How do you get to central Lyon from the airport?

The Lyon-Saint Exup é ry airport offers a couple of options: tram or taxi. The tram will directly shuttle you to the city centre for a low cost, with discounts if you're under 25 years old and free seats for kids younger than 12. Otherwise, you can hail a cab, which will cost more can get you door to door with zero stress.

What's the third largest city in France?

Lyon is the third-largest city in the country, covering over 47.87 square kilometres and housing a metropolitan population of more than two million people. Marseille follows Paris as the second-largest city in France .

Yes. Though cheaper to visit than Paris, it's still located in a part of Europe with higher average living costs and is known for its higher-end vacation spots. That places Lyon in the top 36% of the most expensive cities in the world. But don't worry, it can still be an affordable and enjoyable city break if you play your cards right. For example, you can visit in the off-season months of April to May and September to October, when direct easyJet flights to Lyon are at their cheapest and fewer tourists are in the city to raise prices. You can also purchase a Lyon City Card, which provides free airport transfers and public transport as well as access to various museums and activities within the city. And if you want to sample the city's cuisine, eating dinner early means you can avail yourself of early bird discounts many of Lyon's restaurants offer.

What's Lyon most known for?

Lyon is most known for being the food capital of France, a country already renowned worldwide for its gastronomical achievements. However, the city is famous for its unique Lyonnaise cuisine. The city is popular for turning the ingredients from its various food markets into multiple signature meals, including Salade Lyonnaise, quenelles de brochet (pike dumplings), and famous desserts like praline tarts. Lyon is even the birthplace of celebrated French chef Paul Bocuse and boasts more than 20 Michelin-starred restaurants! Feel free to dine at any of them yourself, or head to the city in June to indulge in the Lyon Street Food Festival.

How many days in Lyon is enough?

Three days is the perfect time to explore this French city. You can use your first 24 hours to stop by all of the major attractions in the Renaissance district, Vieux-Lyon, including interesting spots like the Museum of World Puppets and the city's 'traboules' (hidden passageways). An easyJet holiday to Lyon offers a few fun ways you can do so by foot, electric bike, and self-standing scooter, with some guided tours packaged with plenty of food-tasting opportunities so you can quite literally eat your way through the city. From here, you can explore Lyon's current city centre, Presqu'ile. Keep your eyes peeled at the Museum of Illusions or catch a play at the Th éa tre des C é lestins. However, shopaholics will most likely want to put their second day to good use at the high-end boutiques in Presqu'ile-Bellecour. You can then spend your final day relaxing and fully immersing yourself in local life. If you want to go even further, though, you can take some day trips to hike near Grenoble, taste wine at the Beaujolais, or visit the historic city of Dijon.

Which UK airports fly to Lyon

If you're looking for a direct flight to Lyon from the UK, you can fly with easyJet from the following airports: Belfast International , Birmigham , Bournemouth , Bristol , Liverpool , London Gatwick , London Luton , and Manchester .

Is Lyon older than Paris?

It's not - Lyon and Paris are roughly the same age at over 2,000 years old. Lyon was founded by the Romans in the 1st century BCE. Paris was established by the Parisii tribe of Celtic Gauls in the late 3rd century BCE, making it slightly older than Lyon.

What food is the speciality of Lyon?

As France's gastronomic capital, Lyon doesn't have one speciality – it has several. You can try the city's unique take on charcuterie through the dish pâté en croûte, in which pâté is baked in a loaf-shaped shell of flaky pastry before being served. Lyon is also known for popularising one of the most famous cheeses in France: Saint-Marcellin, a soft, creamy cheese that makers in the city cure with white wine. And if you've got a sweet tooth, the Coussin de Lyon is one speciality you'll definitely want to try. Created by local chocolatier Voisin, this confection consists of a green marzipan shell filled with curaçao liqueur-infused chocolate ganache.

Cheap flights to Lyon from

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Flight prices to Lyon

Birmingham to Lyon

from £26.99

Edinburgh to Lyon

from £37.99

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from £26.99

London Luton to Lyon

from £17.99

Manchester to Lyon

from £32.99

Why fly to Lyon?

