Trains to Grenoble or Chambéry in about 1–1.5 hours
TER Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes runs regional trains that link Lyon Part‑Dieu with Grenoble in about 1h20–1h30 and Chambéry in roughly 1h–1h15, so it suits flyers heading on to smaller towns without backtracking through multiple bus transfers. From Lyon Saint‑Exupéry Airport, you use the on‑site TGV station, then usually connect at Part‑Dieu or Perrache onto TER lines covering places like Bourg‑en‑Bresse, Albertville, or the Alpine valleys.
Trains leave Lyon Part‑Dieu for Grenoble and Chambéry roughly every hour off‑peak, while only a handful of TERs actually start or stop at the airport station on any given day. Expect standard fares around €15–20 for Lyon–Grenoble if bought at regular price; Lyon–Chambéry sits in a similar bracket, with occasional promo fares dropping it a few euros. The gap is big enough that a Reddit user called the TER “cheaper than the dedicated buses if you time it right.”
How to ride TER from LYS in 5 steps
- 1. Walk to the station: From Terminals 1 and 2, follow “Gare TGV” signs; walking time averages 5–8 minutes under the covered walkway.
- 2. Buy your ticket: Use SNCF/TER machines in the station hall or the SNCF Connect app; a standard Lyon Part‑Dieu–Grenoble ticket typically prices around €15–20.
- 3. Ride to Part‑Dieu: Board a train bound for Lyon Part‑Dieu or Lyon Perrache; these legs usually take 30 minutes or less from the airport.
- 4. Change to a TER: At Part‑Dieu, follow platform boards to a Grenoble, Chambéry, or Bourg‑en‑Bresse TER; off‑peak, plan on about 1 train per hour on the main routes.
- 5. Validate and keep your ticket: Paper TER tickets need stamping in the yellow machines before boarding; fines on these lines can exceed €50 if inspectors pass by.
What regulars do
Frequent riders on r/Lyon say they deliberately take an earlier TER in winter, especially on the Lyon–Grenoble line, then grab a coffee at the destination rather than risk a tight airport connection. Ski threads point to TER plus local buses as a solid DIY combo to reach places like Chambéry and Albertville for less than many shared shuttles, with the main Grenoble–Alps buses meeting some arrivals on Saturdays between December and March.
Watch out for
Strike days hit TER hard; r/france users repeatedly mention checking the SNCF app the day before, as the Lyon–Grenoble and Lyon–Chambéry routes often appear on strike notices. Saturday morning TERs toward the Alps in January and February get crowded, and reviews complain about ski bags filling the limited racks near doors. Build the buffer: in winter, aim for a train that gets you to the airport at least 2–2.5 hours before departure.
One practical tip: the night before you travel, screenshot your TER itinerary and platform info from SNCF Connect so you’re not hunting for data on a weak 4G signal in the airport station.