The Rhônexpress is an express tram-train service which connects the centre of Lyon with Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport, and the TGV railway station which is located there.

The route from the airport to the city’s business center at Part-Dieu Villette (Lyon-Part-Dieu train station) is 23 kilometres (14 miles) long, and is currently served by six tram-train sets. There are also stops at Vaulx-en-Velin – La Soie (for transfer to Metro Line A) and Meyzieu Z.I. (which provides transfer to Tramway Line T3 and features a Park & Ride facility). 

The full journey from the airport to Gare Part-Dieu takes approximately half an hour. There is a departure every 30 minutes from 4.25am to 6.00am, every 15 minutes from 6.00am to 9.00pm, and every 30 minutes from 9.00pm until midnight. 

The Rhônexpress functions seven days a week, all year round.

Air conditioning, ample space for luggage, and comfortable seating is provided. Passengers can also access free wifi and electric sockets to recharge mobile phones. Screens are visible in each carriage which offer live flight updates and train schedules. If tickets have been reserved in advance, an sms alert service advises of any problems or delays on the line.

There are four stations on the line:

  • Part-Dieu (Connection with Metro Line B, Tramway Lines T1, T3, and T4) : Airport to Part-Dieu in less than 30 minutes
  • Vaulx-en-Velin-la-Soie (Connection with Metro Line A, Tramway Lines T3, Shuttle Tramway for Parc Olympique Lyonnais on match days): Airport to Vaulx-en-Velin-la-Soie in less than 20 minutes
  • Meyzieu Z.I. (Connection with Tramway T3):  Airport to Meyzieu Z.I. in less than 8 minutes
  • Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport

Wheelchair access

All Rhônexpress stations are designed with accessibility in mind. Quays are either directly accessible from ground level or via elevators. Braille signage indicating levels and locations is also provided. Doors to the carriages are automatically operated, and are specially designed to allow the easy access of wheelchairs. Each tram-train features two dedicated areas for wheelchair-bound passengers that provide greater stability during travel. Additionally, grab bars and seat belts are present to help restrain the chair.

Fares

Rhônexpress has a somewhat complex pricing system. There are a number of packages and reduced rates available but the essential information is that a full price ticket for a one way journey is €15,20 when purchased online, €16.30 from a distributor machine on the quay, and on board there is an additional fee of €4 to pay on every ticket. You are therefore strongly advised to buy tickets online in advance. You can do so (and consult the various ticket options) on the service’s official website here.

Children under 12 years of age travel for free.

Alternative travel

While undoubtedly a reliable, fast, and comfortable service, the Rhônexpress has long been criticised by Lyonnais as being overly expensive. Indeed, it has been recognised as one of the most expensive airport-shuttle services in Europe. 

For those travelling on a budget, there is an alternative: Bus 47 of the TCL service. For the price of a bus ticket (€1.90), passengers can travel to the airport from the Meyzieu Z.I. station (Tramway T3). The journey from Meyzieu takes 30 minutes. Please note that buses are not as frequent as the Rhônexpress. You can check your itinerary here.