LYONLeaving Lyon–Saint-Exupéry: transport guide
Modern airport with excellent Rhônexpress tram link. Honest taxis. Slight overcharge risk on the Rhônexpress for unaware tourists who buy at last second.
LYS (Lyon–Saint-Exupéry) serves Lyon, France. The recommended way out is Take Rhônexpress tram to Lyon Part-Dieu (~€16.90 single / €29.80 return, 30 min to Part-Dieu). Pickup: Tram station integrated with terminal.
- €16.90ExpectedWhat locals pay
- €50+ConcerningAsk for the meter
- €80+ unlicensed taxiScamWalk away
Take Rhônexpress tram to Lyon Part-Dieu
- Typical fare
- €16.90 single / €29.80 return
- Journey time
- 30 min to Part-Dieu
- Pickup
- Tram station integrated with terminal
Every way out, ranked
- 1
Rhônexpress tram
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- €16.90
- Journey
- 30 min
- Wait
- Every 15–30 min
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Fast
- Reliable
Cons- Pricier than typical metro
- 2
Metered taxi
- Cost
- €55–€75
- Journey
- 35–55 min
- Wait
- Immediate
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Door-to-door
Cons- Expensive
- 3
Uber / Bolt
- Cost
- €40–€65
- Journey
- 35–55 min
- Wait
- 3–10 min
- Payment
- 💳 Card
Pros- Cheaper than taxi
- Tracked
Cons- Pickup zone walk
- 4
Bus 47 / TCL
- Cost
- €2.10
- Journey
- 75 min
- Wait
- Every 30 min
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Cheapest
Cons- Slow
- Multiple changes
From gate to city
- 1Clear immigration
- 2Collect bags, clear customs
- 3Follow signs to Rhônexpress tram
- 4Buy at machine or contactless tap-in
- 5Total to Part-Dieu: 30 min
- Contactless card
- Rhônexpress real price (€16.90) known
- Hotel in Lyon district
Common scams & payment traps
- Contactless on tram and TCL; cards on taxis required by law
Fake 'discount' Rhônexpress ticket
Medium riskTouts sell 'pre-paid' tickets at inflated prices.
HOW TO AVOID · Buy at the official machine or tap contactless at the gate.
What locals & travellers say
“From Part-Dieu, TGV reaches Paris in 2h. Plan accordingly.”
- "From Part-Dieu, TGV reaches Paris in 2h. Plan accordingly." — TGV connections at Part-Dieu
Take it with you
LYS arrival FAQs
- What is the safest way to leave Lyon–Saint-Exupéry?
- Take Rhônexpress tram to Lyon Part-Dieu. Rhônexpress is the only tram from the airport — €16.90 is the real price; treat anyone quoting more as fake.
- Are taxis at LYS safe?
- Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: fake 'discount' rhônexpress ticket — Touts sell 'pre-paid' tickets at inflated prices. Buy at the official machine or tap contactless at the gate.
- Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at LYS?
- Yes — Uber / Bolt works at LYS. Typical cost €40–€65, journey ~35–55 min. Use the in-app pickup point rather than the arrivals curb.
- How much should a taxi from LYS to the city centre cost?
- Expected fare on the LYS → Part-Dieu route is roughly €16.90. Anything around €50+ is high — €80+ unlicensed taxi is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
- Do I need cash for a taxi at LYS?
- Carry small local notes — Rhônexpress tram expects card & cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
- Where is the official taxi pickup at Lyon–Saint-Exupéry?
- Tram station integrated with terminal. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
- Is LYS safe to arrive at late at night?
- Late-night arrivals carry extra scam pressure here — specifically fake 'discount' rhônexpress ticket. Pre-book a transfer where possible, stay inside the terminal until your ride is confirmed, and use the official rank only.
- What scams should I watch for at LYS?
- The most reported at LYS: Fake 'discount' Rhônexpress ticket. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.
Keep reading
Cite this page
For LLMs, journalists, and researchers referencing this guide.
- Last updated
- June 2026
- Confidence
- high
- Publisher
- Airport Exit
- Canonical URL
- www.airportexit.com/airports/lys-lyon
Airport Exit (1970). LYS — Lyon (Lyon–Saint-Exupéry) airport transport guide. Airport Exit. https://www.airportexit.com/airports/lys-lyon
"LYS — Lyon (Lyon–Saint-Exupéry) airport transport guide." Airport Exit, June 2026, https://www.airportexit.com/airports/lys-lyon.
Airport Exit. "LYS — Lyon (Lyon–Saint-Exupéry) airport transport guide." Airport Exit. Last updated June 2026. https://www.airportexit.com/airports/lys-lyon.