Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport

Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport (LYS), named after the French aviator and author Antoine de Saint-Exupery, is the fourth-largest airport in France and the primary gateway to the Rhone-Alpes region. Located approximately 25 km east of Lyon city center, the airport serves as a hub for Transavia France and handles over 11 million passengers annually.

The airport has two terminals connected within a single building complex, designed by the renowned architect Santiago Calatrava:

• Terminal 1: Main terminal handling most airlines including Air France, easyJet, and international carriers
• Terminal 2: Low-cost carrier terminal, primarily Transavia and some Vueling flights

Both terminals are connected airside and share a single main building with a distinctive bird-like design. The airport's architectural centerpiece is the TGV railway station, also designed by Calatrava, featuring a dramatic wing-shaped roof.

Lyon-Saint Exupery is strategically positioned with direct TGV high-speed train connections, making it accessible not only to Lyon but also to cities across southeastern France and into Switzerland.

Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport is located 25 km east of Lyon city center, with the Rhonexpress tram providing a direct connection to the city's main railway station.

Typical travel times:

• Lyon Part-Dieu Station: 30 minutes by Rhonexpress
• Lyon city center by taxi: 25-40 minutes (traffic dependent)
• Grenoble: 1 hour by bus
• Chambery: 1 hour by bus

The airport has a combined train and tram station directly connected to the main terminal building.

Uber

Uber operates at Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport.

• Pickup location: Follow signs to rideshare pickup area outside arrivals (Level 0)
• Services available: UberX, Uber Comfort, Uber Green
• Fares to city center: EUR 45-65 depending on destination and demand

Taxi

Licensed taxis queue outside the arrivals hall. Lyon taxis are metered.

Destination	Fare	Time
Lyon Part-Dieu	EUR 55-70	25-35 min
Lyon Perrache	EUR 60-80	30-40 min
Lyon city center (Presqu'ile)	EUR 55-75	25-40 min
Grenoble	EUR 180-220	1 hour

Note: Taxis have fixed rates from the airport to Lyon city center (Zone 1). Confirm the rate before departure. Night rates (19:00-07:00) and Sunday/holiday rates are approximately 15% higher.

Rhonexpress (Airport Tram)

The Rhonexpress is a dedicated express tram connecting the airport directly to Lyon Part-Dieu station, the city's main railway hub.

To Lyon Part-Dieu:

1. Follow signs to "Rhonexpress" from arrivals
2. Station is connected to Terminal 1 via covered walkway
3. Journey time: 30 minutes

Ticket Type	Price
Single adult	EUR 16.90
Return (valid 1 month)	EUR 29.40
Youth (12-25) single	EUR 14.50
Group (2-5 adults, single)	EUR 30.00
Online booking discount	10-15% off

Frequency: Every 15 minutes (06:00-21:00) / Every 30 minutes (early morning and late evening) Operating hours: First tram ~05:00, last tram ~00:00

From Part-Dieu: Connect to Lyon Metro (Lines A, B, D), trams, and regional trains. Part-Dieu is Lyon's main TGV station.

TGV High-Speed Train

Lyon-Saint Exupery has its own TGV station (Gare de Lyon-Saint Exupery TGV) with direct high-speed train connections.

Destination	Journey Time	Frequency
Paris Gare de Lyon	2 hours	Multiple daily
Marseille	1h 20min	Several daily
Montpellier	1h 30min	Several daily
Geneva (via connection)	2h 30min	Several daily

Note: Not all TGV services stop at the airport station. Check schedules on SNCF.com.

Buses to Regional Cities

Ouibus/FlixBus and regional buses connect the airport to surrounding cities:

Destination	Journey Time	Operator
Grenoble	1 hour	Ouibus, regional
Chambery	1 hour	Regional bus
Annecy	2 hours	FlixBus
Geneva	2h 30min	FlixBus

Bus stops are located outside Terminal 1, Level 0.

Lyon-Saint Exupery offers multiple parking options with online booking discounts.

Terminal Parking

Facility	Location	Rate
P0 (Drop-off)	Terminal entrance	Free first 15 min, then EUR 3/10 min
P2 (Short-term covered)	Terminal adjacent	From EUR 4.50/hour, EUR 32/day
P3 (Medium-term covered)	3-min walk	From EUR 22/day (online)
P5 (Long-term outdoor)	Free shuttle	From EUR 12/day (online)
P5+ (Economy)	Free shuttle	From EUR 8/day (online)

Tips:

• Book online at lyonaeroports.com for discounts up to 30%
• Electric vehicle charging available in P2
• P5 shuttle runs every 10 minutes

Lyon-Saint Exupery offers dining options befitting France's gastronomic capital, though selection is more limited than larger hubs.

Terminal 1 (Landside)

• Paul: French bakery chain, pastries, sandwiches, coffee
• Brioche Doree: Quick-service French bakery
• Relay Cafe: Coffee and snacks

Terminal 1 (Airside)

• Brasserie L'Est: Lyon's famous brasserie concept, traditional French cuisine
• Comptoir des Voyageurs: Brasserie-style dining, regional specialties
• Be: Modern quick-service, salads and sandwiches
• Exki: Healthy fast food, fresh organic options
• Starbucks: Coffee and light snacks
• McDonald's: Fast food option

Terminal 2 (Airside)

• Pret A Manger: Fresh sandwiches and salads
• Relay Cafe: Coffee and snacks

Budget tip: Paul and Brioche Doree offer reasonably priced authentic French pastries. For the best food, head to Lyon city center after landing.

Free WiFi is available throughout Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport.

Detail	Information
Network name	WiFi Lyon Aeroport
Registration	Accept terms, no email required
Time limit	Unlimited
Speed	Good for browsing, adequate for video calls

Faster connections available in airport lounges.

SIM cards are available at the airport, though French operators' city shops offer better deals.

Airport Locations

• Relay stores: Basic prepaid SIM options in terminals
• Orange boutique: Full-service (check if open; limited hours)
• Tabac shops: May carry SIM cards

French Mobile Carriers

Provider	Prepaid Price	Data
Orange	From EUR 20	10 GB
SFR	From EUR 15	10 GB
Free Mobile	EUR 2/month	50 MB (EUR 19.99 for 150GB)
Bouygues	From EUR 15	10 GB

Tip: For better deals, visit Free Mobile, Orange, or SFR stores in Lyon city center. EU roaming is included on all French SIM cards.

ATMs are located in both terminals in arrivals and departures areas. Major French banks (BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole, Societe Generale) have machines available.

Currency

• France: Euro (EUR)

Currency Exchange

Travelex and ICE currency exchange counters are located in arrivals. Airport exchange rates include significant markups.

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw EUR from ATMs using a no-fee debit card
• France is increasingly cashless; credit/debit cards accepted almost everywhere
• Wise or Revolut for better exchange rates
• Many smaller establishments still prefer cash, especially markets and small shops

Tip: Notify your bank before traveling to avoid card blocks. Contactless payments (including Apple Pay/Google Pay) are widely accepted.

Lyon-Saint Exupery offers standard airport shopping focused on French products and luxury goods.

Duty-Free

• Aelia Duty Free (Terminal 1): Main duty-free operator with French wines, spirits, perfumes, cosmetics, and confectionery
• Tax-free savings: Available for non-EU residents on purchases over EUR 100

French Specialties

• Maison Voisin: Lyon's famous chocolates and pralines (cushion-shaped "coussins de Lyon")
• Cave du Sommelier: French wines, including Cote du Rhone and Beaujolais selections
• Comptoir Lyonnais: Local food products and souvenirs
• L'Occitane: Provencal beauty products

Fashion & Accessories

• FNAC Travel: Electronics, books, travel accessories
• Longchamp: French leather goods
• Lacoste: French fashion brand

Tips

• Non-EU residents can claim VAT refunds (20% French VAT) on purchases over EUR 100
• Best shopping selection is in Terminal 1 airside
• Lyon is famous for silk; look for local silk products

Lyon-Saint Exupery has limited lounge options compared to larger hubs.

Priority Pass Lounges

Espace Business Lounge (Terminal 1, Schengen):

• Location: Airside, near gates in Terminal 1
• Hours: 05:30-21:00
• Access: Priority Pass, Dragon Pass, LoungeKey
• Amenities: Hot and cold buffet, French wines, newspapers, WiFi
• Quality: Modest but well-maintained, can be crowded during peak hours

Airline Lounges

Air France Lounge (Terminal 1):

• Access: Air France/SkyTeam business class, Flying Blue Platinum/Gold
• Hours: Opens 2 hours before first Air France departure
• Amenities: French cuisine, champagne, work areas

Day Pass Options

The Espace Business Lounge offers day passes for approximately EUR 35-40. Book online for potential discounts.

