Thirty minutes from LYS to Part‑Dieu if you pay for it
Rhônexpress runs a tram‑train from Lyon Saint‑Exupéry Airport to Lyon Part‑Dieu in about 29‑30 minutes, with departures every 15 minutes during the day. The airport stop is right by Terminals 1 and 2, under the big TGV station canopy, so you just follow the red Rhônexpress signs once you exit baggage claim.
A standard adult one‑way into Lyon Part‑Dieu runs around €16‑17, which is why locals on r/Lyon keep calling it a “tourist trap train” compared with normal TCL fares. You can buy tickets from machines on the platform, online, or via the app; buying on board costs more, which is easy to miss if you’re rushing off a flight.
Daytime frequency is every 15 minutes, but after roughly 21:00 the gap stretches to every 30 minutes, according to several local threads. That means a late‑evening arrival into Terminal 2 paired with checked bags can easily turn into a 25‑40 minute wait if you just miss a tram.
How to ride Rhônexpress step by step
- 1. From Terminals 1 or 2, follow signs to “Gare TGV / Rhônexpress”; expect a 5‑10 minute walk with escalators and elevators.
- 2. At the Rhônexpress platform, use the red ticket machines or your phone to buy a ticket; aim for the online or machine fare around €16‑17, not the more expensive onboard price.
- 3. Validate your ticket exactly as shown on the platform or in the app before boarding; locals report aggressive checks and steep fines if it’s not valid.
- 4. Board the next tram‑train (every 15 minutes by day, about every 30 minutes late evening) and stash luggage in the racks near the doors; in peak hours you may stand.
- 5. Stay on until the final stop at Lyon Part‑Dieu, around 29‑30 minutes later, then follow signs to SNCF/Metro B/trams for connections across the city.
What regulars do, and watch outs
Locals on r/Lyon say they only take Rhônexpress when work pays, using bus 47 plus tram T3 or other TCL routes the rest of the time for a normal city fare instead of €16‑17. A frequent flyer on FlyerTalk summed it up as “reliable and idiot‑proof,” but admits the price stings once you know these cheaper combinations.
Complaints cluster around cost, ticket inspections, and comfort: multiple users call the fare “scandalous,” report strict checks with high penalties, and mention standing‑room‑only with limited luggage space at commuter peaks. One long thread also flags that during national rail strikes, Rhônexpress can get truncated at Vaulx‑en‑Velin La Soie, leaving you to continue by tram T3 into Lyon.
Door‑to‑door, people say it often runs 35‑40 minutes once you add the 5‑10 minute airport walk and some waiting, so an off‑peak taxi from Terminals 1 or 2 can beat it in time for a similar or slightly higher price when traffic is light. Practical tip: check the schedule for your exact arrival time and buy tickets online in advance to lock in promos and skip the onboard surcharge.