LYON FAQ`S
Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport is located about 30 minutes east of the city of Lyon depending on your means of transportation. If you have not booked a private transfer with us then you have a few options to get you to your final destination. Transportation choices such as Rhônexpress, taxis, and rental cars are all available from the airport.
One of the most comfortable ways to travel to the Lyon city center from the airport is by the tram-train line called Rhônexpress. It is faster and more reliable than the old buses (which no longer run). The tram departs every 15 minutes (6:00 am to 9:00 pm) between Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport and the main railway station Lyon Part-Dieu. The journey time is 29 minutes with intermediate stops at Meyzieu Z.I. (tram line 3) and Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie. You can transfer to the metro at Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie (metro A) and Lyon Part-Dieu (metro B). Metro A takes you to the center of Lyon, the big square Place Bellecour. Tickets are available at the ticket vending machines at each station, from the tram driver (add an additional charge to purchase on board) and online through the website. Tickets are about €15.90 for adults one-way and €27.50 return. Children 12 to 25 years of age are about €13.20 one-way and €23.30 return. Children under 12 years are free. When booking online you get a discount on the purchase of a return ticket, especially if you book early in advance. The Rhônexpress website offers return tickets in combination with the popular Lyon City Card for 1, 2 or 3 days. The first tram from the city departs at 4:25 am from Lyon Part-Dieu, the last tram from the airport leaves at midnight.
The Rhônexpress is the only direct public transport link between Lyon city center and Lyon airport. A cheaper public transport alternative to the Rhônexpress between Lyon airport and Lyon city center is to take bus number 1950 operated by Transisère from Lyon airport to La Verpillière railway station (journey time around 25 mins; cost is about €4.70 as of 2017; no services on Sundays). From La Verpillière station, there are TER regional trains to 3 stations in Lyon: Part Dieu (journey time around 15 mins), Jean-Macé (journey time around 25 mins) and Perrache (journey time around 30 mins). A one-way train ticket between La Verpillière and Lyon costs around €5 - €7. On Saturdays, if traveling in a group of 2 to 5 people, with the Illico Promo Samedi discount a one-way train ticket between La Verpillière and Lyon costs around €4.10 per person (or free of charge if under the age of 12).
A taxi to Lyon costs around €40 - €50 depending on the exact destination, so if you are a group of four people this could be an option. Ask to be dropped at one of the metro stations located on the eastern side of town (Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie, Mermoz-Pinel) to save money. Taxis are available at the taxi rank outside Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and the railway station.
If you plan to rent a car and drive into the city there are plenty of car rental options at the airport. Hertz, Thrifty, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise, National, Alamo and Sixtall operate from the airport. They are located at some distance from the terminal building, free shuttle buses operate between the two places.
Lyon has three main train stations serving national and regional destinations:
Perrache (M/T: Perrache) is the historical station. It is just a short walk away from Place Bellecour and generally more convenient if you are staying in the city center.
Part-Dieu station (M/T: Part-Dieu) is in the heart of Lyon`s main business district.
Saint-Exupéry (the station is outside the city and serves the airport).
There are also smaller stations serving suburban and regional destinations: St Paul (B: C3-Gare St Paul), Vaise (M: Gare de Vaise), Jean Macé (M: Jean Macé), Vénissieux (M: Gare de Vénissieux) and Gorge de Loup (M: Gorge de Loup).
Lyon is linked by TGV (fast trains) to Paris (two hours) and Marseille (1 hr 36 min). Many other domestic destinations are served directly, and there are several direct services to Brussels every day.
Part-Dieu railway station (Gare de la Part-Dieu) is the main railway station in Lyon and is located just a few hundred yards to the east of the city center and Lyon Saint Euxpery TGV. From here you can easily walk or catch a cab to your hotel.
How do I call/hail a taxi?Lyon has one of the most efficient city taxi services, but they are quite pricey. The maximum limit of fares is fixed by the authorities: Approximately €2 when you board, then per 0.6 miles: €1.34 (daytime, 7:00 am - 7:00 pm) or €2.02 (nights, Sundays, holidays). The driver may charge a minimum fare of €7 for any trip. It is also worth noting that taxi may charge extras for a 4th passenger, pickup at a train station or airport, or for large pieces of luggage.
You can easily find taxis in front of both train stations, on the place Belecour end of rue de la Barre, at the northern end of rue du President Edouard Harriot and along quai Romain Rollandin Vieux Lyon.
