I know how it feels to plan a trip and suddenly realize you have no idea how to get from Lyon Airport to the city center. You’re landing in a place that’s new to you, you’re trying to make the right choice, and you just want the arrival to feel smooth. That’s exactly why I put this guide together: so you can see the options clearly and feel prepared before you even step off the plane.
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Getting from Lyon Airport to Lyon city center
Lyon Saint Exupéry sits well outside the city (around twenty five kilometres from Lyon), so getting into Lyon takes a bit of planning. The airport is modern, but the transport options aren’t always obvious when you step outside the terminal.
• Rhonexpress is the fastest way into the city. It runs often and goes straight to Part Dieu without transfers.
• Public transport is the cheapest option. It uses a bus and a tram, and the transfers add time. It works, but it isn’t designed around airport travel.
• Budget buses are simple when the timing matches your flight. Their schedules don’t always line up, especially early morning or late at night.
Note: Late night arrivals limit your choices. Public transport stops early, and some budget buses do not run at night. Rhonexpress may still operate depending on the hour, and when it does, it is the simplest public route.
If your flight lands after the last departure, taxi or a private driver are the most reliable options because they run at all hours and take you straight to Part Dieu or your hotel.
Below are the detailed routes from Lyon Saint Exupery:
Rhonexpress
Rhonexpress is the dedicated airport train that links Lyon Saint Exupery to Part Dieu. It is a private airport service with its own platform, schedule, and pricing. It is not part of the city transport network, and it runs directly between the airport and the city without transfers.
What to know: The train runs toward Lyon and stops first at Meyzieu, then at Vaulx en Velin, before arriving at Part Dieu.
Where to find it in the airport
The Rhonexpress platform is outside Terminal 1. After leaving arrivals, follow the red Rhonexpress signs. They lead you across a short outdoor walkway to the dedicated platform. The signs are clear, but first timers often take a moment to reach it.
How to book
You can buy tickets online on the Rhonexpress website. This is the simplest option. You can also buy tickets at the airport, but the machines sometimes reject foreign cards.
Top tip: Save on transportation with the standard Lyon City Card Airport Transfer. It includes a return Rhônexpress ticket between Lyon Saint Exupery and Part Dieu, free public transport in Lyon & free entry to 20+ museums and attractions. I talk about why it’s a real LIFESAVER here.
Important: Rhônexpress/ airport transfer is not included in the standard Lyon City Card. If you want the airport transfer covered, you must choose the Lyon Airport Transfer City Card, which includes a return trip between Lyon Saint Exupery and Part Dieu.
What nobody tells you about the Rhone express:
- It is not a city tram Many visitors think it is part of the tram network. It is not. It is a private airport train with separate pricing and rules.
- The walk from the terminal is longer than expected The platform is outside the main building. You follow signs, cross a walkway, and reach the dedicated station.
- The machines can be unreliable for foreign cards Buying online avoids this problem.
- If Rhonexpress is disrupted, the replacement bus is slower It does not happen often, but when it does, the bus takes longer and feels less comfortable.
- Part Dieu is busy and confusing for newcomers The station has many exits. It may take a moment to orient yourself once you arrive.
- The price feels high The cost is higher than public transport.
- The reliability makes the price easier to accept Many travelers prefer it because it avoids transfers and delays.
Public transport
Public transport is the cheapest way to reach Lyon from the airport. It uses the regular TCL bus and the city tram. The route works well if you know Lyon, but it feels long and unfamiliar for first timers.
Where to find it in the airport
The public transport bus stop is outside Terminal 1. After leaving arrivals, follow the signs for TCL buses. The stop is farther from the terminal than the budget buses and Rhonexpress. You walk across the forecourt to reach it.
How the route works
Public transport uses two steps:
- Bus 47 from Lyon Saint Exupery to Meyzieu
- Tram T3 from Meyzieu to Part Dieu
The tram runs frequently, and the connection is simple once you reach Meyzieu. The full trip takes longer than Rhonexpress because of the transfer and the tram stops.
How to book
You buy a standard TCL ticket at the station. One ticket covers both Bus 47 and Tram T3.
Top tip: Save on transportation with the standard Lyon City Card. It gives you unlimited public transport in Lyon and free entry to 20+ museums and attractions. I talk about if it’s WORTH it here.
