Car Hire Lyon Saint Exupery Airport

Car Hire

Lyon Airport has good transport links to Lyon city centre, 13 miles to the west. Those that wish to explore Lyon and the Rhone-Alpes region at large usually arrange car hire in Lyon Airport. Trams run to the city in 30 minutes, but cheaper bus connections are also available as well as taxis.

Who to Book With
Five well-known companies offer car rental in Lyon Airport: Avis, Hertz, Europcar, National and Sixt. Each supplier has a desk in Lyon Airport where staff can direct the hirer to the location of the vehicle.

Need to Know Essentials
You will need to show the following documents at vehicle collection:

- Driver’s licence (both parts)
- Credit card used by the booker to make the reservation
- Confirmation of ID by passport
- Confirmation of vehicle booking

For more info read our FAQ's

Driving
Most towns and cities around France have centres that are difficult to access by car due to their age. Large multi-floor car parks and parking spaces in general can be hard to come by. Roads are either autoroutes, national roads or departmental. The majority of autoroutes have toll stations that accept credit cards. In mountainous regions, roads are subject to closure during adverse weather and special equipment such as snow chains may be required in winter.

See our guide to France for more information on driving here.

Transport

When it comes to transportation, Lyon Airport is arguably one of Europe's most accessible transport hubs. Those with their own vehicles generally use the A43, the E711 or the A432 to access the airport from Lyon town centre, while others can rely on a variety of alternative transport, such as the Tram Express, the TGV, buses and taxis.

Trains
Lyon Airport has its own train station. TGV trains can be caught into the centre of Lyon and to destinations in the Alps, northern France and even further afield in neighbouring Italy. A typical fare from Lyon Airport to Lyon city centre on the Rhone Express is about £12 per person.

Taxis
Taxis are available not just to Lyon city centre but to other key destinations around the area, including ski resorts. Credit cards and cheques are accepted unless indicated otherwise. Fares vary depending on the time of day.

Taxi prices:
Lyon Airport to Lyon city centre is about £40
Lyon Airport to Eurexpo is about £30
Lyon Airport to Ecully is about £45
Lyon Airport to Givors is about £55

Buses
Buses are available to Lyon, Annecy, Aix-les-Bains, Bourg-en-Bresse via Balad’AIN, Bourgoin-Jallieu, Chambery, Grenoble via Faure Vercors, Technolac, Voiron. Some services require reservations to be made 36 to 72 hours in advance. Sales desks in the airport are generally open from 07:00 until 22:00 each day.

Facilities

Terminals
Lyon Airport is France's fourth busiest air hub, serving around 8.5 million people every year. It consists of three main terminals, from where it is possible to catch flights to destinations around France, Europe and Africa. Those that wish to fly elsewhere can use Lyon Airport to connect to another major hub such as Paris-Charles de Gaulle for onward flights.

Parking
Lyon Airport has various car parks that are lettered P, P0, P1, P2, P5 and P6. Drivers that wish to use the drop-off area can head to P, while those that need to stay for less than 24 hours can use P2. P0 and P1 are for drivers who wish to leave their vehicle on the premises for up to three days, as is P6. P5 is reserved for vehicle stays of between three and 90 days. Leaving a vehicle at Lyon Airport costs from £5 to £12 per day depending on the parking lot used.

Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi access for 15 minutes is offered to all passengers. After this time, additional minutes must be paid for by credit card.

Information Services
Information desks are easy to find in terminals 1 and 2, as well as at the Lyon Airport Centre.

Useful Numbers
Information: +33 826 800 826
Pharmacy: +33 72 22 85 95
Disabled Persons’ Facilities: +33 825 108 208

Accessibility
Lyon Airport has facilities for those with reduced mobility and special equipment such as wheelchairs can be arranged prior to arrival. The specially-designated drop-off point for disabled passengers is outside Terminal 2. Facilities around the hub include automatic front-doors, elevators and mechanical staircases.

Restaurants and Bars
While there are restaurants in all three terminals, a food court can be found between terminals 1 and 2. Big chains such as Millies Cookies and Pizza Hut are located on the premises but the majority of bars and restaurants are operated by French companies. Segafredo and Cafe Ritazza are two popular places for consuming pre-flight drinks such as coffee and tea.

VIP Lounges
Mont-Blanc VIP Lounge
Lyon Airport Premium Lounge

Money and ATMs
ATMs are located in the central hall that connects Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. There are four in total along with one bureau de change that is also located in the hall and is open between 08:00 and 20:00 Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 19:00 Saturday and 09:00 to 19:00 Sunday.

Shopping
L'Occitane, Danael and AELIA are the main sellers of duty free goods in Lyon Airport. Relay sells essentials such as newspapers, books, drinks and cigarettes. Football fans may purchase souvenirs from the official club shop of Olympique Lyonnais.