Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport is 25 km from the city, connected by the Rhônexpress tram, which reaches Lyon Part-Dieu station in 30 minutes. Those with a night layover or a dawn flight can sleep a step from the terminal, with the hotel directly connected. Those landing with time to spare and wanting to stay productive choose Part-Dieu, the business and TGV district. Those coming for tourism prefer the Presqu'île, between Bellecour and the great museums, or Vieux Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its traboules and traditional restaurants. Confluence, further south between the Rhône and the Saône, is the choice for those seeking contemporary architecture and a less touristy atmosphere.

Saint-Exupéry Airport

At the airport · Hotel connected to Terminal 1 with a covered walkway; the Rhônexpress tram stop is right opposite, direct to Lyon Part-Dieu in 30 minutes.

Best for: for those with a night layover, a dawn flight, or who want to cut transfer time to zero

Pros

Direct access to the terminal, useful with very early or very late flights
The Rhônexpress stop a short walk away, for those who still want to reach the city

Cons

An isolated area, no city life around
Prices tend to be higher than a city hotel of the same standard

Recommended hotels in this area

NH Lyon Airport: Directly connected to Terminal 1 and 2 by a covered walkway, designed by the architect of the adjacent TGV station.

See more hotels in this area →

Part-Dieu

Near the airport link · Rhônexpress tram from the airport to Lyon Part-Dieu in 30 minutes, with a stop right in front of the station.

Best for: for those landing with time to spare and wanting to stay close to the TGV and the business district

Pros

Rhônexpress terminus and TGV station a few minutes on foot
A practical district, with shops and restaurants open even in the evening

Cons

Less characterful than the Presqu'île or Vieux Lyon
Modern architecture, little connected to Lyon's historic image

Recommended hotels in this area

ibis Lyon Gare Part Dieu: 5 minutes on foot from Part-Dieu station, with private underground parking and an interior patio.
Mercure Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu: A hundred metres or so from the TGV station, with an in-house restaurant and wine bar.

See more hotels in this area →

Presqu'île and Bellecour

City centre · Rhônexpress tram to Part-Dieu in 30 minutes, then metro line A to Bellecour in a few minutes.

Best for: for those who prefer Place Bellecour, the museums and theatres of the centre within reach

Pros

Place Bellecour, the Opéra and the Musée des Beaux-Arts within walking distance
A pedestrian area with shops and restaurants open until late

Cons

Parking scarce and expensive
Central streets crowded on weekends and during events

Recommended hotels in this area

Carlton Hotel Lyon - MGallery Collection: A Haussmann-style building from 1894 between the Opéra and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, 5 minutes from Bellecour metro.
MiHotel Bellecour: Suites with a kitchenette a short walk from Place Bellecour, digital check-in with no physical reception.

See more hotels in this area →

Vieux Lyon

Neighbourhood · Rhônexpress tram to Part-Dieu in 30 minutes, then metro line D to Vieux Lyon in about 15 minutes.

Best for: for those choosing the traboules and the Renaissance façades of the UNESCO historic centre

Pros

Traboules, Saint-Jean cathedral and traditional restaurants on foot
A Renaissance atmosphere, among the most photographed in Lyon

Cons

Narrow lanes, partly uphill towards Fourvière
A very touristy area, crowded on weekends

Recommended hotels in this area

Cour des Loges Lyon, A Radisson Collection Hotel: Four Renaissance palazzi joined by an interior courtyard, with a Michelin-starred restaurant and a spa with a pool.
Collège Hôtel: In the former college of the Saint-Paul district, with some rooms overlooking the rooftops of Vieux Lyon.

See more hotels in this area →

Confluence

Neighbourhood · Rhônexpress tram to Part-Dieu in 30 minutes, then tram to Confluence in about 20-25 minutes.

Best for: for those seeking the contemporary architecture of the new district between the Rhône and the Saône, away from the crowds

Pros

Musée des Confluences and riverside walks on foot
A quieter, less touristy district than the historic centre

Cons

Further from Vieux Lyon and the historic Presqu'île
The tram is needed for almost every trip around the city

Recommended hotels in this area

MOB HOTEL Lyon Confluence: 2 minutes from the Musée des Confluences, with a riverside terrace and a programme of events and yoga classes.
Novotel Lyon Centre-Confluence Bord de Saône: Rooms renovated in 2024 and a bar with a terrace on the Saône, a few minutes from Vieux Lyon and Perrache station.

See more hotels in this area →