Auvergne-rhone-alpes France Travel Guide
The metro has four lines (A, B, C, D). Line D operates fully automated trains. Trams (T1-T7) complement the underground, serving business districts and housing areas. Buses and trolleybuses reach all corners of the city. Two funicular lines connect Vieux Lyon to Fourvière hill and Saint-Just district, integrated into TCL.
Single Ticket (€2.10) valid 1 hour. Carnet (10 tickets, €19.50) for a discount. Daily Passes: 24h (€6.50), 48h (€12.50), 72h (€16.50).
Metro: ~5 AM to 12:30 AM (weekdays), 2 AM (Fri/Sat). Trams & Buses: ~4:30 AM to midnight. High frequency during peak hours.
Modern stations, trams, and newer buses are generally accessible with ramps and elevators. The TCL website details accessibility for routes and stations.
Automated retail machines accept coins, banknotes, and plastic.
Contactless payment (credit card or phone) at ticket gates on some lines offers quick entry.
Validate your ticket at the turnstile or machine at the start of each journey. Not doing so do so incurs a fine.
Consider a Lyon City Card for savings and convenience.
Taxis and ride-sharing services provide convenient alternatives, specifically for direct trips or when carrying luggage.
Traffic is often heavy during rush hour in and around Lyon, potentially impacting travel times.
Taxis and ride-sharing suit direct trips or when managing luggage, offering door-to-door service.
These options are generally costlier than public transit for single travelers or short distances.
For more independence or specific activities, consider hiring a car.
Lyon's popular public bike-sharing system has a large number of stations throughout the city. Purchase a 1-day, 3-day, or 7-day pass.
The first 30 minutes of each ride are often free or very cheap.
Several shops offer daily or weekly bike rentals, including e-bikes. This suits longer excursions or specific bike tours.
Suitable for more specialized cycling needs.
Lyon has a growing network of dedicated bike lanes, making cycling a safe and enjoyable way to explore.
Helmets are recommended but not mandatory for grown-ups.
Lyon is a city best explored on foot or by bike, specifically in its historic districts and along the rivers.
Several companies offer hop-on-hop-off bus tours with audio guides. These tours cover main sights and present a good overview of the city.
Various companies offer scenic boat tours on the Rhône and Saône, ranging from quick sightseeing cruises to dinner cruises. These tours provide distinctive viewpoints of the city's architecture and bridges.
As part of the TCL network, both funicular lines (F1 to Fourvière, F2 to Saint-Just) are useful for accessing the Roman ruins and Basilica on Fourvière hill from Vieux Lyon. They present a quick ascent.
Download the official TCL application for real-time-time schedules and mapping out your journey. This app assists your journey.
Purchase a Lyon City Card if you're planning extensive sightseeing and transport use. The card suits savings and convenience.
