# Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS)

> Colombier-Saugnieu, Rhône, FR · 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Lyon city centre

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/lys
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/lys.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: LYS
- **ICAO**: LFLL
- **Timezone**: Europe/Paris
- **Runways**: 2
- **Terminals**: 2
- **Passengers**: 12.5M/yr
- **Official site**: https://www.lyonaeroports.com/

## Overview

## Welcome

Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS) stands out with its architecturally iconic TGV station designed by Santiago Calatrava, creating a remarkable experience for travelers transitioning between air and rail. This mid-sized airport benefits from its terminal layout that integrates the railway, making transfers to Paris and the Alps particularly seamless compared to other non-hub airports. Terminal 1, largely rebuilt, presents a modern, compact feel with decent dining options and lounges that travelers find practical.

## At a glance

Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport sees a streamlined annual traffic of 12.5 million passengers through its dual runway system. Situated 20 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of Lyon city center, the airport offers a notable convenience in connecting travelers not only to major European cities but also to popular alpine destinations. Air France, EasyJet, and Transavia France operate out of Terminal 1, while British Airways, Lufthansa, and KLM use Terminal 2, reflecting a diverse range of carrier options despite the airport's mid-size classification.

## Terminals & layout

LYS is simple to navigate with two primary terminals: Terminal 1, hosting airlines like Air France and EasyJet, and Terminal 2, serving carriers such as British Airways and Lufthansa. Terminal 1 feels like a mini-hub with a greater variety of dining and a compact walking experience, enhanced by pay-per-use lounges like the Mont Blanc Lounge (€28) for non-Schengen travelers. Travellers often find Terminal 2 more dated, with fewer amenities, emphasizing the newer terminal’s appeal.

## Getting to and from the city

The airport integrates smoothly with the region’s transport network. The Rhônexpress tram connects LYS to Lyon Part-Dieu in approximately 29-30 minutes, though at a steep price of around €16-17 one-way. Alternatively, the TCL Bus 47 offers a budget-friendly option with tickets averaging €2-3 per trip, although it involves a transfer to the tram. TGV services enable fast transfers to Paris, approximately two hours to Paris CDG, with fares starting at €25-30 if booked in advance. Travelers also have options like FlixBus and Blablacar for intercity routes at competitive prices.

## Traveller essentials

The airport provides practical amenities for travelers. Car rental services are accessible, yet feedback suggests allowing extra time due to shuttle logistics and signage issues. There’s an assortment of parking facilities, including the P0 Parking Minute for short stays and the P3 Eco lots for budget-conscious parking. High-speed TGV and regional TER trains connect passengers to major destinations, emphasizing LYS's role as a transport hub.

## Dining & shopping highlights

Lyon Saint-Exupéry offers a variety of dining choices primarily concentrated in Terminal 1. Burger King and Starbucks provide quick bites, while OL Brasserie and Hippopotamus offer sit-down options. Retail therapy at LYS includes Aelia Duty Free and L'Occitane, ensuring passengers can shop for last-minute gifts. Shops such as Société Lyonnaise de Chocolat provide a taste of local flavors before departure.

## Lounges

The airport features several lounges across its terminals. In Terminal 1, the Mont Blanc Lounge serves non-Schengen guests, praised for its tranquil atmosphere, while the Confluence Lounge caters to Schengen travelers with reliable Wi-Fi and comfortable seating. Terminal 2's Salon Air France and VIP Lounge provide additional spaces for relaxation and business needs, though with fewer frills compared to Terminal 1.

## Insider tips

- **Time:** Walking between the TGV station and Terminal 1 can be deceivingly long, especially with luggage. Plan more time than expected.

- **Insider:** Consider airport hotels like NH or Moxy for early flights to avoid issues with morning transport.

- **Avoid:** For better dining, eat in Terminal 1 before moving to Terminal 2, which has limited options.

- **Insider:** Buy Rhônexpress tickets online with promo codes to sidestep high onboard fares.

- **Money:** Budget-conscious? Use the TCL Bus 47 for a cheaper yet longer route to the city center.

- **Avoid:** Be early at passport control, especially for flights to/from UK and Africa, to avoid long lines.

- **Local:** For photography, head to the elevated walkway near the Calatrava station for great airfield views.

