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Car hire at Lyon Airport

Hiring a car at Lyon Airport

Lyon Airport (LYS) is an international airport that services the third biggest city in France. Some of the most popular car hire companies at the airport include Keddy Europcar, Hertz and Sixt. It's close location to Lyon and the Rhône-Alpes means that it tends to be a very busy airport. You can reach the centre of Lyon in around 40 minutes (just under 30km) via the N346. You can also get to the Rhône-Alpes region in an hour or so, depending on your resort, if you fancy a bit of skiing. Simply take the A43 and turn onto the A48 if this is your destination.

Beginning your trip at Lyon Airport means you have plenty of options when it comes to where in France you want to visit. This is why hiring a car from the airport is such as great idea, as then you have more destinations open to you.

What you need to know

There is a dozen car hire companies operating at Lyon Airport, ensuring you have a good selection of vehicle types, packages and prices. You can make it simpler to pick your car by using Holiday Autos' booking tool, which will lay out all of your options and ensures no hidden charges.

You also have the peace of mind that free cancellation and around the clock support provides, so you know that there are people at hand to help if you have any problems. This means you can get on with planning your trip and enjoying your time in Lyon.

Where to pick up your car

You'll find the car hire offices set slightly away from the terminal buildings, but there are free shuttle buses that run regularly from outside each of the terminals. Both Terminal One and Three are served by the same bus stop, while Terminal Two has a separate stop outside.

All bus stops are well sign-posted so you shouldn't have any trouble finding where you need to go. Once you've collected your luggage, you can simply hop on one of the regular buses and then be on your way in your hire car.

Best Car Hire Companies

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Car Hire Reviews

  • “The pick-up was easy, it took 5 minutes from arriving at the desk to driving out the car, and the return took even less time.”
    Diane T

Where to go

As soon as you have your car, Lyon and the areas beyond are completely open to you. You can drive along the beautiful Rhône and Saône rivers to take in the views, explore the vibrant and historical city or strap your skis on and head down the slopes. There really is so much to do and see no matter the weather that you will never have a dull moment, especially if you've hired a car in order to travel around the region with ease.

If you want a break from the sights, you can head to the shopping district, which offers everything from well-known names to sophisticated boutiques. There is also a great clubbing scene, so the fun doesn't need to stop once the sun goes down.

Nearby Lyon Airport

After the busy airport, it can be a nice idea to escape the hustle and bustle in order to relax and get your bearings. One of the best places to do this is Parc de la Tete d'Or, which is just 27km away from Lyon Airport via the N346. The huge urban park covers 117 hectares and offers stunning green spaces, a beautiful lake and colourful gardens. It is the perfect place for a picnic or just to stretch your legs after your flight.

If you want to see a bit more of Lyon as soon as you land, drive 40km down the A7 to the gorgeous Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere. Not only does the basilica give you a chance to appreciate the amazing architecture of the 1800s; it also provides fantastic views over the city. The inside is just as ornate as the exterior, so you will definitely want to spend some time exploring Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere.

Longer drives

For those who want to get active while staying in Lyon, skiing is really the best option. One of the closest resorts to Lyon Airport is La Chapelle, which is around 80km away, with the journey including some toll roads. Here you can enjoy a number of slopes suitable for different abilities. Even if you don't want to hit the slopes, you can enjoy the rustic feel to the resort and the stunning views.

Lyon is also located quite close to Macon, which is a small city that is worth a visit. Just over 92km away from Lyon Airport via the A6 - tolls are charged - Macon has a lovely Mediterranean feel. The city runs along the River Saône, meaning you can explore it by boat as well as road.

Top attractions to visit near Lyon Airport

Hiring a car at Lyon Airport allows you to explore the wonderful sights of Lyon, including some of its top attractions.

Theatres Romains de Fourviere

Just south of the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere is the Theatres Romains de Fourviere. Built on a hill offering great views of Lyon, the theatre was constructed by the Romans between 17 and 15 BC. It was also expanded during the reign of Hadrian, so you can see if you can work out which parts are original. The area contains the ruins of three Roman structures in total, which still retain much of their original detail.

Musée des Beaux Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts can be found in the centre of Lyon, offering a peaceful break away from the busy city. The building itself is absolutely beautiful, built in the 17th century and showcasing some typical French architecture. Inside you'll find more than 70 rooms featuring exhibitions that range from antiques to more contemporary pieces. Fans of art really cannot miss paying a visit.

Centre d'histoire de la résistance et de la déportation

You can learn about a different aspect of history at the Centre d'histoire de la résistance et de la déportation. Located on the site of a former military school, the museum gives insight into the French Resistance and the Jewish deportation across France during World War II. The interesting history will take you through some of the most important events that took place during the German occupation of France.

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