LYS → Lyon Part-Dieu & City Center (Presqu'île) Updated for 2026

How to Get from Lyon Airport (LYS) to Lyon Part-Dieu & City Center

Distance 28 km

Fastest 29 min

From €4.99 - €8.00 (~$5.45 - $8.70)

Top Pick Rhônexpress Tram-Train / BlaBlaCar Coach / Taxi

Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) is located 28 km east of central Lyon. The Rhônexpress tram-train is the fastest premium connection, departing every 15 minutes from the airport TGV station directly to Lyon Part-Dieu station in under 30 minutes for €16.30 online / €17.40 at station (round-trip €28.50 online). Budget travelers can take direct BlaBlaCar / FlixBus coaches to Part-Dieu or Perrache for €4.99 - €8.00 (35-45 min). Taxis cost €50 - €65.

Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) is France's key central-eastern hub and gateway to the Rhône-Alpes gastronomic capital and the Alps. With its futuristic Calatrava-designed TGV rail terminal, rail connections directly to downtown Lyon Part-Dieu are world-class.

All Transfer Options Compared (2026 Fares)

Transport Option	Typical Time	2026 Fare	Frequency	Best For	Booking / Info
Rhônexpress High-Speed Tram-Train Fastest	29 min	€16.30 - 17.40 ~$17.70 - $18.90 / €16.30 - €17.40	Every 15 min	Business travelers, solo visitors, and anyone wanting guaranteed 29-minute transit	See Boarding Steps ↓
BlaBlaCar Bus / FlixBus Long-Distance Coach Cheapest	35–45 min	€4.99 - 8.00 ~$5.45 - $8.70 / €4.99 - €8.00	Every 1-2 hours	Budget travelers, students, and backpackers looking to save money	See Boarding Steps ↓
Official Airport Taxi / Uber Best Overall	25–35 min	€50 - 65 ~$55 - $71 / €50 - €65	Continuous queue	Families, groups of 3-4, and door-to-door hotel delivery	Book Lyon Airport Transfer

Detailed Step-by-Step Transfer Options

Option #1 Fastest

Rhônexpress High-Speed Tram-Train

€16.30 - 17.40 ~$17.70 - $18.90 / €16.30 - €17.40

Travel time 29 min

Frequency Every 15 min

Operating hours 04:25 - 00:00 daily

Where to buy tickets Online at rhonexpress.fr, mobile app, or station automated machines.

Main advantage: Takes exactly 29 minutes; departs every 15 min; smooth ride immune to motorway traffic; free Wi-Fi & power sockets.

Keep in mind: Relatively high single ticket fare (€17.40 station, €16.30 online).

Step-by-step from arrivals:

Follow signs to the "Gare TGV / Rhônexpress" station (5-minute covered walk from terminals).
Scan your mobile QR ticket or buy a ticket at the platform vending machine.
Board the red Rhônexpress tram-train.
Enjoy the smooth 29-minute ride with intermediate stops at Meyzieu and Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie.
Arrive at Lyon Part-Dieu (Villette exit) for instant metro and train connections.

Option #2 Cheapest

BlaBlaCar Bus / FlixBus Long-Distance Coach

€4.99 - 8.00 ~$5.45 - $8.70 / €4.99 - €8.00

Travel time 35–45 min

Frequency Every 1-2 hours

Operating hours 06:00 - 22:30 daily

Where to buy tickets Online in advance via blablacar.fr or flixbus.com.

Main advantage: Significantly cheaper than Rhônexpress (€4.99 - €8.00); drops at Part-Dieu or Perrache.

Keep in mind: Less frequent departures; requires advance online booking; subject to motorway congestion.

Step-by-step from arrivals:

Walk to the long-distance coach terminal (Gare Routière) near Terminal 1.
Show digital ticket QR code to the coach driver.
Stow large bags in the luggage compartment.
Ride to Lyon Part-Dieu or Lyon Perrache.

Option #3 Best Overall

Official Airport Taxi / Uber

€50 - 65 ~$55 - $71 / €50 - €65

Travel time 25–35 min

Frequency Continuous queue

Operating hours 24/7 continuous

Where to buy tickets Join the official taxi rank outside Terminal 1.

Main advantage: Direct doorstep delivery anywhere in Lyon; economical for groups of 3 or 4.

Keep in mind: Subject to highway rush-hour delays on the A43 entering Lyon.

Step-by-step from arrivals:

Follow taxi signage out of Terminal 1 to the covered queue.
Board the next licensed taxi.
Pay driver via credit card or cash upon arrival.

Book Lyon Airport Transfer

ARRIVAL CONNECTIVITY & RIDE-HAILING TIP

Need Mobile Data at the Terminal for Uber / Bolt & Maps?

Airport Wi-Fi often drops outside the terminal curb where Uber / Bolt pickup zones are located. Install a local eSIM before your flight so you can order a ride, translate station signs, and show digital train QR tickets immediately after landing.

Get France eSIM on Airalo →Compare France Airport eSIM on Klook →

STRESS-FREE DOOR-TO-DOOR OPTION

Prefer a Driver Waiting at Lyon (LYS) Arrivals?

Traveling with heavy suitcases, young children, or landing after midnight? Pre-book a fixed-price private airport transfer or express rail pass on Klook with instant confirmation and no meter haggling.

Check Lyon Transfers & Rail Passes on Klook →View Airport & City Hotels on Klook →

Tickets, Luggage & Late-Night Arrivals

How Tickets & Payments Work

Buy Rhônexpress tickets (€16.30 online, €17.40 at machines) at rhonexpress.fr, on the Rhônexpress app, or at platform automated machines. BlaBlaCar bus tickets must be booked online via blablacar.fr or flixbus.com.

Traveling with Suitcases

Rhônexpress vehicles are modern tram-trains with low floors, generous luggage bays, electrical power outlets, and free Wi-Fi.

Arriving After Midnight

The Rhônexpress operates from 04:25 to 00:00 midnight daily. For late-night arrivals, official taxis and Uber operate 24/7 outside Terminal 1 and 2.

Common Mistakes & Airport Scams to Avoid

Buying Rhônexpress tickets on the train from the conductor—an onboard surcharge of €4.00 applies; always buy online or at station kiosks before boarding.
Assuming Rhônexpress stops at Presqu'île (Place Bellecour)—it terminates at Lyon Part-Dieu; transfer to Metro B or Metro A to reach Bellecour or Old Lyon.
Not booking BlaBlaCar bus tickets ahead of time if traveling on a budget—last-minute coach seats often sell out.
Rhônexpress tickets are significantly cheaper when pre-purchased online (€15.20 vs €16.70 at station machines). Taxis to central Lyon cost a regulated ~€50-€65 by day and €65-€80 at night.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long does the Rhônexpress take from Lyon Airport to Part-Dieu?

The Rhônexpress tram-train takes precisely 29 minutes from the airport TGV station to Lyon Part-Dieu.

How much is a taxi from Lyon Airport to downtown Lyon?

An official taxi or Uber costs roughly €50 to €65 during daytime and €65 to €80 at night and on Sundays.