Walking is a great way to explore all the different areas of the city and offers the best way to discover the hidden gems. The city center is not so big and most attractions can be reached from each other on foot. The walk from Place des Terreaux to Place Bellecour, for example, is about 20 min. The rule of thumb is that metro stations are generally about 10 min walk apart.
Be careful when crossing major intersections: traffic is crowded and often times cars are seen running red lights.
A network of Métro lines, trams, and buses branch out to serve the city. This public transportation system is regarded as one of the most efficient in the country. A pocket map is available at any office of TCL which handles all forms of public transportation.
Tickets are valid on all forms of public transport, costing about €1.70 for the average ride or about €15.10 for a booklet of 10 tickets. Most short-time visitors may want to purchase a Ticket Liberté day pass for about €5.20.
Central areas are very well served; so are the campuses and eastern suburbs, where many routes are concentrated. The western suburbs are more residential and can be difficult to reach.
There are four metro (subway) lines (A to D). Trains generally run every 2 to 10 minutes, depending on the line and the time. Information screens above the platforms display the waiting times for the next two trains and useful information such as delays, upcoming closures, etc.
Line A (red, Perrache - Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie) serves Presqu`île, the neighborhoods around Parc de la Tête d`Or and then runs under Cours Emile Zola, Villeurbanne`s main artery. The last two stops (Laurent Bonnevay and Vaulx La Soie) provide numerous connections with buses to the eastern suburbs. Line A connects with line D at Bellecour, line Cat Hôtel de Ville, line B at Charpennes, tram lines T1 and T2 at Perrache and T3 at Vaulx La Soie. It is very busy during rush hours, especially between Bellecour and Hôtel de Ville.
Line B (blue, Charpennes - Gare d`Oullins) serves most notably Part Dieu station and Gerland stadium. It connects with line A at Charpennes and line D at Saxe-Gambetta.
Line C (yellow, Hôtel de Ville - Cuire) uses a short cog railway and serves the Croix-Rousse hill. Due to the configuration of the infrastructure, the frequencies are not very good.
Line D (green, Gare de Vaise - Gare de Vénissieux), the busiest of the four lines, is entirely automated; this allows good frequency in off-peak hours, especially at night and on Sundays. There are many bus connections to the suburbs at Gare de Vaise, Gorge de Loup, Grange Blanche, Parilly and Gare de Vénissieux.
The metro is generally reliable, clean and comfortable. Besides the classical metro, two funiculars run from Vieux Lyon metro station to Saint-Just and Fourvière.
There are also five tram lines (T1 to T5) that are useful if you plan on going to suburban areas.
There are over 100 bus lines that allow you to go virtually anywhere reasonably far away from the center. Some of them use trolley (electric) buses; Lyon is one of the few cities in France which still uses this system. There are two special bus lines: C1 and C3, where you will find big articulated trolley buses which run very frequently. These are sometimes referred to as Cristalis.
It is recommended to avoid driving within the city limits due to heavy traffic and problematic parking which can be hard to come by and quite expensive. That said, it`s worth renting a car if you plan to visit the wine countries and destinations outside the city center. You can rent cars at the train station Lyon Part Dieu including Avis, Hertz, Europcar and Budget.
If you do arrive by car, use one of the city-center car parks or park and ride locations on the outskirts of Lyon with excellent transport to the city center.
On-street parking Lyon
In the inner city paid parking applies on Monday - Saturday from 9:00 am - 7:00 pm. Maximum stay is 1 hour 30 min., parking rate 1st hour is about €2.00/hr (first 15 min are free).
On quai Romain Rolland a flat rate of around €3.00/hr is set from 7:00 pm till 9:00 am.
Parking is free on Sundays and national holidays as well as the entire holiday month August (except the inner city).
Car parks Lyon
Unlimited parking is set to car parks in the city center. Parking rates in public car parks: Between €1.65-1.95/hr, daily maximum about €15.50. Special rates apply for evening and overnight parking (approximately €5.00).
Park and Ride -
Lyon is not car-friendly so if you arrive by car, you are advised to park on one of the many P+R locations on the outskirts of the town. Public transport is excellent. The city of Lyon offers free parking in co-operation with the public transport of Lyon.
The entire city is made accessible by rental bikes. Velo`v ( www.velov.grandlyon.com), the local rental bike outfit, has about 340 stations with more than 400 bicycles. After purchasing a rental card at the Lyon tourist office, simply go to one of the bike rental kiosks and off you go. A one day ticket costs about €1.50, then free for the first 30 min of each ride, about €1 for 30 to 60 min, then around €2 every 30 min.
