Lyon airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs

Four ways cover almost every arrival: the Rhônexpress tram-train, a taxi, a regional bus, or a hire car. The table gives the shape of each; detail follows below.

Rhônexpress is a dedicated tram-train linking the airport with Gare Part-Dieu, with a stop at Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie for metro line A. It runs on its own track, so it is not affected by city traffic. Journey time is about 30 minutes to Part-Dieu.

Buy at the machine or online before boarding; the fare is about €17 one way and about €28 return in 2026, and tickets are valid for a set period rather than a specific departure. Trains run from early morning until around midnight, roughly every 15–30 minutes, with a gap in the small hours. Confirm the first and last departure for your date, since these shift with the season.

At Part-Dieu you are inside the main TGV and regional station, with metro B, tram lines and buses on the doorstep. If your hotel is in Presqu'île or Vieux Lyon, add 10–15 minutes by metro or a short taxi ride.

Taxis wait outside the terminal and charge a metered fare; expect about €60–80 to central Lyon in normal traffic, more at night or with heavy luggage. The run takes 30–40 minutes outside peak hours and can stretch past an hour on weekday mornings.

Ride-hailing apps work at the airport but pick-up points are signposted away from the taxi rank, so follow the app's instructions rather than the taxi signs. For a group of three or four with bags, a taxi is often cheaper per person than four Rhônexpress tickets.

Regional coaches connect the airport with Lyon and with towns in the east of the region, usually for about €10–15 and 45–60 minutes. They are the cheapest option but run less often, and some drop off at outer points rather than the centre, so check where your stop lands before booking.

The airport has its own TGV station on the high-speed line, which matters if you are heading to the Alps, Paris or Marseille without stopping in Lyon. If you are collecting a hire car, desks are in the terminal; you will need it for the Alps, Beaujolais or Ardèche, but not for a city stay, where parking and the low-emission zone rules add cost and hassle. See France getting around for the wider picture.

Figures are 2026 estimates and move with season and demand. A solo traveller on a daytime flight should budget about €17 each way on Rhônexpress; a couple with bags should compare a €60–80 taxi against two return tram tickets.

Fares and timetables on this page are 2026 estimates based on operator information and cross-checked against public transport references. Confirm the day's first and last Rhônexpress departure and current taxi tariffs before you travel, since both change.