Lyon really does represent the best things about France; arguably the finest cuisine in the world, beautiful classical French architecture, pavement cafes, perfectly manicured parks and even a World Heritage listed old town. Paris might have the romance, Nice the beach, but Lyon has the food.

Book low-cost flights to Lyon today to explore the gastronomic capital of France.

Things to do in Lyon France

The Rhone and Saone rivers run almost parallel to each other through Lyon, and the small strip of land between the two is the main hub of activity. This is where you'll be able to photograph the impressive Palais de la Bourse de Lyon, built in the 1800s. It's also where you'll find all sorts of high street shops and big open squares like the Place des Terreaux, where you can relax with a quiet drink.

But do make an effort to venture out across the rivers. From the center, cross over the Saone, and you'll find yourself in the heart of Old Lyon. It's one of the largest remaining Renaissance towns in Europe. It's a maze of cobbled streets, old craft workshops, and tiny souvenir stores. The best place to pick up little gifts is on Rue St Jean, which is the main pedestrian street through the old town.

Like Paris, Lyon has an excellent Metro system, so it's really easy to get around the neighborhoods.

Whichever part of the city you're in, keep your eyes open for the famous traboules of Lyon. These are hidden passageways that connect two streets through the building that stands between them. Once forming a way to make access to the river easier, they're now tourist attractions, and many have been adorned with local artwork. The most well-known traboule is the Traboule of the Voracious Court in the central Croix-Rousse district. It's so big that it even boasts its own concrete staircase!

For the best views in Lyon, take the funicular up Fourviere Hill. While it is possible to walk, the funicular will save you time, taking you 427 meters up in just two minutes. At the top of the hill is the Fourviere basilica, and next to it, a large viewing platform where you can look out over the city. On a clear day, you might even be able to see Mont Blanc on the border of France and Italy.

Before heading back down to the city, go and see Lyon's version of the Eiffel Tower. It's not as tall, standing at 86 meters, but it's worth a visit. It looks best at night when it's all lit up. Also, check out the two Roman complexes that are here and the museum, where you can learn more about them.

Lyon's Food Scene

If you're flying from the UK to Lyon for the food, you won't be disappointed. The gastronomy capital of the world, Michelin starred eateries, cafes and bistros abound. Not to mention, the city's own traditional restaurants, known as bouchons offer up a healthy serving of hearty Lyonnaise cuisine, all washed down with a glass of red (this is Beaujolais country after all!). You'll also find markets galore selling everything.

Some good dishes to try are salade Lyonnaise, Lyonnaise potatoes, and rosette de Lyon, which is the city's own take on French cured saucisson. If you've got a sweet tooth, it's got to be coussin de Lyon. It's an unusual treat with an odd-sounding mix of flavors. It's a thick chocolate ganache flavored with curacao liqueur and wrapped up in green-colored marzipan. Strange, but tasty.

Lyon Flight and Hotel Packages

Prepare for your delightful trip to Lyon with easyJet holidays. Along with your flights, book a comfortable stay, choosing from a variety of choices like quaint boutique hotels along the cobblestone streets of Old Lyon or chic modern stays in the vibrant Presqu'ile district. With everything in one easy package, you can relax and enjoy the ride on your holiday to Lyon.

Flying from London? View your London airport options on our London to Lyon flights page.

Not what you're looking for? View all our affordable plane tickets with our helpful Low Fare Finder.

When's the best time to go?

Hottest month

July

Coldest month

January

Best time to visit

Fly to Lyon in June, July or August for hot dry weather and to experience the city at its most vibrant. The long summer days are perfect for wandering around the city and admiring its eye-catching architecture, while a full series of festivals and events showcase Lyon at its lively best. Travel in July to catch the fireworks and celebrations of Bastille Day.

Avoid the crowds

If you fly to Lyon between April and May or September and October, you'll get to enjoy comfortable sightseeing weather coupled with competitive prices. April can prove to be wet, although with the all of the city's awesome museums and world-regarded restaurants to explore, we doubt you'll notice any rainy weather.

Your Lyon Questions Answered

: The Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport offers a couple of options: tram or taxi. The tram will directly shuttle you to the city centre for a low cost, with discounts if you're under 25 years old and free seats for kids younger than 12. Otherwise, you can hail a cab, which will cost more can get you door to door with zero stress.