## Terminals (2)

- **Terminal 1** — Air France, EasyJet, Transavia France
- **Terminal 2** — British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM

## Dining (21)

- **Brioche Dorée** — 1
- **Burger King** — 1 · $
- **Cœur de Blé** — 2
- **Café Comptoir** — 1
- **Camden Food Co** — 1
- **Columbus Café** — 2
- **Confluences Café** — 1
- **Côté Bar** — 2
- **Hippopotamus** — 1
- **La Croissanterie** — 2
- **Le Bar à Vin** — 1
- **Le Grand Comptoir** — 1
- **Léon de Bruxelles**
- **Moxy Bar** — $$
- **NH Bar**
- **OL Brasserie** — 1
- **Only Lyon Bistro** — 1
- **Paul** — 1
- **Sous le Grill** — 1
- **Starbucks** — 1
- **Upper Crust** — 1

## Lounges (8)

- **Business Centre Lounge** — 1 · Terminal 1, paid access workspaces
- **Confluence Lounge** — 1 · Terminal 1, Schengen, airline and Priority Pass
- **Mont Blanc Lounge** — 1 · Terminal 1, non-Schengen, airline and Priority Pass · €28
- **Moxy Lounge** — Airport hotel by station, public bar
- **NH Hotel Lobby Lounge** — Airport hotel by station, public bar
- **Salon Air France** — 2 · Terminal 2, airline lounge
- **The Lounge by Club Airport Premier** — 1 · Terminal 1, frequent flyer club
- **VIP Lounge Terminal 2** — 2 · Terminal 2, charter and tour-operator access

## Shops (18)

- **Aelia Duty Free** — 1
- **Aelia Duty Free** — 2
- **Boutique Only Lyon** — 1
- **FNAC** — 1
- **Hermès** — 1
- **Hub Convenience** — 1
- **L'Occitane** — 1
- **La Cave à Vin** — 1
- **Lacoste** — 1
- **Maison de Lyon** — 1
- **Parfumerie Aelia Beauty** — 1
- **Relay** — 1
- **Relay** — 2
- **So! Coffee Shop Boutique** — 1
- **Société Lyonnaise de Chocolat** — 1
- **Tech2Go** — 1
- **The Fashion Place** — 1
- **Travel & Co** — 2

## Parking (10)

- **Car Hotel Park** — Long-term off-site · :explicitly stated/cites/day, :explicitly stated/cites/hr
- **P0 Parking Minute Terminal 1** — Short-stay · :explicitly stated/cites/day, :explicitly stated/cites/hr
- **P1 Terminal 1** — Covered parking · :explicitly stated/cites/day, :explicitly stated/cites/hr
- **P2 Terminal 2** — Covered parking · :explicitly stated/cites/day, :explicitly stated/cites/hr
- **P3 Eco** — Long-stay economy · :explicitly stated/cites/day, :explicitly stated/cites/hr
- **P4 Eco** — Long-stay economy · :explicitly stated/cites/day, :explicitly stated/cites/hr
- **P5 Remote** — Long-stay remote · :explicitly stated/cites/day, :explicitly stated/cites/hr
- **P6 Motorcycle** — Motorcycle parking · :explicitly stated/cites/day, :explicitly stated/cites/hr
- **P7 Premium** — Premium covered · :explicitly stated/cites/day, :explicitly stated/cites/hr
- **Valet Parking** — Valet service · :explicitly stated/cites/day, :explicitly stated/cites/hr

