Home › Travel Guides › Europe Travel Guide › France › Lyon › Getting around Lyon

Getting around Lyon

Public transport: 

Transports en Commun Lyonnais (TCL) (tel: 0820 427 000; www.tcl.fr), operates the bus, tramway and Metro systems, as well as Lyon's two funiculaires.

The Metro network in Lyon is excellent - clean and easy to use, with four different lines (A, B, C and D) and 40 stations. The central bus station is based at Lyon Perrache railway station.

A single ticket gives access to all public transports for one hour, including connections but not return journeys. Single tickets and books of 10 tickets (carnet) can be bought from automatic ticket machines in Metro stations, bus drivers, TCL offices and newsagents. The Liberté Ticket pass allows access to the whole TCL network for one day.

Taxis: 

Providers include Taxis Lyonnais (tel: (04) 3728 5555), Taxis Radio (tel: (04) 7210 8686) and Allo Taxi (tel: (04) 7828 2323). It is also possible for travellers to hail taxis in the street or from taxi ranks. Drivers do not expect tips.

Driving: 

The centre of Lyon is best explored on foot. Nevertheless, driving in Lyon is not as bad as it is in some other French cities, although the tunnels are best avoided during rush hour. Lyon has parking facilities in the Presqu'île area, at both railway stations and in Old Lyon.

Car hire: 

The minimum age for hiring a car is 18, although this may vary according to the company. Insurance is required, as is a national driving licence. Service providers include ADA (tel: (04) 7837 9393; www.ada.fr), Avis (tel: 0802 050 505; www.avis.fr), Europcar (tel: 0825 009 900; www.europcar.com) and Sixt (tel: (04) 7222 7272; www.sixt.fr).

Bicycle hire: 

All-terrain and mountain bikes (VTT) can be hired from Loisirs VTT, Le Bourg in Pollionnay in the west of the city or at 88 quai Pierre Scize in the centre (tel: (04) 7848 1545 or 7839 3939; www.loisirs-vtt.fr). Vélo'V hires bikes from strategic points over the city. When you're done you can drop your bike at any of their hire stations, 24 hours a day (tel: 0800 083 568; www.velov.grandlyon.com).

Travel Deals

Recommended Sites:

Protect yourself from malaria
Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.
(An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010)
Africa, the way it should be seen
We´re cutting the cost of Africa overland trips by up to a whopping 40%. 25% off many trips departing by 30/6/12.
Thailand Holidays from £349pp
Tailor made beach, city and multi-centre holidays to Thailand.
Travel insurance
For residents of over 150 countries. High levels of medical, evacuation, emergency & most adventure activities covered.