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Airport Transportation

Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport

Also known as: Lyon Airport, Saint-Exupéry Airport. Formerly Lyon Satolas Airport.

LYS · LFLL · Lyon

Airport facts

Name
Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport
IATA code
LYS
ICAO code
LFLL
City
Lyon
Country
France
Coordinates
45.7260, 5.0901
Time zone
Europe/Paris
Terminals
Terminal 1 (Terminal 2 closed since April 2026)

About Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport

Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS) is the main airport for Lyon and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It lies in Colombier-Saugnieu, about 20 km southeast of Lyon city center, and handled about 10.7 million passengers in 2025.

easyJet is the largest airline here, with flights to London, Barcelona, Madrid, Athens and many other European cities. Air France links Lyon with Paris–Charles de Gaulle and French cities such as Marseille, Nice and Bordeaux, and Transavia flies to Paris–Orly and North Africa. Lufthansa, KLM, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates and Air Canada connect Lyon with their hubs.

Since 1 April 2026, all flights use Terminal 1, including its satellite with the D gates. Terminal 2 has closed and no reopening date has been announced.

The airport has its own TGV station, with direct high-speed trains to Paris and Marseille, and the Rhônexpress tram reaches Lyon Part-Dieu in about 30 minutes. Coaches run to Grenoble, Chambéry and Saint-Étienne, and in winter to Alpine ski resorts such as Tignes, Val d'Isère and Val Thorens.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

Aéroports de Lyon, owned by VINCI Airports and the Caisse des dépôts

Runways

Two parallel runways of 4,000 m and 2,670 m

Passengers per year

About 10.7 million in 2025

Opened

April 1975, as Lyon Satolas; renamed in 2000

Arrival tips for Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport

If you fly in from outside the Schengen area, including the UK, North Africa and Canada, you pass border police before baggage claim. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens with biometric passports can often use the PARAFE automated gates. Non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) on their first entry, which takes fingerprints and a facial photo, so allow extra time. Flights from Schengen countries skip passport control.

Collect your bags from the carousel shown for your flight. If you are carrying skis or other large sports equipment, it usually comes out at a separate oversized-baggage point. Report missing or damaged luggage at your airline's desk before you leave the baggage hall, then walk through customs: the green channel if you have nothing to declare, the red channel if you do.

All flights now arrive at Terminal 1, so there is one arrivals hall. Signs lead to the Rhônexpress tram, the TGV station, the coach stops and the taxi rank. Turn down ride offers made inside the building.

Ground transportation

The Rhônexpress tram is the quick link to central Lyon; for the Alps, a coach or private transfer avoids changes.

  • Rhônexpress tram to Lyon Part-Dieu

    Runs from the airport to Lyon Part-Dieu station in about 30 minutes. Fast and simple, but you may need a taxi or metro from Part-Dieu to your hotel.

  • TGV trains

    The Lyon Saint-Exupéry TGV station, under Santiago Calatrava's canopy, has direct high-speed trains to Paris and Marseille.

  • Coaches to Grenoble, Chambéry and Saint-Étienne

    Regional coaches leave from outside the terminal. Cheap, but timed to a schedule rather than your flight.

  • Ski resort coaches

    In winter, coach shuttles run to Alpine resorts such as Tignes, Val d'Isère and Val Thorens. Seats sell out on peak weekends.

  • Taxis

    Official taxis wait at the rank outside Terminal 1. Convenient, though queues can build when several flights land together.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked driver meets you in the Terminal 1 arrivals hall and takes you to Lyon, Geneva or a ski resort, with room for skis and luggage.

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Terminals

Terminal 1

Handles all flights since 1 April 2026. It includes the expanded building opened in 2018 and a satellite with the D gates, reached by tunnel and used mainly by easyJet and Transavia.

Terminal 2

Closed since 1 April 2026, when its flights moved to Terminal 1. No reopening date has been announced.

Airlines and destinations

A partial list of the main airlines, reviewed in October 2026. All flights currently use Terminal 1; confirm routes with the airline.

Air Canada T1

Montréal

Airline guide

Air France T1

Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, Paris–Charles de Gaulle and more

Airline guide

British Airways T1

London–Heathrow

Airline guide

easyJet T1

Athens, Barcelona, London, Madrid and more

Airline guide

Emirates T1

Dubai

Airline guide

KLM T1

Amsterdam

Airline guide

Lufthansa T1

Frankfurt, Munich

Airline guide

Royal Air Maroc T1

Casablanca, Marrakesh

Airline guide

Transavia T1

Dubai–Al Maktoum, Marrakesh, Paris–Orly, Tunis and more

Airline guide

Turkish Airlines T1

Istanbul

Airline guide

Frequently asked questions

How far is Lyon airport from the city center?

Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport is about 20 km southeast of Lyon city center, in Colombier-Saugnieu. The Rhônexpress tram reaches Lyon Part-Dieu station in about 30 minutes, and taxis and private transfers go by road.

How do I get from Lyon airport to Part-Dieu?

Take the Rhônexpress tram, which runs from the airport to Lyon Part-Dieu station in about 30 minutes. Part-Dieu is Lyon's main railway station, with connections to the metro, trams and trains across France.

Does Lyon airport have a train station?

Yes. The Lyon Saint-Exupéry TGV station, known for its Santiago Calatrava canopy, is part of the airport. High-speed trains run direct to Paris and Marseille, so you can travel on without going into Lyon.

Is Terminal 2 open at Lyon airport?

No. Terminal 2 closed on 1 April 2026 and all flights moved to Terminal 1, including the satellite with the D gates. No reopening date has been announced, so every arrival and departure currently uses Terminal 1.

How do I get from Lyon airport to the ski resorts?

In winter, coach shuttles run from the airport to Alpine resorts such as Tignes, Val d'Isère and Val Thorens. Regional coaches also go to Grenoble and Chambéry. A private transfer takes you straight to your resort with your ski equipment.

Was Lyon airport called Satolas?

Yes. The airport opened in 1975 as Lyon Satolas Airport and was renamed Lyon Saint-Exupéry in 2000, on the centenary of the birth of the Lyon-born writer and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Its TGV station took the same name.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

Book a transfer from LYS