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About Lyon Saint Exupery Airport

Lyon Saint Exupery Airport is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in the Rhône department, on the commune of Colombier-Saugnieu, around 25 km east of Lyon city center. Opened to civil air traffic in 1975, the airport is operated by Aéroports de Lyon under the VINCI Airports network. It serves as the main air gateway for Lyon and a strategic transport hub for the wider southeast of France, supporting business travel, tourism and regional connectivity.

The airport operates through two main terminals handling both domestic flights and international flights, with modern passenger areas, retail services, restaurants, car parks, road access, a TGV rail station and the Rhônexpress tram link to central Lyon. With annual traffic of around 10 to 11 million passengers and direct links to more than 130 destinations, Lyon Saint Exupery offers solid capacity for year-round operations. Demand is generally stronger during summer leisure months, winter ski travel periods and major business-event seasons, while regular domestic and European traffic keeps the airport active throughout the year.

Airlines operating from Lyon Saint Exupery Airport include major network carriers, regional operators and low-cost airlines such as Air France, easyJet, Transavia, Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM, Iberia and Turkish Airlines. Key direct destinations include Paris, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Nice within France, as well as London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Rome, Istanbul and other European and Mediterranean cities. The airport benefits from balanced demand across corporate travel, city breaks, family visits and seasonal tourism, making it an important starting point for travelers searching for flight tickets to and from the Lyon region.

Lyon Saint Exupery Airport to Lyon City Center Transport

Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport is about 25 km from Lyon city center. Travelers can reach central Lyon by TCL public buses, the Rhônexpress airport shuttle, tram and metro connections, taxi, rental car, or pre-booked private transfer.

Bus

Municipal TCL buses are the most affordable way to travel from Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport to Lyon city center, although they usually require at least one connection. Average journey time to central Lyon is about 60 to 70 minutes, depending on traffic, waiting time, and your final stop.

• TCL line C200: airport services to Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie, with connections to metro line A.
• TCL line 248: airport bus toward Meyzieu Z.I., with connections to tram T3 for Lyon Part-Dieu.
• Typical route to Part-Dieu: airport bus to Meyzieu Z.I., then tram T3 to Gare Part-Dieu Villette.

Airport Shuttle

The main airport shuttle between Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport and Lyon city center is Rhônexpress, sometimes searched for as the former Havas or Havabus airport shuttle. It runs regularly between the airport railway station and central Lyon, with an average journey time of about 30 minutes to Lyon Part-Dieu.

• Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport station.
• Meyzieu Z.I.
• Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie.
• Lyon Part-Dieu.

Metro / Tram

There is no direct metro line from Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport terminals, but tram connections are available. Rhônexpress is the fastest tram-style airport link to Lyon Part-Dieu, while TCL bus connections can link passengers to tram T3 and the Lyon metro network. Average travel time is about 30 minutes by Rhônexpress, or about 60 minutes by TCL bus plus tram.

• Rhônexpress: direct airport link to Lyon Part-Dieu.
• Tram T3: connection from Meyzieu Z.I. to Gare Part-Dieu Villette.
• Metro A: connection available at Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie.
• Metro B: connection available near Lyon Part-Dieu.

Taxi

Taxis are available 24/7 at Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport and are a convenient door-to-door option for hotels, apartments, and business addresses in Lyon city center. The average journey time is about 35 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic and the exact destination.

• Taxi ranks are located outside the airport terminals.
• Useful for late arrivals, heavy luggage, or direct travel to a hotel.
• Travel time may be longer during peak traffic periods.

Car Rental

Car rental is available at Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport for travelers who want flexibility to visit Lyon, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, or nearby Alpine destinations. Rental offices are located at the airport, with vehicle pickup arranged near the terminal exits or the dedicated rental car area.

• Suitable for trips beyond Lyon city center.
• Airport rental desks are available from major international and local agencies.
• Check parking conditions in central Lyon before choosing this option.

Transfer

A private airport transfer from Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport to Lyon city center is a comfortable pre-booked option with meet-and-greet service, fixed pickup time, and direct drop-off. Booking in advance is recommended, especially for early flights, late arrivals, families, groups, or travelers with extra luggage.

• Private car or minivan service from the arrivals area.
• Direct transfer to hotels, apartments, Lyon Part-Dieu, or Lyon Perrache.
• Average journey time is about 35 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic.