Lyon Airports Guide: Terminals, Transport, and Essential Information

Lyon, France’s third-largest city and a major economic hub, is served primarily by one international airport with a secondary airport handling some low-cost and charter flights. Situated in the Rhône-Alpes region, Lyon’s airports provide essential links to domestic, European, and select intercontinental destinations, serving as key gateways to the French Alps and beyond.

This guide explains Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) and the smaller Lyon–Bron Airport, including terminal information, airline operations, and clear explanations of how to navigate arrivals and get to the city center efficiently.

Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS)

Overview: Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport (IATA: LYS), formerly known as Lyon Satolas, is the primary international airport serving Lyon and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Located approximately 20 km (12 miles) east of Lyon’s city center, it is a modern facility known for its distinctive architecture, including the TGV train station designed by Santiago Calatrava. It serves as a focus city for Air France, easyJet, and Volotea, and is a major gateway for ski traffic to the Alps.

Terminals:

• Terminals 1 & 2 (Connected): The airport consists of two connected terminals that function as a single complex.
  • Terminal 1: The original terminal, now primarily used for arrivals and some low-cost carriers.
  • Terminal 2: Handles most departures, particularly for full-service and international airlines. It is larger and houses the main shopping and dining areas.
• Design: The terminals are connected by a walkway and are easy to navigate. The airport is bright, clean, and generally efficient.
• Lyon-Saint Exupéry TGV Station: A major high-speed rail (TGV) station is integrated into the airport complex, offering direct train services to cities across France and Europe.

Getting to and from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport:

• Rhônexpress Tram-Train:
  The fastest and most convenient public transport to central Lyon. A dedicated tram-train line connects the airport directly to Lyon’s main train station, Gare de Lyon Part-Dieu, in just 30 minutes. Trains run every 15 minutes from approximately 5 AM to midnight. A one-way ticket costs around €16.30 (discounts for round-trip and online purchase). Highly recommended.
• TGV (High-Speed Train):
  The airport’s integrated TGV station offers direct high-speed rail services to many French cities (Paris, Marseille, Lille, Strasbourg) and international destinations (Geneva, Brussels). This is an excellent option if your final destination is not Lyon itself.
• Public Buses (Les Cars de l’Aéroport):
  Several bus lines connect the airport to various parts of Lyon and its suburbs, including Perrache station and the Université Lyon 1. Slower and less frequent than the Rhônexpress, but cheaper (approx. €10-€15).
• Taxis & Ride-Hailing:
  Taxis are available at ranks outside both terminals. Fares to Lyon city center are fixed by zone: approximately €50-€60 to Presqu’île or Part-Dieu. Ride-hailing services like Uber operate with designated pickup areas.
• Car Rental:
  All major international and French rental companies have desks in the arrivals halls. Useful for exploring the Rhône Valley and the Alps, but not necessary for staying within Lyon.
• Hotel & Private Shuttles:
  Some hotels offer shuttle services, and private transfer companies operate from the airport.

Best for: The vast majority of international and domestic travelers. All scheduled commercial flights operate from here.

Lyon–Bron Airport (LYN)

Overview: Lyon–Bron Airport is a small general aviation airport located just 10 km (6 miles) east of central Lyon. It handles private jets, business aviation, flight training, and air taxi services. It has no scheduled commercial passenger airline service.

For Travelers: Not an option for regular commercial flights. Used by private aircraft and for aviation-related business.

Essential Airport Information

Arrival Process (Non-Schengen): If arriving from outside the Schengen Area (e.g., UK, US, Canada, Morocco), you will clear passport control in Terminal 1. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens use automated e-gates.

Currency & SIM Cards: ATMs and currency exchange are available. France uses the Euro (€). For a local SIM card, providers (Orange, SFR, Bouygues, Free) have shops in the city; airport options are limited. Free Wi-Fi is available.

Facilities: The airport offers a good selection of cafes, restaurants (including local Lyonnais “bouchon”-style eateries), bars, duty-free shopping, and newsagents. Lounges are available for premium passengers.

Departure Tips:

• Arrive at least 2 hours before Schengen flights and 2.5-3 hours before non-Schengen flights. Security lines can be long, especially during early morning and weekend peaks.
• The Rhônexpress is very reliable for getting to the airport; allow 30 minutes travel time from Part-Dieu plus check-in time.

Transport to Key Lyon Destinations

From LYS to:

• Gare de Lyon Part-Dieu (main train/business district): 30 minutes on Rhônexpress.
• Presqu’île (Bellecour, Terreaux, Hôtel de Ville): Take Rhônexpress to Part-Dieu, then metro line B to Bellecour (approx. 45 mins total).
• Vieux Lyon (Old Town): Take Rhônexpress to Part-Dieu, then metro line D to Vieux Lyon station (approx. 50 mins total).
• Confluence & Perrache Station: Take a direct bus or the Rhônexpress to Part-Dieu and transfer to a tram.
• Lyon-Saint Exupéry TGV Station to Paris: Direct TGV trains take about 2 hours to Paris Charles de Gaulle or Gare de Lyon.

Domestic and European Flight Network

LYS is a significant hub for travel within France and Europe.

Key Domestic Routes:

• Frequent flights to Paris (Orly & CDG), Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nantes, and Corsica.

European Network (Extensive):

• Major Hubs: London (multiple airports), Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Lisbon, Istanbul, Brussels, Geneva, Munich.
• Leisure Destinations: Extensive seasonal routes to Mediterranean destinations (Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Morocco, Tunisia) operated by easyJet, Volotea, Transavia, and others.

Primary Airlines: Air France (and its Hop! regional subsidiary), easyJet, Volotea, Lufthansa, British Airways, Iberia, Turkish Airlines, TAP Air Portugal.

Gateway to the French Alps

LYS is the closest major airport to many world-famous ski resorts. During winter (December-April), numerous transfers and direct bus services operate from the airport to:

• Northern Alps (via Chambéry): Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens (3 Valleys), Les Menuires, La Tania.
• Via Grenoble: Alpe d’Huez, Les Deux Alpes, Serre Chevalier.
• Swiss Resorts: Verbier (via Geneva transfer).

Many tour operators and private transfer companies have desks in the arrivals hall during the season. Pre-booking is highly recommended.

Special Considerations

Business Travel: Lyon is a major conference and business destination. The airport and its direct TGV link make it easily accessible from across Europe.

Long-Haul Travel: LYS has a few seasonal long-haul routes (e.g., to Montreal, Dubai, North Africa), but for most intercontinental travel (Americas, Asia), a connection through Paris (CDG), Amsterdam (AMS), or Frankfurt (FRA) is required.

Language: French is the official language. English is widely spoken at airport counters and in the tourism sector.

Safety and Practical Advice

At the Airport: Generally very safe. Be mindful of belongings in crowded areas. Use official transport services.

Public Transport Tickets: Purchase Rhônexpress tickets at machines in the airport or online in advance for a small discount.

Traffic: Road traffic on the A42 motorway into Lyon can be heavy during rush hours. The Rhônexpress is immune to this congestion.

Bottom line: Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport is a modern, well-connected facility that makes arriving in the Rhône-Alpes region straightforward. The integrated Rhônexpress tram-train provides a swift and reliable link to the city center, while the TGV station offers unparalleled connectivity to the wider region. Whether you’re visiting Lyon for business or culture, or using it as a gateway to the Alps, LYS serves its purpose efficiently.