Lyon is France’s most underrated major city for visitors: a UNESCO World Heritage historic core, the country’s best food scene, and excellent public transport, all without the crowds or prices of Paris. Practical logistics are straightforward, but a few Lyon-specific tips make the difference.
Lyon Travel Tips: Practical Information
Lyon Airport and Transport
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport (LYS) is 25km east of the city. The Rhonexpress tram connects the airport to Lyon Part-Dieu station in 29 minutes, departing every 15 minutes from 06:00 to 21:00 (hourly 04:25 to 06:00 and 21:00 to midnight).
One-way fare: 16.50 EUR online, 17.50 EUR at the platform. Round-trip: 27.80 EUR online. Buy tickets at rhonexpress.fr , the online price is valid for 1 year and saves time at the platform. A taxi from LYS to the Presqu’ile costs 50 to 60 EUR and takes 30 to 45 minutes. Uber operates at LYS with similar pricing.
Getting Around Lyon
Lyon’s TCL network covers 4 metro lines, 6 tram lines, 2 funiculars, and 130 bus routes. A single ticket costs 2 EUR and is valid for 1 hour on all modes including transfers. A 24-hour ticket costs 6.50 EUR, a 48-hour ticket 12.50 EUR. Buy tickets at TCL machines in metro stations (accepts cards and coins) or via the TCL app (e-ticket, scan at validation terminals).
The metro runs from approximately 05:00 to midnight (extended to 02:00 Thursday through Saturday on Lines A and D). The two funiculars (F1 to Saint-Just, F2 to Fourviere) are useful for reaching the hilltop basilica and Roman theatres without climbing.
Velo’v: Lyon’s bike-share system has 428 stations. A 24-hour pass costs 4 EUR, a 3-day pass 6 EUR (first 30 minutes free, then 1 EUR per additional 30 minutes). Download the Velo’v app to find stations and check bike availability. Lyon has 800km of bike lanes and is one of France’s most bikeable cities. The ViaRhona cycle route along the Rhone river is a dedicated path running from Parc de la Tete d’Or to the Confluence district.
Dining in Lyon: Bouchon Etiquette
Lunch is the best-value meal in Lyon. Most bouchons offer a formule midi (set lunch) for 18 to 25 EUR including wine, compared to 30 to 45 EUR for the equivalent dinner menu. Lunch service runs strictly from 12:00 to 14:00 , arriving at 13:30 risks the kitchen being closed.
Dinner starts at 19:30, not earlier. Reserve for dinner, especially Thursday through Saturday. Many bouchons are closed Saturday lunch, all day Sunday, and Monday. Tipping: service is included (service compris) by French law. Leaving 5 to 10% for exceptional service is appreciated but not expected.
Safety in Lyon
Lyon is a safe city. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The Guillotiere district (left bank, around Place Gabriel Peri and the metro station of the same name) has a higher concentration of street-level drug dealing and can feel sketchy after dark , avoid the area around the metro station at night. Pickpocketing occurs on crowded TCL trams and in Vieux Lyon’s Rue Saint-Jean during peak tourist season. The standard precautions apply: cross-body bags, phones in front pockets
bags not on chair backs at outdoor tables.
Lyon Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need in Lyon?
Two full days covers the essentials: Day 1 for Vieux Lyon, Fourviere, and the Presqu’ile; Day 2 for Croix-Rousse and Les Halles market. Add a third day if you want to visit the Confluence museum district, do a wine tour to the Beaujolais or Cotes du Rhone regions, or take a day trip to Annecy (2 hours by train).
Is Lyon a good base for day trips?
Yes. Annecy (2 hours by TER train, 25 EUR return), Perouges (35 minutes by TER, 8 EUR return , a perfectly preserved medieval village), Vienne (20 minutes by TER, 6 EUR return , Roman temple and amphitheatre), and the Beaujolais wine region (30 minutes by car, or train to Belleville-sur-Saone) are all easy day trips.
Check Lyon weather by month and the best time to visit Lyon to plan your dates.
