Remote chalet, tiny village, or multi-stop Rhône road trip in mind?
The Car Rentals Shuttle at Lyon Saint‑Exupéry runs between Terminals 1 and 2 and the off‑site car hire centre, which sits a short ride away from the main buildings. The shuttle itself only takes a few minutes, but most travellers report the whole process of shuttle plus paperwork adding around 30–45 minutes at both pickup and drop‑off. If you’re planning to criss‑cross rural Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes or reach a ski chalet outside bus routes, this setup matters more than at a city airport.
Prices for small cars reported on Reddit hover around €30–60 per day outside peak ski weeks, with higher rates in February and during major events in Lyon. Agencies sit together at the dedicated rental centre, so it’s easy to walk 20–30 metres between counters and compare what’s actually available. The shuttle runs in line with flight schedules through the day, so late‑evening arrivals on 21:00–23:00 flights still see buses operating, though waits can stretch to about 10–15 minutes when several flights land at once.
Real‑world feedback calls the process “straightforward” and “easy,” but with a big caveat about time. One traveller who used LYS for a regional driving holiday mentioned that the shuttle to the car hire area added just enough delay that they were glad they’d built a buffer of about 45 minutes. Another regular on r/travel says the return leg is what catches people: you hit weekend queues, wait 20+ minutes at the counter, then still have to catch the shuttle back to Terminal 1 or 2 before security.
Step-by-step: using the Car Rentals Shuttle
- 1. After landing at Terminal 1 or 2, follow “Car Rental / Location Voitures” signs through arrivals to the shuttle stop; this usually takes 5–10 minutes on foot.
- 2. Wait for the Car Rentals Shuttle; daytime gaps are typically around 10 minutes, slightly longer late at night or during midday staff breaks.
- 3. Ride the shuttle to the rental centre; the drive itself is only a few minutes, so expect about 5 minutes onboard plus loading and unloading time.
- 4. At the rental centre, join your agency’s queue; weekend changeover and ski‑season Saturdays can push waits to 30–40 minutes at smaller desks with only one staff member.
- 5. Before leaving the lot, photograph the fuel gauge, mileage, and any damage on all four sides and the wheels; several renters report disputes on return where these photos saved them extra charges.
- 6. When returning the car, aim to be at the rental centre at least 2 hours before an intra‑Schengen flight or 2.5–3 hours before a long‑haul, to cover inspection, key drop, and the shuttle plus security at Terminal 1 or 2.
Regulars with agencies like Hertz, Avis, or Europcar say loyalty programs with “fast track” or priority counters easily shave 15–20 minutes off weekend waits. One last tip: set a reminder on your phone to refuel within 10–15 km of LYS and keep the receipt; it pairs nicely with your car photos if anyone questions the tank level at return.