Transport in Lyon
Directions for Getting Around the City with TCL, Lyon’s public transport system including metros, buses, trams, and funiculars.
Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport is just over 20 miles away from Lyon city centre.
There is no direct bus, tram or metro. The ‘official’ ways to get to and from the airport are the Rhonexpress tram or taxi. Two other ‘non-official’ options exist: Uber or BlaBlaCar and private shuttle services.
2024 prices updated !
The Rhônexpress is tram shuttle service that goes between Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport and Lyon’s Part-Dieu train station. The tram stop can be found in the St Exupery train station.
The shuttle runs every 15 minutes, and will take around 30 minutes.
Full-price tickets cost €16.70/€29.10, with cheaper rates if you buy online or are under 25.
Children under 12 travel free.
Our advice is to get the Lyon City Card! You’ll get:
Tickets can be purchased online, from machines at the airport/tram stops or from the on-board conductor (€4 fee). The machines and conductor accept all major bank cards and cash (euros).
At the Gare de Lyon Part-Dieu, the tram stop is outside the station. But be aware: there are two exits. Follow the signs inside for the Rhônexpress (Porte Alpes) and it will be on your right as you exit. If you find yourself by the metro station, then you need to be on the other side.
When travelling with large suitcases, taxis are the best option. A taxi between the airport and the city centre can cost anywhere between €50-€100, based on the time/day and if you book in advance.
Check out our taxi information to find out where to get a taxi in Lyon.
As with any major city, using taxis in Lyon can be very convenient but comes at a price. The fare starts at €2 with the price per kilometre depending on the time of day.
The minimum price for any journey is €7. Additional costs are applied for those travelling to the airport/train stations (€1.62) or with animals/large baggage (€1.05).
There are three ways to get a taxi:
Uber is a mobile app which allows individuals to book unlicensed drivers for private car journeys. An increasingly popular choice, it allows you to pay online with a credit/debit card and has the added advantage of giving you an estimated fare before you book.
And yes Uber is in Lyon, you’ll find a large supply of Uber drivers in the city, although customer service can vary.
BlaBlaCar is a mobile app-based carpooling. As Lyon airport is a popular destination, there are dozens of journeys offered every day, costing €3-6. This is a great way to meet locals/other travellers, if only for a short time.
Journey times can vary between 30 minutes to over 1 hour. Be sure to factor this into your schedule. It is the driver who decides the departure time and pick-up place, so book early to avoid any issues.
Shuttle services can offer a cheaper alternative to the official channels, and a more reliable alternative to BlaBlaCar. They usually operate between the airport and ZI Meyzieu, a suburb of Lyon which is connected to the city centre by the T3 tram.
One example is Navette Airport which charges around €8/€13 for a single/return trip (not including the ticket for the tram) and must be booked online in advance. The journey will take approximately 10 minutes, and then a further 30 minutes for the tram to the city centre.
Getting around Lyon in a car can be a rather stressful experience, especially as finding parking places often proves to be difficult and costly.
Renting a car is therefore generally not recommended nor needed given the extensive public transport system. However, if it cannot be avoided, then most major car hire companies operate in the city (Europcar, Avis, Sixt, etc.). There are several underground car parks, and most street parking is pay-and-display.
Top tip: most short/medium-stay street parking is free on Sundays, public holidays and all of August.
Directions for Getting Around the City with TCL, Lyon’s public transport system including metros, buses, trams, and funiculars.
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