Lyon Saint Exupery Airport (LYS) LYS: Departure times and transfers

Flying from/to Lyon Saint Exupery Airport

If you are planning to fly to/from Lyon Saint Exupery Airport, check out our tips on what’s the best way to travel between the airport and the city center. It’s always good to know, what’s the most convenient way to get to your destination. You can also find some data on the Lyon Saint Exupery Airport facilities and some local tips on the airport itself.

Travel from Lyon to Lyon Saint Exupery Airport

France's second largest city, Lyon is famous around the world for its gastronomy, from andouillette (tripe sausages) to coq au vin - not to mention the fabulous wines of the Rhone Valley. Throughout history, the city also pioneered the silk industry, while playing host to the Lumiere Brothers, recognized as the founders of modern cinema. Lyon Saint Exupery Airport is named after another famous son of the city, this time the author of the "Little Prince." It's easily accessible from central Lyon, thanks to excellent local rail, subway, tram, and bus connections.

What's the best way to get to the airport from central Lyon?

If passengers need to travel to Lyon Saint Exupery airport from central Lyon, a few different options will be worth considering. The fastest and most direct option is to catch Rhonexpress trams from Lyon Part-Dieu Station (the city's premier rail hub). Trams start just after 4:00 a.m. and run until midnight, every day of the year, and include add-ons like WiFi, charging sockets, and luggage compartments. Alternatively, car sharing services like BlaBlaCar serve the route from Villeurbanne and Vennessieux to the departure terminal, while Flixbus runs coaches from Lyon Perrache to Saint Exupery airport , which could be a handy option for those staying in west-central Lyon. As ever, taxis are another possibility, with no shortage of companies providing shuttles to Lyon Airport.

How far is it from Lyon city center to Lyon Saint Exupery Airport?

Lyon Saint Exupery Airport is 18 miles (30 kilometers) east of central Lyon, so transfers will take some time in almost all cases. Villeurbanne is slightly closer to the airport, but is still around 15 miles (27 kilometers) away. Taxis are often the fastest option for transferring to the airport, taking 25-30 minutes from the city's central neighborhoods. Rhonexpress trams won't be much slower, though, reaching the departure terminals at Saint Exupery in just 30 minutes from Part-Dieu station. Car sharing services will take around 30 minutes from the city center, while Flixbus coaches take 40-60 minutes.

What facilities are there at Lyon Saint Exupery Airport?

A wide range of stores can be found inside the departure terminals at Saint Exupery Airport. Options include duty free shops, delicatessens stocking local food and drink, apparel boutiques, stores offering travel essentials, and even nail bars and hair salons. There are plenty of dining options, including American burger joints, French brasseries, cafes, and much more. ATMs and money exchange services can be found inside the terminals, along with left luggage, executive lounges, restrooms, showers, and a pharmacy, if medication is required. Personal assistance for passengers with limited mobility is available, but requests will need to be tabled 48 hours before departures, and step-free access is guaranteed throughout the airport.

How accessible is the route for those with limited mobility?

Getting from Lyon city center to Saint Exupery Airport should pose very few difficulties for wheelchair users or passengers with other mobility issues. Rhonexpress trams are comfortably the best form of transportation to use, as they have been expressly designed with wheelchair users in mind. Access is step-free, cabins are spacious, and assistance can be provided if needed. Braille panels are also provided to assist the visually impaired, and schedule information is provided via audio feeds as well. At the airport end, the Rhonexpress stop is very close to the terminals, too, minimizing the need for difficult transfers. Alternatively, accessible taxis are easy to arrange, including minivans with plenty of capacity for wheelchair users.

Local tips: How to travel to Lyon Saint Exupery airport like a local

Most locals will tell you that Rhonexpress trams are the best way to get from Lyon city center to Saint Exupery Airport. Trams run from Part-Dieu, Vaulx-en-Velin, and Meyzieu, so finding a convenient embarkation point won't be hard. Buses tend to be avoided due to lengthy journey durations, and the cost of taxis makes them less appealing than the city's excellent public transit links. Locals also usually rely on the food and drink options at Saint Exupery, although if they need the finest supplies for their trip, a visit to the Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse (the covered market) near Part-Dieu is always a good idea.