How to get to Lyon

Lyon is one of the largest cities in France, and it’s a historical and cultural center that’s well worth a visit. Although the distance between Paris and Lyon is quite impressive (511 km), there are several ways to get there.

To Lyon by plane

You can fly to Lyon with a direct flight. You can also get connecting flights in Brussels or Paris, which may be more convenient, even if the duration of the trip increases. See all possible flight options on this website.If you have the time, we recommend choosing a long connection 12-24 hours and consider it an extra trip. We have articles that will help you make the most of one day in Paris or Brussels.

» See more – route and map

How to get from the airport to Lyon

Lyon Airport is named after the writer and pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Like all major airports, it is located at a decent distance from the city. You can get to the city center by taxi for 50-55 euros, and it’s a little more expensive at night. You can book a taxi at a fixed price here.

You can also use the Rhônexpress tram service. It departs every 15-30 minutes, depending on the time of day, and it takes half an hour to get to the center of Lyon, at the main train station Lyon Part Dieu.

The ticket costs 15.2 euros, or 26.7 round trip. (For young people 12-25 years old, the fare is less: 13.6 one way and 24 round trip). You can buy a ticket from a special machine in the airport terminal; it will be valid for 45 minutes after purchase. This ticket must be presented to the controller on the tram.

You can buy express tram tickets 2 months before your trip on the airport’s official website and save another €5.

There are no regular bus routes from the airport to the city.

» See more – city districts

How to get from Paris to Lyon

By train

Lyon can be easily reached by train from Paris. The high-speed TGV train will cover the distance between cities in 2 hours. It departs from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport every hour and costs between 25 and 126 euros, depending on the level of comfort, season and time of ticket purchase (the earlier you buy, the cheaper).

Trains also run from central Paris to Lyon, leaving from the Gare de Lyon station. It’s also about a 2hour trip and it costs from 30 to 100 euros. Look for train tickets on this convenient website.

By bus

Many European intercity buses run on the Paris-Lyon route. The journey costs from 15 euros (sometimes as low as 9) and takes 6-8 hours. Most of the buses leave from Paris Bercy bus station and arrive at Lyon Perrache station. But there are other routes as well, so please check when booking. You can view all [flixbus:link label:travel options here].

Compared to high-speed trains, buses aren’t as comfortable or fast, and their schedules aren’t as consistent. But if it is more important for you to save money than time, then a bus is a good choice. There is free wi-fi on board, so you’ll at least be able to keep yourself busy.

By car

In Paris (or any other city), you can rent a car and travel around France at your leisure. You can do this directly at the airport or online using this link. The rental price will depend on the class of the car and the rental period.

Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay for gas and tolls, so it can be an expensive mode of travel, but there’s no better way to get to know France.

» See more – Advice for renting a car in France

Welcome to Lyon!