Lyon travel guide

Lyon Tourism | Lyon Guide

You're Going to Love Lyon

With a population of 472,317, Lyon is a must-see destination in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country.

When to visit Lyon

Lyon in January
Estimated hotel price
RM 572
1 night at 3-star hotel
Lyon in January
Estimated hotel price
RM 572
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Lyon in July, when the average temperature is 21 °C, and the highest can go up to 26 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 0 °C, with an average temperature of 3 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in October, when precipitation is around 80 mm. In contrast, January is usually the driest month of the year in Lyon, with an average rainfall of 40 mm.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Lyon

Plane

When flying to Lyon, you’ll arrive at Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport (LYS), which is located 13 miles from the city centre. The shortest flight to Lyon from Malaysia departs from Kuala Lumpur and takes around 24h 30m.

Train

SNCF is the only carrier operating train routes to Lyon. The train journey from Lyon to Montpellier takes 1h 26m and costs around RM 52 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Marseille, expect to pay about RM 57 for a 1h 28m trip. Located 0.8 miles from the city centre, Lyon Perrache is the busiest station in Lyon. Another popular train station is Lyon Part-Dieu, located 1.2 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Lyon is to pick up a car hire from Cannes, which is about 186 miles from Lyon. You’ll find branches of keddy by Europcar and Goldcar Rental SP, among others, in Cannes.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Lyon, including BlaBlaBus, FlixBus and ALSA. From Grenoble, the bus ride to Lyon takes 85 miles and will cost you around RM 52. From Grenoble, the ticket costs about RM 85 for a journey of 105 miles. The most popular bus station is Lyon Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie, located 4 miles from the city centre of Lyon. Lyon Place Bellecour is also a commonly used station, and is 0.2 miles from the city centre.

Plane

When flying to Lyon, you’ll arrive at Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport (LYS), which is located 13 miles from the city centre. The shortest flight to Lyon from Malaysia departs from Kuala Lumpur and takes around 24h 30m.

Train

SNCF is the only carrier operating train routes to Lyon. The train journey from Lyon to Montpellier takes 1h 26m and costs around RM 52 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Marseille, expect to pay about RM 57 for a 1h 28m trip. Located 0.8 miles from the city centre, Lyon Perrache is the busiest station in Lyon. Another popular train station is Lyon Part-Dieu, located 1.2 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Lyon is to pick up a car hire from Cannes, which is about 186 miles from Lyon. You’ll find branches of keddy by Europcar and Goldcar Rental SP, among others, in Cannes.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Lyon, including BlaBlaBus, FlixBus and ALSA. From Grenoble, the bus ride to Lyon takes 85 miles and will cost you around RM 52. From Grenoble, the ticket costs about RM 85 for a journey of 105 miles. The most popular bus station is Lyon Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie, located 4 miles from the city centre of Lyon. Lyon Place Bellecour is also a commonly used station, and is 0.2 miles from the city centre.

Airports near Lyon

Airlines serving Lyon

Lufthansa
Good (4,491 reviews)
KLM
Good (824 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,284 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,612 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,253 reviews)
Air France
Good (972 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,534 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (482 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,845 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,108 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,469 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,460 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (219 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (801 reviews)
Finnair
Good (898 reviews)
LOT
Good (672 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,116 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (889 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (813 reviews)
Ethiopian Air
Good (372 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Lyon

From 5-star hotels such as the Intercontinental Lyon Hotel Dieu to great affordable options like the Hôtel des Congrès, Lyon offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around RM 511 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to RM 1,225 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Pilo Lyon and ibis budget Lyon Centre - Gare Part-Dieu. There are also lots of holiday rental options in Lyon, with prices from RM 212 to RM 1,902 per night. 3rd arrondissement is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Lyon are about 8% cheaper than a hotel room in the city.

3rd arrondissement - In Lyon’s most popular neighbourhood to stay, recommended hotels include Appart'City Lyon Part Dieu, Campanile Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu and Montempô Lyon Part Dieu.

1st arrondissement - Here you’ll find travellers’ favourites such as Hôtel de Paris, Grand Hotel Des Terreaux and Away Hostel & Coffee Shop. The average nightly price for a double room in 1st arrondissement is RM 229.

5th arrondissement - Villa Florentine, Cour Des Loges and Collège Hôtel have some of the best reviews among hotels in this area. A 3-star room in 5th arrondissement will cost you about RM 701 per night.

3rd arrondissement - In Lyon’s most popular neighbourhood to stay, recommended hotels include Appart'City Lyon Part Dieu, Campanile Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu and Montempô Lyon Part Dieu.
1st arrondissement - Here you’ll find travellers’ favourites such as Hôtel de Paris, Grand Hotel Des Terreaux and Away Hostel & Coffee Shop. The average nightly price for a double room in 1st arrondissement is RM 229.
5th arrondissement - Villa Florentine, Cour Des Loges and Collège Hôtel have some of the best reviews among hotels in this area. A 3-star room in 5th arrondissement will cost you about RM 701 per night.
Most popular hotel in Lyon by neighbourhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Lyon

Most booked hotels in Lyon

Lagrange Apart'hotel Lyon Lumière
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
RM 372+
Hotel Lyon Métropole
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
RM 600+
ibis budget Lyon Gerland
2 stars
Good (6.7, Good reviews)
RM 288+
Hotel du Helder
2 stars
Good (6.5, Good reviews)
RM 288+
Appart'City Lyon Part Dieu
4 stars
Good (6.3, Good reviews)
RM 328+

Hiring a car in Lyon

Sixt, Europcar and Hertz are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to hire a car in Lyon is the Rentscape branch at 75, 75 Rue de la Villette, which is 1 mile from the city centre.

Expect to pay RM 9.95 per litre in Lyon (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between RM 119.36 and RM 159.14. The most frequently booked car type in Lyon is Compact (Class Compact Wagon or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Fiat 500 or similar) is, on average, 66% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Sixt, Europcar and Hertz are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to hire a car in Lyon is the Rentscape branch at 75, 75 Rue de la Villette, which is 1 mile from the city centre.

Expect to pay RM 9.95 per litre in Lyon (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between RM 119.36 and RM 159.14. The most frequently booked car type in Lyon is Compact (Class Compact Wagon or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Fiat 500 or similar) is, on average, 66% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Car hire agencies in Lyon

Hertz

Hertz

Budget

Budget

Sixt

Sixt
Find car hire in Lyon