Plan for a point to point ticket between Lausanne and Paris costing between $150 and $250, depending on which class of travel you choose. Prices for children are generally about half the price of the adult ticket. Prices also vary depending on what time of day--and the day of the week--you travel.
Book a Eurail France Railpass if you anticipate traveling by rail often throughout France after you arrive from Lausanne. The pass will enable you to travel within France on multiple occasions over a period of time and give you unlimited travel on France's national railway.
Check out the Virtual Tour on the Rail Europe website. It will give you pictures and video of passenger cars, dining cars and different classes of seats, as well as other relevant information about your trip. Do this before you book your tickets.
Utilize senior and group discounts, especially if you are traveling in a group over 10. Be sure to click on the 'Group Travel' or 'Rail Passes' tabs on the home page of the Rail Europe website.
Show up 30 minutes early at the Lausanne train station if checking luggage. You can come later if you have no luggage or are carrying your bags on, but remember that trains in Europe are very punctual, especially in Switzerland, home of sophisticated watchmaking.
Take in the atmosphere of the Gare de Lyon train station in Paris. You can enjoy a meal at the Le Train Bleu restaurant and enjoy the station's famous 'Belle Epoque' interior, created in 1901. The station was named a historic monument in 1972.