## Ground transport (14)

- **Altibus** — Ski resort coach · Roughly ≈3‑4 h depending on resort and traffic, e.g., LYS to Tignes/Val d’Isère · User examples mention ≈€50‑70 per person one‑way to major ski resorts from Lyon in high season · Mainly a few departures on winter weekends; very limited or no service outside ski season
- **Blablacar Bus** — Intercity coach · Journey times broadly similar to FlixBus on the same corridors (e.g., ≈1h30‑2h LYS–Grenoble) · Typical fares on competitive routes mentioned are ≈€5‑15 one‑way · Fewer daily departures than FlixBus; often 1‑3 buses/day on secondary routes
- **Bolt** — Rideshare · Travel time similar to other car services (≈30‑40 min) when a driver is available · Reddit users report slightly lower prices than Uber on some trips, often in the ≈€25‑40 range LYS–central Lyon · Driver availability at LYS reported as spottier than Uber, especially late at night
- **Car Rentals Shuttle** — Shuttle to car rental center · Shuttle ride to rental centre reported as a few minutes, but users recommend adding ≈30‑45 min total buffer for shuttle + paperwork at pickup or drop‑off · Highly variable; Reddit examples mention ≈€30‑60/day for small cars outside peak ski season · Rental shuttles run throughout the day in line with flight schedules
- **FlixBus** — Intercity coach · User‑reported ≈1h30‑2h LYS–Grenoble, longer in rush hour · Reddit examples report ≈€7‑15 for LYS–Grenoble depending on date and advance booking · A few departures per day on active routes; often seasonal rather than year‑round clockface service
- **Ouibus legacy lines** — Intercity coach
- **OUIGO** — Low-cost TGV at airport statio · Similar journey times to equivalent inOui routes on the same line · Promo fares often from ≈€10‑15 one‑way if booked early · Fewer trains per day than inOui; limited or no direct service from LYS itself
- **Private Shuttle Alps** — Seasonal ski shuttle · Rough estimates from user reports: ≈2h30‑3h LYS–Les Deux Alpes/Alpe d’Huez in normal winter conditions, longer in heavy traffic or snow · User examples mention several hundred euros per van (e.g., ≈€300‑400 each way) split among 6‑8 passengers for major resorts · By reservation only; effectively on‑demand with more availability on peak ski Saturdays
- **Rhônexpress** — Tram-train to Lyon Part-Dieu · ≈29‑30 min between airport and Part‑Dieu station · ≈€16‑17 one‑way adult into Lyon Part‑Dieu · Every 15 min daytimes; every 30 min late evening
- **Taxi Lyon Aéroport** — Metered taxi · Typically ≈30‑40 min airport–central Lyon off‑peak; can be longer in rush hour · User reports cluster around ≈€45‑60 one‑way between LYS and central Lyon depending on time and traffic · On‑demand at the official taxi rank whenever flights are operating
- **TCL Bus 47** — Local bus to Meyzieu · Bus 47 plus Tram T3 typically ≈45‑60 min airport–Part‑Dieu depending on connections · Standard TCL fare (≈€2‑3 per single trip) instead of Rhônexpress pricing · Roughly every 20‑30 min in daytime; reduced service evenings and Sundays
- **TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes** — Regional trains at airport sta · ≈1h20‑1h30 Lyon–Grenoble; ≈1h‑1h15 Lyon–Chambéry from Lyon Part‑Dieu · Varies by route; examples discussed include ≈€15‑20 for Lyon–Grenoble when booked standard fare · On main lines (Lyon–Grenoble/Chambéry), roughly hourly off‑peak from Part‑Dieu; fewer or no TERs start/stop at the airport itself
- **TGV inOui** — High-speed rail at airport sta · ≈2 h to Paris CDG / ≈1h40 to Paris Gare de Lyon from LYS on direct inOui services · Varies by route; advance fares can be as low as ≈€25‑30 to Paris · Sparse from LYS (often only a few trains per day per major route)
- **Uber** — Rideshare · Similar to taxis: ≈30‑40 min in normal traffic · User‑reported typical UberX fares ≈€30‑45 LYS–central Lyon off‑peak · On‑demand; availability varies with driver supply and time of day

## Insider tips

- _Time_: Walking between the TGV station and Terminal 1 can be deceivingly long, especially with luggage. Plan more time than expected.
- _Insider_: Consider airport hotels like NH or Moxy for early flights to avoid issues with morning transport.
- _Avoid_: For better dining, eat in Terminal 1 before moving to Terminal 2, which has limited options.
- _Insider_: Buy Rhônexpress tickets online with promo codes to sidestep high onboard fares.
- _Money_: Budget-conscious? Use the TCL Bus 47 for a cheaper yet longer route to the city center.
- _Avoid_: Be early at passport control, especially for flights to/from UK and Africa, to avoid long lines.
- _Local_: For photography, head to the elevated walkway near the Calatrava station for great airfield views.