Several hotels are located at or near Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport.

At the Airport

NH Lyon Airport

• Connected to Terminal 1 via covered walkway
• 4-star, 245 rooms
• Restaurant, bar, fitness center
• From EUR 100/night

Ibis Lyon Est Saint-Exupery Aeroport

• 10-minute walk or free shuttle
• 3-star budget option
• From EUR 70/night

Near the Airport

• Novotel Lyon Saint Exupery Aeroport: 4-star, free shuttle, from EUR 90/night
• Premiere Classe Lyon Est Saint Exupery: Budget, free shuttle, from EUR 50/night
• Kyriad Lyon Est Meyzieu: 10 minutes by car, from EUR 60/night

In Lyon City Center (30 minutes by Rhonexpress)

For longer stays or evening arrivals, Lyon's city center offers better value and atmosphere:

• InterContinental Lyon Hotel Dieu: 5-star historic property
• Sofitel Lyon Bellecour: 5-star, central location
• Hotel Le Royal Lyon: 4-star, classic French elegance
• Mama Shelter Lyon: Trendy, affordable design hotel

Lyon is France's third-largest city and widely considered the country's gastronomic capital. The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city offers excellent access to the French Alps for skiing and hiking.

Getting to Key Attractions

Destination	Travel Time	Route
Vieux Lyon (Old Town)	45 min	Rhonexpress + Metro D
Presqu'ile (City Center)	40 min	Rhonexpress + walk/metro
Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere	50 min	Rhonexpress + Metro D + Funicular
Parc de la Tete d'Or	40 min	Rhonexpress + Metro B
Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse	35 min	Rhonexpress + short walk

Lyon Highlights

• Vieux Lyon: One of Europe's largest Renaissance districts, with traboules (hidden passageways)
• Fourviere Hill: Roman amphitheaters, basilica with panoramic views
• Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse: Gourmet food market, the "belly of Lyon"
• Presqu'ile: The peninsula between two rivers, main shopping and dining district
• Confluence: Modern architecture, shopping, and Musee des Confluences

Lyon, Gastronomic Capital

Lyon's culinary reputation is unmatched in France:

• Bouchons Lyonnais: Traditional Lyon restaurants serving local specialties
• Paul Bocuse legacy: The legendary chef's restaurants and influence throughout the city
• Quenelles: Pike dumplings in creamy sauce, a Lyon signature
• Rosette and Saucisson: Lyon charcuterie specialties
• Cervelle de Canut: Herbed fresh cheese (don't worry, it's not actually brains)
• Cote du Rhone wines: The region's excellent wines
• Beaujolais: Just north of Lyon, famous wine region

Must-try experience: Lunch at a traditional bouchon in Vieux Lyon

Alps Access

Lyon is the gateway to the French Alps:

Ski Resort	Distance	Travel Time
Chamonix Mont-Blanc	220 km	2h 30min by car
Val d'Isere/Tignes	220 km	2h 45min by car
Les Trois Vallees (Courchevel, Meribel)	180 km	2 hours by car
Grenoble (Alps gateway)	105 km	1 hour by bus

Winter tip: Ski buses operate from Lyon airport to major resorts during ski season (December-April). Book in advance through operators like Altibus.

Day Trips from Lyon

• Beaujolais Wine Region: 45 min north, wine tasting and villages
• Perouges: 30 min, beautifully preserved medieval village
• Annecy: 2 hours, stunning Alpine lake town
• Vienne: 30 min by train, Roman ruins and jazz festival
• Grenoble: 1 hour, Alpine city with cable car to Bastille fort

Travel Tips

• Purchase a Lyon City Card for unlimited transit and museum entry
• Lyon has an excellent bike-share system (Velo'v)
• Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner (14:00-19:00)
• Sunday most shops are closed; head to Vieux Lyon or Croix-Rousse for open cafes
• Tipping is not required (service included) but rounding up is appreciated