a booking fee, or book direct on trenitalia.com and sncf-connect.com.
Which station: Milano Centrale or Porta Garibaldi
The Frecciarossa leaves from Milano Centrale, Milan’s main station, on the green M2 and yellow M3 metro lines. You pass ticket gates to reach the platforms, and the station has luggage storage and food; our Milano Centrale guide explains how it works.
The TGV INOUI leaves from Milano Porta Garibaldi, two stops from Centrale on the green M2, or on the lilac M5 (Garibaldi FS station). It is a smaller station next to the Porta Nuova towers.
The main entrance of Milano Porta Garibaldi, where the TGV INOUI to Paris leaves.
Check the station on your ticket the night before. If you stay near Centrale for an early train, see our list of hotels near Milano Centrale, and our Milan metro guide covers tickets for the ride across town.
On board: classes, food and luggage
The Frecciarossa on the Paris line has three classes: Standard, Business (first-class seats with a welcome snack at your seat) and Executive, plus a Sala Meeting room for 2 to 5 people. Wi-Fi is free in every class and there is food on board, with vegetarian and gluten-free options.
You can bring two suitcases of up to 80 x 50 x 31 cm and one small bag that fits under the seat, free of charge. Trenitalia France requires a name tag on every bag.
The TGV INOUI has first and second class, free Wi-Fi, power sockets, a café-bar car and family areas.
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The main hall of Paris Gare de Lyon, where both direct trains from Milan arrive.
Both trains arrive at Paris Gare de Lyon, in the 12th arrondissement, so you step off the train inside the city.
Via Switzerland: the alternative route
When the direct line is closed, or the direct trains are full, you can go through Switzerland. A EuroCity from Milano Centrale takes you to Basel, Lausanne, Zurich or Geneva, where you change to a TGV Lyria to Paris Gare de Lyon. On Tuesday 10 November 2026 the options were:
| Leave Milan | Change at | Arrive Paris | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:10am | Basel | 3:38pm | 8h28 |
| 8:10am | Lausanne | 4:04pm | 7h54 |
| 9:10am | Zurich | 5:38pm | 8h28 |
| 11:10am | Basel | 7:38pm | 8h28 |
Connections like these were also on sale for 6 October, during the closure of the direct line. Trenitalia’s site shows the connections but not a combined price, so price them on a booking engine or book the EuroCity and the TGV Lyria separately. The Zurich option uses the same EuroCity as our Milan to Zurich guide. On the direct line you could also stop for a night in Turin, under an hour from Milan; see our Milan to Turin guide.
Rail passes
An Italy rail pass does not cover France, so you need an Interrail Global Pass for this trip. Seat reservations are compulsory and paid on top: €13 on the Frecciarossa in Standard or Business, €31 in second class or €45 in first on the TGV INOUI, and €25 or €35 on the TGV Lyria via Switzerland. With fares from €69 booked ahead, a pass day plus the reservation only pays off if you book late.
Train or plane from Milan to Paris
The flight is shorter in the air, but the train runs from city center to city center. You board in central Milan and get off in central Paris, with no check-in and no airport security line.
If you fly, add the trip to the airport. Linate is 12 minutes from the center on the M4 metro for €2.20, and the Malpensa Express takes 51 to 57 minutes from Centrale for €15; our guides to Linate and Malpensa have the timetables. In Paris you then need to get from Charles de Gaulle or Orly into the city.
The train also gives you the Alps: after Turin the line climbs to Oulx and Modane, goes under the Fréjus pass and comes down the Maurienne valley to Chambéry. If you have the time, take the morning train and spend the afternoon in Paris. There is no night train on this route, so the last direct departure is the 4:10pm TGV from Porta Garibaldi.
For more trains out of Milan, see our guides to Lugano and Zurich.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Milan to Paris?
Yes. Trenitalia runs two direct Frecciarossa trains a day from Milano Centrale and SNCF runs three TGV INOUI trains a day from Milano Porta Garibaldi, all to Paris Gare de Lyon. All direct trains are suspended from 12 September to 9 October 2026 for engineering works and restart on 10 October.
Is there a high-speed train from Milan to Paris?
Yes, both direct trains are high-speed trains. Trenitalia's Frecciarossa 1000 leaves Milano Centrale twice a day and SNCF's TGV INOUI leaves Milano Porta Garibaldi three times a day, both reaching Paris Gare de Lyon in about 7 hours.
How long is the train from Milan to Paris?
About 7 hours. The Frecciarossa takes 6 hours 43 minutes on the 3:53pm train and 6 hours 57 minutes on the 6:25am train. The TGV INOUI takes 7 hours 4 minutes to 7 hours 18 minutes.
How much is the train from Milan to Paris?
On 5 October 2026 the cheapest Frecciarossa fare was €69 for Tuesdays in October and November and €145 for a Saturday five days ahead. SNCF's cheapest TGV INOUI fares in October ranged from €49 on 12 to 14 October to €169 on the last weekend of the month.
Which station does the Milan to Paris train leave from?
The Frecciarossa leaves from Milano Centrale. The TGV INOUI leaves from Milano Porta Garibaldi, two stops from Centrale on the green M2 metro line. Both arrive at Paris Gare de Lyon.
Is there a sleeper train from Milan to Paris?
No. Neither Trenitalia nor SNCF runs a sleeper or any overnight train on this route. The last direct train leaves Milan at 4:10pm and arrives in Paris at 11:14pm.
How far in advance can I book the Milan to Paris train?
About three months. On 5 October 2026 Trenitalia was selling Frecciarossa tickets up to early January 2027. The cheapest fares go first, so book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Can I use a rail pass from Milan to Paris?
Only a pass that covers both Italy and France, such as the Interrail Global Pass. The seat reservation is compulsory and costs extra, €13 on the Frecciarossa and €31 in second class on the TGV INOUI.
Is it better to fly or take the train between Milan and Paris?
The train goes from city center to city center in about 7 hours with no airport transfers or security lines. A flight is shorter in the air, but you add the trip to Linate or Malpensa and from Charles de Gaulle or Orly into Paris, so the train often makes more sense if you want to see the Alps on the way.