Note: You pick it up at the Tourist Office in the city after you arrive, so it’s something you use for the rest of your stay in Lyon, not for the airport route. Once you have it, you save time because you won’t need to stop at machines or queue for tickets.
What nobody tells you about public transport:
- Bus 47 is a normal city bus It is not a special airport bus. It looks like any other TCL line.
- The airport bus stop is farther from the terminal The walk can feel longer with luggage.
- The route feels long after a flight The bus and tram are simple, but the transfer adds time.
- The transfer at Meyzieu is easy only if you know Lyon First timers often pause to check signs.
- The tram can feel crowded during peak hours It is a normal city tram, not an airport service.
- The timing depends on the hour of the day The full trip takes longer during busy periods.
- It is the cheapest option The price is low and predictable.
- It is not ideal with heavy luggage The walk, the transfer, and the tram steps feel tiring when you are carrying bags.
Budget buses
Budget buses are the low cost airport shuttles that run between Lyon Saint Exupery and the city. The main companies are FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus. They offer a cheap airport route, but the schedules are limited and seats can sell out.
Where to find them in the airport
The budget bus stop is outside Terminal 1. After leaving arrivals, follow the signs for long distance buses. The stop is shared by several companies, so check the screen for your bus name. The area is easy to reach, but first timers often walk past it because it is not marked as clearly as Rhonexpress.
Where the buses go now
Budget buses no longer use Lyon Perrache. Since early 2026, all long distance buses have moved to a temporary station in Gerland because of major construction work at Perrache. This location will be used for several years.
Address: Gerland International Bus Station 52 avenue Tony Garnier, Lyon 7 Next to Palais des Sports de Gerland.
How to reach the new station
- Metro B: Stade de Gerland
- Tram T1: ENS Lyon Both stops are a short walk from the station.
How to book
You can book tickets online through the FlixBus or BlaBlaCar Bus websites or apps. This is the safest option because seats are limited. Buying at the airport is possible, but buses often fill up during busy hours.
What nobody tells you
- They do not run all day Budget buses have limited hours. They do not cover late night arrivals or very early mornings.
- They can sell out Seats are not guaranteed. Booking ahead is important if you want this route.
- The stop is shared with other buses You must check the screen or the sign to make sure you board the correct one.
- The ride is longer than Rhonexpress The bus makes stops and follows traffic. The timing depends on the hour of the day.
- The arrival point is now Gerland, not Perrache Travelers expecting the old city center drop off often get confused. Gerland is outside the center, so you must plan your onward route.
- They are great for solo travelers and students The price is low, and the route is simple if the timing fits your arrival.
- They are not ideal with heavy luggage The ride is fine, but the wait and the walk to the stop feel longer when you are carrying bags.
Private Driver
A Lyon private driver hire is the easiest way to leave Lyon Saint Exupery because it removes the small steps that feel tiring after a flight. You walk out of arrivals and your driver is already inside waiting with your name.
I don’t know about you but after a long flight I don’t want to wander around looking for signs or figure out which platform I need. I want to leave the terminal and get moving without any extra thinking.
If you want an easy arrival from the moment you land, you can book a private driver transport:
Renting your Own Car
Renting a car is also an option if you plan on exploring outside Lyon or taking day trips. You won’t need a car for the city itself because everything is easy to reach once you arrive. But if you want the flexibility to move around on your own schedule, you can check options here.
Getting from Part Dieu to your destination
For this guide, the city center is Part Dieu. This is the most practical choice. Almost every airport route ends here, and it is the main transport hub for Lyon. When you arrive from the airport, Part Dieu is the point where your trip into the city actually begins.
Below is how to reach the main areas of Lyon from Part Dieu.
• Bellecour is simple to reach. You take metro line A and arrive quickly. The connection is direct and works well at most hours.
• Vieux Lyon requires metro line D. You reach it by taking metro line B or A to Saxe Gambetta, then changing to line D.
• Confluence is reachable by tram. You take tram T1 from Part Dieu and ride to the end of the line.
• Croix Rousse needs metro line C. You take metro line A from Part Dieu to Hotel de Ville, then change to line C.
