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Lyon – France's third largest city

Lyon has several railway stations. Lyon Part-Dieu is the modern main train station, which opened in 1983. Lyon Perrache is the older station, now mainly serving regional train services.
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Pictures of Lyon: Musée des Confluences, old town and street views

[:en]Lyon old town. Narrow cobblestone walkway.[:]
[:en]Street view in Lyon. Bus and people.[:]
[:en]Museum of Confluences in Lyon. Curved roof structures. In the foreground, a canal with large boats along the shore.[:]
[:en]Narrow street in Lyon[:]

Tickets for public transportation in Lyon can be purchased via the TCL app. This app is available for both iPhones and Android phones. The app offers an interactive map and trip planner, so you can easily find your route.

Additionally, with the Rhônexpress app, you can purchase tickets for the Rhônexpress train that runs from downtown Lyon to the airport. This app is available on both iOS and Android devices.

Tickets can also be bought from machines located at all metro and tram stations as well as at the major bus stops.

Transitapp claims to be the best app for Lyon: “We’re dedicated to giving you the best possible app for Lyon transit.”

 

The metro system lines are as follows:

    • Line A: Perrache – Vaulx-en-Velin–La Soie
    • Line B: Charpennes–Charles Hernu – Saint-Genis-Laval–Hôpital Lyon Sud
    • Line C: Hôtel de Ville–Louis Pradel – Cuire
    • Line D: Gare de Vaise – Gare de Vénissieux

The Lyon metro is part of the Transports en Commun Lyonnais (TCL) public transportation system, which is supported by two funiculars and a tram network. Unlike other metro systems in France, similar to RER and other SNCF services, Lyon metro trains run on the left. This is due to an unfulfilled project to run the metro on existing suburban railway lines.

The Lyon metro features rubber-tired cars, which is typical of French metro systems. In 2018, the average weekday ridership was 755,000.

The Lyon metro is a rapid transit system serving the Lyon metropolitan area in France. It first opened in 1974 and currently consists of four lines serving 42 stations along a 34.4-kilometer route.

There are several main train stations in Lyon:

Lyon Part-Dieu is Lyon’s modern main train station, which opened in 1983. It is located at 5 Place Charles Beraudier, Lyon, 69003. This station is the primary railway station in Lyon, from where trains depart to numerous destinations. For example, trains to Turin and Milan depart daily, and there is also a short distance to Switzerland, with about eight trains per day to Geneva. Additionally, there is a quick, once-a-day direct connection to Basel, Baden-Baden, Frankfurt am Main, Girona, and Barcelona.

Lyon Perrache is an older station that now mainly serves regional train services. Lyon-Saint-Paul is located in the 5th arrondissement of Lyon and is the terminus for local trains serving the city’s western suburbs. Lyon Jean Macé is located at pl Jean Macé, 69007 Lyon. Gare de Vaise is situated in the Vaise neighborhood of Lyon, in the 9th arrondissement.

Additionally, there is the Lyon St Exupéry station, which is located at the airport, 25 km east of Lyon city center. This station is connected to the city center via a regular Rhônexpress train service. From this station, there are train connections to several destinations, including Valence, Montélimar, Orange, Avignon, Montpellier, Arles, Miramas, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Toulon, Les Arcs-Draguignan, Saint Raphael, Cannes, Antibes, Nice, Annecy, Aix-les-Bains, Chambéry, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Modane, Bardonecchia, Cesana Torinese, Torino, Vercail, Novare, and Milan.

This information is indicative, and the exact details about train connections and schedules should always be checked from up-to-date sources, such as SNCF or Trainline websites. Lyon’s train stations offer a wide range of services and connections, making travel easy and comfortable.

Railway companies operating at Lyon’s stations:

Several different railway companies operate at Lyon’s train stations. The main operator is Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français (SNCF), which is France’s national railway company. SNCF provides a wide range of train connections throughout France and Europe.

Additionally, Eurostar offers direct connections to London, Thalys provides connections to Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, and TGV Lyria offers connections to Switzerland.

There are also several regional and local train services that operate at Lyon’s stations. These services provide connections within the city of Lyon and to surrounding areas.

For accurate information on train connections and schedules, it is always best to check up-to-date sources, like SNCF or Trainline websites. Note that information may change, so it’s advisable to verify schedules and connections before traveling.

Furthermore, it’s important to consider that the services and connections at train stations may vary depending on the size and location of the station. For instance, larger stations like Lyon Part-Dieu and Lyon Perrache have broader services and more train connections than smaller stations.

There are metro and bus stations associated with the aforementioned stations

Lyon’s train stations have connections to both metro and bus stations, making travel in the city smooth and convenient.

Lyon Part-Dieu: This station is connected to Lyon’s metro line B, which provides connections to various parts of the city. Additionally, the station has several bus lines that offer connections within the city of Lyon and to surrounding areas.

Lyon Perrache: This station is connected to Lyon’s metro line A and tram lines T1 and T2. The station also has multiple bus lines.

Lyon-Saint-Paul: This station is connected to Lyon’s tram line T1 and several bus lines.