Lyon has an increasing number of safe cycling routes. Be cautious when it comes to crossing major roads. There are two hills in the city with steep slopes. It`s even possible to take a ride to anywhere in the city and drop off the bike at a different location. Just remember that bike stations will be full at certain hours - for example, stalls tend to fill up on Friday evenings. But, if you plan your trip away from the crowds, you should be fine. There is an iPhone app called Vélo which can help you find a bike or a free parking slot.
Lyon is not a city with a high crime rate. If you respect some simple rules, you shouldn`t have any problems. Beware of pickpockets, mostly in crowded buses and in the pedestrian streets. Do not leave any luggage out of view as it might disappear. If you`re taking the bus with a backpack, it`s better putting it between your feet than keeping it on your back.
Rue Ste Catherine, behind Place des Terreaux, is locally famous for its bars; on weekend nights there are a lot of drunk people on the street, who might be obnoxious or out of line. The police keep a close watch but it is probably better to avoid the area if you are on your own, especially after 3:00 am when the bars are closed. Similar problems may be encountered in Vieux Lyon.
In populated places such as Rue de la République or outside Part-Dieu station, you may come across people advertising for charities; they can be recognized by their specific, colored clothing. They will not ask you for money but rather give you information documents which encourage you to donate. Homeless people sell newspapers which help them make some money without begging; they should have an ID card issued by the editors. But there are also people trying to con you and get money for some non-existent charity, sometimes by selling postcards or other items. Never give money directly to someone on the street who claims to be working for charity and does not have official documents, or if the documents look doubtful.
When in the metro, particularly at Part-Dieu station near the main train station, you may be approached by people trying to sell you metro tickets. Ignore them and use the ticket machines (which can be set to a number of different languages for your ease of use) or ask a metro employee for assistance.
The currency used in Lyon is the euro (€), US dollars are not accepted. You can get euros in different banks opened from Monday to Saturday and automatic cash points opened 24 hours a day. ATMs are widespread throughout the city.
We recommend that you exchange a small amount of cash prior to your trip, enough for a cab ride or basic spending on arrival. It is also useful to remind your bank and credit card company that you will be traveling to make sure your cards will work while in France. We recommend you record all your credit card numbers, as well as the phone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen.
Under the euro system, there are seven notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. Notes are the same for all countries. There are eight coins: 1 and 2 euros, plus 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.
Lyon, like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.
For more information about tipping visit: Tipping in France
Winters are cold with average temperatures getting as low as 23°F at times. Snowfalls happen but snow-covered streets are generally not seen for more than a few days every winter. Summers can be hot; temperatures average around 95°F in July and August. During the summer, especially in August, precipitations often take the form of thunderstorms whereas in winter, lighter but more continuous rain is more common. Spring and early autumn are usually enjoyable.
I don`t speak French. Will many people speak English?French is the official language spoken in Lyon. Hotels, tourist attractions and restaurants in popular areas generally have staff that speaks some English. On the street, many people (especially young people) speak at least basic English, but they will appreciate a little effort in French. If you decide to do some travelling into the surrounding, more rural areas, or happen upon a restaurant off the beaten track then it`s a good idea to brush up on your French! We suggest you get a good English-French guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
What is the food like?Many guidebooks are quick to point out Lyon is a culinary capital in France. That`s in part because Lyon`s geographic location lends itself as a meeting place for all styles of French cuisine, which has developed into uniquely authentic Lyonnaise cuisine. Lyon has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the country and for centuries has been praised for the high-quality of its produce and the prestige of its cuisine.
For uniquely Lyonnaise cuisine, visit one of the small family-owned bouchons, typical restaurants, found on every street on the older side of town. At these cozy restaurants you`ll try the city`s signature dishes: Lyonnaise salads (topped with poached eggs, bacon, and a Dijon dressing); saucissons and and ouillettes (varieties of sausage); quenelles (fluffy fish dumplings, usually form pike); and praline tarts.
Old Lyon, the banks of the Saone, the Presqu`ile and Croix Rousse are all great areas to enjoy a lively nightlife in the city. You will also find a wide variety of bars and pubs scattered all over the city with choices including Irish, English, Latino, Cuban or even the traditional Lyonnais bars.
