Flights to Lyon: The Complete Guide

Flights to Lyon: The Complete Guide

Lyon is the gastronomic capital of France and a major European tech hub. Most international travelers arrive at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), the primary gateway to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Located 25 kilometers east of the city center, LYS handles a mix of full-service carriers and low-cost airlines. While less crowded than Paris-Charles de Gaulle, it is the third-busiest airport in France, offering streamlined arrivals for those heading to the city or the nearby French Alps. Booking flights to Lyon allows you to bypass the transit time from Paris while landing closer to southeastern France’s top destinations.

Which airport should you fly into?

Lyon is primarily served by one international airport, though regional alternatives exist for specific low-cost routes.

• Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS): The main international hub. It is 25km (15 miles) from the city center. This is where 95% of travelers will arrive.
• Grenoble Alpes–Isère Airport (GNB): Located 85km from Lyon. This airport mostly handles seasonal winter charters and low-cost carriers (like Ryanair) for skiers, but it is an option for finding the cheapest flights to Lyon if you are willing to take a 90-minute bus transfer.
• Geneva Airport (GVA): Located 150km away in Switzerland. Since it is a massive international hub, you can sometimes find lower fares here and take a two-hour train or bus into Lyon.

Best time to book flights to Lyon

Timing your booking affects the price more than the day of the week you search. For domestic flights within Europe, booking 5 to 7 weeks in advance typically yields the lowest rates. For long-haul flights from North America or Asia, the "sweet spot" is 4 to 6 months before departure.

Statistically, Tuesday and Wednesday departures are cheaper than Friday or Sunday flights. If you are traveling for the Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights) in early December, book at least 8 months in advance, as prices spike due to global demand for this specific weekend.

Cheapest months to fly to Lyon

January and February are consistently the cheapest months to fly to Lyon. Outside of the school holiday weeks, European low-cost carriers drop prices significantly during the winter "low season."

November is another budget-friendly window. While the weather is cooler and damp, flight prices fall before the December holiday rush. If you want a balance of good weather and lower fares, look at May and September. Avoid July and August if you are searching for the cheapest flights to Lyon, as European summer vacations drive prices to their annual peak.

Direct flights vs connecting flights

Lyon-Saint Exupéry offers direct connections to over 115 destinations. Most direct flights originate from within Europe, North Africa, and Canada.

• Direct Flights: You can fly direct to Lyon from major hubs like London (Heathrow and Gatwick), Frankfurt, Munich, Madrid, Rome, Dubai, and Montreal.
• Connecting Flights: If you are flying from the United States or Asia, you will likely connect through Paris (CDG), London (LHR), or Amsterdam (AMS).
• The "Air & Rail" Option: Many travelers book a flight to Paris-Charles de Gaulle and take the TGV high-speed train directly from the CDG airport station to Lyon Part-Dieu. This often counts as a "connecting flight" in booking systems and can be cheaper than flying the final leg.

Best airlines flying to Lyon

Several major carriers and budget lines service LYS. Choice depends on your point of origin and baggage requirements.

• Air France: Offers extensive domestic connections from Paris and international routes through its SkyTeam network.
• EasyJet: Operates a major base in Lyon, providing frequent, high-volume low-cost flights across Europe and the UK.
• Lufthansa: Provides multiple daily connections to Lyon via its Frankfurt and Munich hubs, connecting Lyon to the worldwide Star Alliance network.
• Emirates: Operates a direct long-haul route between Dubai and Lyon, serving as the primary link for travelers from Australia, Asia, and the Middle East.
• Transavia: A low-cost subsidiary of the Air France-KLM group focusing on Mediterranean and European leisure routes.

Getting from the airport to the city center

Lyon-Saint Exupéry is well-connected to the city. You have four primary ways to reach the center.

Rhônexpress Tram

This is the fastest and most reliable method. The dedicated tram runs every 15 minutes during peak hours and takes 29 minutes to reach Lyon Part-Dieu station.

• Cost: Approximately €15.20 for a single or €26.70 for a return (cheaper if booked online in advance).

Bus (Blablacar Bus or FlixBus)

Budget bus lines occasionally run services between the airport and the Perrache bus station.

• Cost: €5–€10 depending on booking time.

Taxis

Taxis are available 24/7 at the ranks outside Terminals 1 and 2.

• Cost: €50–€70 during the day; €80–€100 at night.

Rideshare (Uber/FreeNow)

Uber operates in Lyon and can pick up passengers at designated points.

• Cost: Generally €45–€60, though surge pricing applies during peak hours or train strikes.

Flight duration from major cities

Estimated flight times to Lyon-Saint Exupéry:

• London: 1 hour 40 minutes (Direct)
• New York: 9 hours 30 minutes (1 stop)
• Montreal: 7 hours 45 minutes (Direct)
• Dubai: 6 hours 50 minutes (Direct)
• Los Angeles: 13–15 hours (1 stop)
• Sydney: 24+ hours (2 stops)
• Paris: 1 hour (Direct)

Tips for finding cheap flights to Lyon

Finding the cheapest flights to Lyon requires a mix of flexibility and tactical searching.

1. Use "Everywhere" searches: If your dates are flexible, use search engines to compare Lyon against Geneva (GVA). Sometimes the savings on a flight to Geneva exceed the €30 cost of a bus or train ticket into Lyon.
2. Fly into Paris and take the TGV: Search for flights to Paris CDG. Since competition is higher, fares are often hundreds of dollars cheaper. The TGV train takes just 2 hours to reach Lyon and leaves directly from the airport terminal.
3. Check low-cost carrier sites directly: Airlines like EasyJet and Volotea don't always show their best promotional fares on third-party aggregators. Check their "Low Fare Finder" tools directly on their websites.
4. Set price alerts for October and November: These months see frequent flash sales from European carriers trying to fill seats before the winter ski season begins.
5. Book the Rhônexpress in advance: While not a flight tip, you can save money on your overall travel budget by buying your airport tram tickets at least one month early on the Rhônexpress website.