Transportation in Lyon
Although Lyon is France's second city, its centre is compact and can be easily navigated on foot. Much of it is historic, and Vieux Lyon, on the west bank of the river Saône, is Europe's largest Renaissance quarter.In the centre, you'll find lively, crowded Presqu'île, which lies between Lyon's two broad rivers, the Rhône and the Saône. West across the Saône lies the Renaissance Vieux Lyon (old town) with its lovely mansions, narrow cobbled streets and covered alleys called traboules leading through Italianate courtyards. The whole quarter is a UNESCO listed World Heritage site. North rises the historic Croix-Rousse residential district with its local bars, restaurants and the longest traboule. East Lyon, across the Rhône, has been much modernised, with slick new architecture, brasseries in Brotteaux, and Part-Dieu, one of Europe's largest shopping malls.
Read more about transport from and to the airport
Foot
The best way to appreciate Lyon's rich history is on foot. Stroll the airy embankments of the two big rivers, Saône and Rhône, which enclose the city-centre Presqu'île. Amble around the narrow streets of Vieux Lyon taking in the stunning Renaissance architecture. Explore the 'montées' (steps) and secretive 'traboules' (covered alleys) that dart from street to street in Croix Rousse.
Métro
Lyon's clean and reliable Métro system is the most convenient way to hop from one district to another. Buy tickets individually, or in books of 10, to travel on the four lines serving the city's 40 stations.
Bus & Tram
Lyon's red and white buses and trams travel along 70 separate routes in and around the city. Although not as quick as the Métro system, they are cheaper.
Taxi
Grab a ride at a cab stand, order a car by telephone or simply hail a taxi on the street. Take a speedy guided tour of the city in one of Lyon's many tourist taxis with English-speaking drivers.
Rent your car
Main roads lead into the heart of Lyon while other boulevards and the Tunnel de Caluire allow you to drive around the edge of the city. There’s both metered on-street parking and car parks; you can book passes for the Parking Parc Opera from the tourist office website (www.en.lyon-france.com).
Transportation Tips
Buy a carnet of 10 Métro tickets from any train station to save on fares, or pick up a Lyon City Card from one of the city's tourism offices for full use of Lyon's public transport system for up to three days. Driving in Lyon is not as challenging as in Paris but beware, parking spaces are scarce during the week, and the Croix Rousse's sloping one-way streets can be tricky.
Special Transportation
Public Bicycle
Lyon's very useful 'Velo'V' scheme allows you to use a payment card to pick up a bike at any one of the dozens of racks around the city centre and leave it at another. Maps showing the racks are available at the 'Velo'V' payment points. Prices are very low. The first 30 minutes are free, which is enough time to get almost anywhere in central Lyon.