• Guillotiere is close to Part Dieu. You can take metro line D or tram T1 depending on where you are staying.
• Part Dieu itself is the simplest destination. Rhonexpress takes you directly there. Budget buses also stop nearby.
Note: For a metro map of specific lines and a quick overview of how Lyon’s metro network is structured, I cover everything in my Lyon public transport guide.
How long each option takes
Travel time from Lyon Saint Exupéry depends on the route you choose. The airport is around 25 kilometers (or 16 miles) from Lyon, so every option takes a noticeable amount of time.
• Rhonexpress takes around 30 minutes to reach Part Dieu. The ride is direct and straightforward. Delays are rare, and the schedule stays consistent throughout the day.
• Public transport takes longer. You deal with a bus and a tram, and the waiting times add extra minutes. The full trip can take between 50-70 minutes.
• Budget buses vary. When the timing matches your flight, the ride into Lyon takes around 40 minutes. If you arrive early or late, you may wait longer for the next departure.
• Taxi or Private driver takes around 30-40 minutes depending on traffic. The route is direct, and you reach Part Dieu or your hotel without transfers.
Which option is best for different travelers
Different travelers need different things, and the airport sits far from Lyon, so the simplest routes matter more when you are tired or carrying bags.
• First time visitors Take Rhonexpress or a private driver. Both are direct and easy to follow after a flight.
• Budget travelers Public transport or budget buses cost the least, but they take longer and may involve transfers.
• Heavy luggage Choose Rhonexpress or a private driver. Both avoid transfers and keep the arrival simple.
• Solo travelers Rhonexpress is the simplest public route and easy to follow.
• Late night arrivals Use a taxi or a private driver. Public transport and budget buses stop early.
• Families Rhonexpress and private drivers work best. They are steady, predictable, and easy to manage with children and bags.
• People who want no transfers Choose Rhonexpress or a private driver.
What nobody tells you about getting from Lyon Airport to City Center
• The airport is far from Lyon It looks close on a map, but it is not. Every route takes time, and transfers feel longer when you are tired from a flight.
• Part Dieu is the main hub. Most routes end there, so plan your onward metro or tram connection in advance.
• There is no tram or metro at the airport Many visitors expect a simple city line. It does not exist. Every public route starts with a bus or a dedicated airport service.
• Budget buses are not all day They are cheap, but they run on limited hours. They work well when the timing fits, but they do not cover late arrivals.
• Late night travel is limited. Check your arrival time carefully. Some routes stop early, and you may need to switch to a taxi.
• Public transport feels longer than it looks The transfers are easy on paper. They are not easy with luggage, kids, or after a late flight.
• Rhonexpress is not perfect, but it is predictable It is the most stable public option. You board, you sit, you arrive. That consistency matters more than people expect.
• Private car hire is not only for luxury It is the simplest door to door option. For tired arrivals, heavy luggage, or families, a private driver removes any step that feels complicated.
Where to Stay in Lyon:
Note: Hotels outside Lyon might look cheaper at first. But I don’t believe in spending more than 30 minutes commuting for a hotel.
Plus, I hate wasting the day commuting- I lose too much time going back and forth and it eats into the hours I actually want to spend exploring.
I find the good hotels in the center fill up fast so be sure to book your stay early.
Search for Accommodation in Lyon, France
My Top pick Hotels in Lyon:
❤️️ Luxury: Hotel Boscolo: It is better value than the famous hotel in Hotel Dieu of similar standing- I have stayed in both. The rooms are also designed on the Petit Prince theme. Uhh who can resist.
❤️️ Best for families: Warwick Reine Astrid – Lyon (great if you’re 5 ppl with kitchenette- also good if you have dietary restrictions and need a kitchenette to cook.
❤️️ Best Mid-range: Mercure Lyon Plaza Republique. (My honest opinion)
❤️️ Budget & Quirky Hotel: Hôtel Le Boulevardier
Still not sure where to stay? You can read about my recommended Lyon family hotels and hotels in the city center.
Quick decision guide
When arriving from Lyon airport to Lyon city center:
- Choose your driver if you want the easiest, stress-free route.
- Take Rhonexpress if you want the fastest public option.
- Use public transport if you want the cheapest route.
- Pick budget buses if the schedule matches your arrival.