You will also find the National Opera, the Celestins Theater and the Lumiere Institute in the city. These more cultural venues add to the city`s international reputation and great cultural influence. At times visiting DJs will come into town, check the local newspaper or magazines to find out more. There is a legendary music festival, the Nuits Sonores, which takes place one weekend every May. This event takes over all the city`s clubs and hosts huge mega raves in the old factories of Confluence.
Lyon is a shopper`s paradise. The area of the Presqu`ile boasts the most attractive streets for shopping, such as rue Victor Hug and rue de la Republique. Some other notable areas for shopping are Rue du President Herriot for its elegant 19th-century buildings and luxury boutiques. Fine antiques and old books can be found on rue Auguste Comte. Lyon also boasts one of the finest chocolate factories in the world: Bernachon at 42 cours Franklin Roosevelt.
Markets: Les Puces du Canal is Lyon`s historical flea market (Sunday 6:00 am to 1:00 pm), located on the outskirts of Lyon at 1 rue du Canal in Villeurbanne. For some great gourmet foods visit one of Lyon`s food markets on quai St-Antoine or boulevard de la Croix-Rousse (Tuesday to Sunday mornings).
The Presqu`ile area is where the big department stores can be found. For more casual shopping options visit Lyon`s Part-Dieu shopping center on 17 rud du Docteur Bouchut, offering more than 230 various stores. The Confluence is the site of Lyon`s newest and glitziest megamall, also called Le Center Confluence.
Opening hours: Most shops are usually open from Monday to Saturday between 9:30 am and 7:00 pm (some close between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm) but are closed on Sundays. Some small grocery stores are open on Sunday mornings.
Note: Value-added tax (VAT) rate is currently 20% in France for standard goods. A reduced rate of 10% applies to restaurants, transport, and certain medical drugs. And a 5.5% tax applies to food, water and non alcoholic beverages, books, some entertainment events and some domestic personal services. If you are not an EU resident, you may be able to reclaim VAT if you jump through enough hoops.
The Lyon City Card provides free or reduced entrance to a variety of activities in Lyon, and also includes access to the city`s public transport network. In all, over 30 services and about 10 discounts at the city`s various attractions. Other options include guided tours, self-guided tours, guignol (puppet) shows, and more. You can also benefit from discounts at various performances and things like bike rentals or electric taxi tricycles.
You can purchase a card for one, two, or three days. Consider your itinerary, and decide if a Lyon City Card will be a benefit to you. Note that the pass operates on a 24-hour day for museums and events, but a calendar day for transportation, so plan accordingly.
The Lyon City Card can be purchased at the Tourist Information Office at Place Bellecour, or online.
SUMMER:
Nuits de Fourvière Festival:
Every summer, The Nuits de Fourvière open-air festival takes place in the magnificent site of the Lyon`s antique Roman Theatre (4,700 seats). During a period of two months from June to July, the festival puts on stage nearly 50 performances with several concerts, theatre and dance shows and music films programs. In space of 10 years, the Nuits de Fourvière has become a leading theater event amongst the major international festivals and a must on the Lyon`s summer cultural scene.
Jazz festival of Vienne:
Located 12 miles south of Lyon, the city of Vienne hosts one of the best annual Jazz Festival in the world. During two weeks (end of June and beginning of July), come to see performances by great stars and enjoy some good jazz music in the exceptional setting of Vienne`s Antique Roman theater (13,500 seats).
AUTUMN
Lyon Film Festival:
Since 2009, the City of Lyon, birthplace of the Lumière cinematograph has its own Grand Festival dedicated to 114 years of cinema history. The films, all in their original languages, are presented by different personalities (actors, directors, critics, etc) and are aimed at the general public and film-lovers.
Biennial of Dance:
Every pair years during 4 months, Lyon hosts the Dance Biennial event with more than 700 artists and 160 performances on twenty different sites! The Lyon Dance Biennial is a huge mix of styles (contemporary, classic and urban dance), countries and types of audience are aimed to a wide crowd.
WINTER
The Festival of Lights: it is the biggest event in Lyon with 4 million visitors over the four-day festival. Every 8th of December, the people of Lyon place little candle lamps in their windows in honor of the Virgin Mary.
Emergency dial 112
There is a central number for most hospitals in Greater Lyon: (tel) 08-20-08-20-69 including Hôpital Edouard Herriot, 5 place d`Arsonval and Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Centre Livet, 103 granderue de la Croix-Rousse. For more information, go to www.chu-lyon.fr.