Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière
19th-century basilica atop Fourvière hill, with mosaic interiors and views over the whole city.
Lyon, France
Lyon: airports, things to do and where to stay
Lyon, at the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône, is France's third-largest city. Its Renaissance old town is a World Heritage Site and the city is famous for its food.
Lyon airports
From the airport to central Lyon
Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport is about 20 km from central Lyon.
Rhônexpress
Express tram to Lyon Part-Dieu station (metro B) in about 30 min, stopping at Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie and Meyzieu. Runs every 15-30 min.
Gare de Lyon-Saint-Exupéry TGV
High-speed rail station a 2-minute walk from the terminals, with direct trains to cities in France and Italy.
TCL C200
City bus from Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie (metro A); only some services continue to the airport. About 40 min on a standard TCL ticket.
Taxi
Ranks outside the terminals. The ride to central Lyon takes about 30-45 min depending on traffic.
Lyon
Things to do in Lyon
Vieux Lyon
Renaissance quarter on the banks of the Saône, with Saint-Jean cathedral and its famous traboules, passageways through the buildings.
Place Bellecour
One of Europe's largest squares, with the equestrian statue of Louis XIV and views of Fourvière.
Parc de la Tête d'Or
Large city park with a lake, botanical garden, greenhouses and a free zoo.
Musée des Confluences
Science and anthropology museum in a striking glass-and-steel building at the point where the two rivers meet.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport serves Lyon?
Lyon is served by Lyon-Saint Exupéry (LYS).
How far is the airport from central Lyon?
Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport is about 20 km from central Lyon.
How do I get from the airport to central Lyon?
From Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport you can take Rhônexpress (tram), Gare de Lyon-Saint-Exupéry TGV (train), TCL C200 (bus), and Taxi. Pre-booked taxis and private transfers are also available.
What are the must-sees in Lyon?
Highlights of Lyon include Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Vieux Lyon, Place Bellecour, Parc de la Tête d'Or, and Musée des Confluences.
Photo credits
- Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière: Clément Bardot, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Vieux Lyon: Calips, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Place Bellecour: Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Parc de la Tête d'Or: Daderot, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Musée des Confluences: Fred Romero from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons