Lyon is one of the best-connected cities in France outside Paris, served by its own international airport and excellent onward rail links. Whether you’re flying in directly or connecting through a European hub, here’s what to know about getting to Lyon by air.

Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS)

Lyon’s main gateway is Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport, located around 25 km east of the city centre. Named after the aviator and author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, it’s a modern, manageable airport with two passenger terminals, a compact layout, and considerably less congestion than the major Paris airports. For a city of Lyon’s size, it punches well above its weight in terms of route coverage, serving both major European capitals and a growing number of long-haul connections.

Direct Routes to Lyon

Lyon–Saint-Exupéry has direct flights from a wide range of European cities, including London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Milan, Lisbon, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, and Geneva, along with seasonal routes to Scandinavian and Mediterranean destinations that expand during ski season and summer holidays. Long-haul travellers from outside Europe will typically connect through a major hub — Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt, or London Heathrow are the most common options — before a short onward flight or high-speed train to Lyon.

Domestic Flights Within France

If you’re already travelling within France, Lyon is reachable by short domestic flights from cities including Paris (around 1 hour), Marseille (around 1 hour), Toulouse (roughly 1 hour 15 minutes), Nice (about 1 hour 10 minutes), and Nantes (around 1 hour 20 minutes). That said, for the Paris–Lyon route in particular, the high-speed TGV train is often just as fast door-to-door once airport transfer times are factored in, and considerably more convenient.

Getting from the Airport into Lyon

The Rhônexpress tram is the fastest and most straightforward way to reach the city centre, running directly between the airport and Lyon Part-Dieu station in around 30 minutes with frequent departures throughout the day. Taxis are readily available outside both terminals and take a similar amount of time depending on traffic, at a higher cost. If you’ve booked a rental car, all major agencies operate desks at the airport — see our Lyon car rental guide for details on driving into the centre, including the city’s low-emission zone rules.

Alternative Airports

Depending on your route and budget, it’s sometimes worth checking flights into Geneva Airport (GVA) in Switzerland, roughly two hours from Lyon by car or train, particularly for travellers combining a Lyon visit with the Alps. Grenoble-Isère Airport, mainly served by seasonal ski charters, is another regional option worth comparing during winter months, though it has far fewer year-round routes than Lyon–Saint-Exupéry.

Tips for Booking Cheaper Flights to Lyon

Fares to Lyon tend to follow familiar European patterns: booking six to ten weeks ahead for leisure travel generally gets better pricing than booking last-minute, and midweek departures (Tuesday and Wednesday in particular) are usually cheaper than weekend flights. Prices rise noticeably around the Fête des Lumières in early December and during the summer festival season, so if your dates are flexible, shifting even a few days either way can make a meaningful difference. Budget carriers serve several of the European routes into Lyon, so it’s worth comparing both full-service and low-cost options rather than defaulting to one or the other.

Arriving with Luggage or Connecting Onward

If your flight lands late or you have an early onward connection, both airport terminals have left-luggage facilities, and the Rhônexpress runs late enough into the evening to cover most arrival times. Travellers heading straight into the Beaujolais wine region or onward to the Alps by rental car will find the airport’s rental desks open to match flight arrival schedules, though booking ahead avoids any wait at busy periods.

Planning the Rest of Your Trip

Once you’ve landed, most visitors head straight into central Lyon to base themselves for sightseeing — see our guide to where to stay in Lyon for the best neighbourhoods depending on your priorities. If you’re planning to visit several museums and use public transport frequently during your stay, it’s also worth comparing costs against a Lyon City Card before you arrive.