Lyon Jean Macé: This station is connected to Lyon’s metro line B and tram line T2. The station also has numerous bus lines.

Gare de Vaise: This station is connected to Lyon’s metro line D and several bus lines.

Lyon St Exupéry: This station is located at the airport and is linked to the city center via a regular Rhônexpress train service. The station also has several bus lines.

This information is indicative, and accurate information regarding public transport connections should always be checked from up-to-date sources, such as Lyon’s public transport websites. Note that the information may change, so it’s advisable to verify schedules and connections before traveling.

Access to the stations via public transport:

By metro: Lyon’s metro network is extensive and efficiently connects various parts of the city. For instance, you can reach Lyon Part-Dieu station directly via metro line B.

By tram: Lyon’s tram network is also extensive and offers connections to many areas of the city. For example, you can reach Lyon Part-Dieu station directly via trams T1, T3, and T4.

By bus: Lyon has an extensive bus network that provides connections to various parts of the city. For example, you can reach Lyon Part-Dieu station directly via several bus lines.

Lyon has several important bus terminals that provide connections both within the city and to external destinations. Here are some of the key ones:

Perrache: This is one of Lyon’s largest transportation hubs, featuring both a train and a bus station. It is located near the city center and offers connections to many local and international destinations.

Part-Dieu: This is another major transportation hub in Lyon, boasting both a train and a bus station. Situated in the commercial center of the city, it provides connections to numerous local and international destinations.

Gare Routière de Lyon: This is Lyon’s main bus station, located near the Perrache railway station. It offers connections to many local and international places.

Gare de Vaise: This is another significant bus station in Lyon, located on the western side of the city. It provides connections to various local destinations.

Lyon’s public transportation system, Transports en Commun Lyonnais (TCL), has a website that offers up-to-date information on bus schedules and routes. The site also features an interactive map that displays routes and stops, and you can track buses in real-time. In addition, TCL has a mobile app that provides the same information and features.

There are also other services that offer information on public transportation schedules and routes, such as Google Maps and Citymapper. These services can be useful if you want to plan a trip using various modes of transport.

TCL services | TCL

TCL SYTRAL, Lyon – bus Schedules, Routes & Updates (moovitapp.com)

Lyon has two funiculars that are part of the city’s public transportation system. These funiculars, which are essentially inclined elevators, offer a unique way to move around the city, especially on its steep slopes.

Funiculaire de Fourvière (F1): This funicular runs between Vieux Lyon and Fourvière. It is particularly popular among tourists because it provides easy access to the hill of Fourvière, which boasts stunning views of the city.

Funiculaire de Saint-Just (F2): This funicular also departs from Vieux Lyon, but its endpoint is in the Saint-Just area. It serves local residents and connects to several schools and residential neighborhoods.

Both funiculars are part of the TCL (Transports en Commun Lyonnais) public transportation system.

 

Lyon has:

  • 4 metro lines
  • 5 tram lines
  • 2 funicular lines
  • 130 bus lines

The authority responsible for public transport in Lyon is TCL (Transports en Commun Lyonnais). TCL operates the metro, tram, and bus network in Lyon.

There is also another entity, Sytral.

Sytral and TCL work together but have different roles in the organization of public transport in Lyon.

Sytral is a public organization responsible for managing transportation in the Lyon area. It defines transportation policies, develops transport systems, finances networks, and promotes “soft” modes of transport. Sytral delegates the operation of networks to private operators.

On the other hand, TCL (Transports en Commun Lyonnais) is one of these private operators that runs the metro, trams, and buses in Lyon. The role of TCL is to implement the transportation policies defined by Sytral and provide public transportation services in the Lyon area.

In simple terms, Sytral plans, and TCL executes.

Keolis also plays a significant role in Lyon’s public transport. It is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Transports en Commun Lyonnais (TCL) transportation network on behalf of SYTRAL Mobilités (the organizing authority). Keolis operates various modes of transport in the Lyon area, including metro, tram, funicular, trolleybus, bus, and autonomous electric shuttle lines.

TCL – Transports Communs Lyonnais | TCL

Missions – Sytral

Keolis remains operator of Lyon public transport network (intelligenttransport.com)

Lyonilla has a long history

A historical and culturally rich city, home to about 500,000 people.

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From the era of the Roman Empire

Lyon has a rich history that dates back to the Roman Empire, when it was known as Lugdunum.

Competed with Paris

By the end of the Middle Ages, Lyon became France's economic center and continued to develop as a competing urban center with Paris.

The confluence of rivers

Lyon is located at the confluence of two rivers, the Rhône and the Saône, which has influenced the city's development in many ways.

Old Town

The old town of Lyon, Vieux Lyon, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it is filled with beautiful Renaissance-style buildings.

Moderate continental climate

Lyon's climate is a moderately continental climate, characterized by fairly cold winters and warm, even hot summers.

Shopping and nightlife

The city offers many shopping opportunities, such as boutiques in the Presqu’île area and the Part-Dieu shopping center. Lyon has plenty of bars, clubs, and live music venues.