Transfer to/from - Lyon airport (LYS)

 
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Public transportation services, licensed taxis and rideshare, private transfer companies and car rental services in Lyon airport (LYS)

 

 Transportation

 

Transport

The airport offers various transport options to connect with Lyon city centre and other towns in the region, including train, bus, tram and taxi services.

Car-sharing

The airport has a car-sharing terminal located at the exit of the SNCF station, serving as a meeting point for services such as Leo&go and Drivalia. You can book your vehicle via the mobile app of your chosen company.

Tram (Rhônexpress)

The Rhônexpress is an express tram service connecting the airport with Lyon Part-Dieu train station in the city centre. The journey takes 29 minutes, with intermediate stops at Meyzieu ZI and Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie. The service includes free Wi-Fi, power sockets, large luggage racks, air conditioning and a travel assistant on each trip. In the event of a delay exceeding 10 minutes, Rhônexpress offers compensation of 50% of the ticket price (100% if the delay exceeds 20 minutes).

  • Frequency: Every 15–30 minutes.
  • Schedule: Operates every day of the year, from 4:25 am to 12:00 am.
  • Tickets: Available online, from ticket machines at stations, on board (with a surcharge), or at the Rhônexpress sales point in Terminal 1.

Buses

Several bus options connect the airport with different destinations:

Local buses

The buses of Lyon’s metropolitan transport network, TCL, operate several routes from Terminal 1. These lines connect the airport with suburban areas and intermediate stops within Lyon’s transport system, being a more economical option for short journeys.

  • Line 47: To Meyzieu ZI (with connection to tram T3 towards Part-Dieu Villette) and Saint-Laurent-de-Mure Maréchal Juin.
  • Line 48: Connects with Genas Bornicat. The route includes stops at Genas Jean Mermoz, Place Jean Jaurès, Place République and Rond-Point d'Italie.

Intercity buses

The airport provides bus connections to major cities in the region such as Grenoble, Annecy, Chambéry, Clermont-Ferrand, Saint-Étienne, Voiron and Geneva. Available operators include Altibus, FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus.

Tickets can be booked online at the airport’s official shop.

Ski resort transfers

During the winter season, several companies offer direct transfers from the airport to major ski resorts in the French Alps.

  • Companies: Altibus, Ben's Bus, AlpyTransfers, Alpine Fleet.
  • Main destinations: Courchevel, Val Thorens, Tignes, Val d'Isère, Les Deux Alpes, Alpe d'Huez, Méribel, among others.

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Trains (SNCF)

The Lyon Saint-Exupéry TGV train station, directly connected to the terminals via a covered pedestrian walkway (5 minutes on foot), offers high-speed train services to various cities in France and Italy.

  • Destinations: Paris, Marseille, Montpellier, Grenoble, Milan, etc.
  • More information: It is recommended to check schedules and purchase tickets directly on the SNCF website or at the station.

Taxis

Taxi ranks are located outside Terminals 1 and 2. The service operates 24 hours a day. The estimated travel time to Lyon city centre is 25 to 30 minutes (around €50.00–55.00 to the centre). It is advisable to confirm fares with the driver before starting your journey, especially at night, on Sundays and public holidays, when additional charges may apply.

 
 

Latest updates: October 17, 2025

Transportation Tips to/from the airport

Some of these tips may seem obvious, but they are worth keeping in mind when traveling to or from the airport, especially if you are using public transportation.
 
 1 - To the airport: leave a little earlier than usually recommended. If you take a taxi or a private car service, allow for rush hour traffic, demonstrations, strikes or events that could delay your trip. It always helps to check the local news before you leave.
 
If you book a shared shuttle, keep the company's contact number handy in case the pickup is late. These services usually confirm a scheduled pickup time in advance.
 
If you use public transportation (bus or train), check the schedules (weekends and holidays usually have less frequent service), whether you need to transfer, and how to pay the fare (a transit card, or cash to the driver). These details seem obvious, but knowing them ahead of time can save you from a delay that could cause problems.
 
If you drive a rental car to the airport, check where to return it. Many airports have a dedicated rental car return area.
 
 2 - From the airport: this part is less stressful, since there is no risk of missing a flight. At worst, you will reach your hotel or meeting point a little later than planned.
 
Once you leave the plane, collect your baggage and complete any required arrival procedures. Then follow the signs for ground transportation or ask airport staff.
 
Check bus and train schedules in advance if you arrive late at night, since not all services run 24 hours. The same applies to taxis. If you plan to use a ride-hailing app such as Uber, have it ready on your phone to contact the driver.
 
If you booked a private transfer, a driver will usually be waiting for you with a sign. If you are renting a car, booking in advance gives you more peace of mind. Rental counters are usually located in the arrivals hall.

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