Car Rental at Lyon St Exupéry Airport

Airport travel guide

Located in the southeastern part of the country, Lyon is one of the most interesting cities in France. A history spanning over two millennia, impressive architecture, and delicious cuisine are some of Lyon’s main draws, and so is the easy access it offers to the French Alps. With that in mind, these are three of the most interesting attractions in and around Lyon. For more, check out what to do if you only have a couple of days in Lyon.

• Lyon Cathedral. Also called St. Jean Cathedral, it is one of the most impressive religious buildings not just in Lyon, but in all of the country. More than 500 years old, this Gothic masterpiece took exactly three centuries to finish, but the effort was clearly worth it. Part of the cathedral complex is an archaeological garden dedicated to the even older churches that used to be located in the same area but have not survived to the present day.
• Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon. More than 200 years old, this is one of the most important art institutions in Lyon, and, indeed, all of France. The museum has vast collections of works by medieval and Renaissance masters from France and abroad, as well as relatively more recent artists such as Picasso, Miró, Matisse, and Ernst.
• Annecy. Sometimes called the Venice of Savoy, Annecy is one of the most charming towns in this part of France. Famous for its many canals, it also boasts an impressive castle, a well-preserved medieval town center, and the Museum of Animated Film (Annecy is the location of one of the most prestigious animation festivals in the world). The trip from Lyon takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Top international routes

• Paris
• Nantes
• Bordeaux
• Toulouse
• Amsterdam
• Frankfurt
• Lisbon
• Madrid
• Tunis
• Munich

Main airlines

easyJet, HOP!, Transavia France, Travel Service, Vueling, and Air Algerie

Terminals

The two terminals are connected to each other, and walking between any two of them is easy. You can also catch a free shuttle bus.

Location

Lyon Airport is about 20 km (13 mi) southeast of downtown Lyon. Motorways D29, D147, D302, N436, and A42, and Boulevard Laurent Bonnevay are the main roads connecting the airport to the city.

Most popular types of rental car

• Small cars - from $14 per day
• Large cars - from $26 per day
• Medium cars - from $16 per day
• SUVs - from $17 per day
• Vans - from $36 per day
• Station wagons - from $36 per day
• Premium cars - from $39 per day

Car rental desks

Most are located in a separate car rental center building, which you can reach by free shuttle bus from the airport. You can find more information on the airport's official website (FR).

Services and facilities

You’ll find many cafés, bars, and restaurants, some specializing in the local cuisine. There’s as variety of shops, with duty-free outlets in both T1 and T2. Lyon Airport also has several ATMs, currency exchanges, an on-site hotel, baby care rooms, a children’s play area, a games area, mobile device charging tables, a medical center, spa, pharmacy, pay showers, and an interfaith prayer room. The left luggage service is located in the Welcome Space–Le Square area on level 1 and is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Lyon Airport is fully equipped for passengers with reduced mobility.

Nearest gas station

Esso, located at 22 Route de Lyon, can be reached in about 13 minutes and is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. There are many other gas stations near Lyon Airport and on the way to the city.

Popular one-way rentals

• Chambery (88 km / 55 miles)
• Annecy (126 km / 78 miles)
• Saint Etienne (77 km / 48 miles)
• Grenoble (92 km / 58 miles)
• Dijon (215 km / 134 miles)
• Geneva (145 km / 90 miles)
• Clermont-Ferrand (192 km / 119 miles)
• Nîmes (267 km / 166 miles)