Lyon

Lyon is located in east-central France at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers, about halfway between Paris and Marseille. The city sits between the Massif Central and the Alps, offering a varied landscape of hills, riverbanks, and urban plateaus.

The best time to visit Lyon is during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, when the weather is mild, crowds are smaller, and prices are generally lower. Summer brings festivals and longer days, but also heat and tourist traffic, while winter is quieter but colder.

The best weather is a personal preference. We find the best weather for exploring a city is around 55° F and sunny. The weather in Lyon during the winter can be cool and the weather in the summer can be warm, so plan accordingly.

Below is a chart showing the average high and low temperatures for each month, so you can decide what is best for you.

Lyon’s shoulder season runs from April to June and September to October. These months offer pleasant temperatures, lighter crowds, and ideal conditions for sightseeing and dining outdoors.

We spent the entire month of October in Lyon. The weather was cool in the morning but warmed up during the day.

For the best value, plan your visit in April or October. These months offer comfortable weather and fewer tourists, making it easier to find deals on accommodation and enjoy a quieter experience in museums, markets, and restaurants.

For the most immersive experience, we recommend staying in the Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) neighborhood. This UNESCO-listed district is filled with Renaissance architecture, cobbled streets, and boutique hotels set in historic buildings. You’ll find traditional restaurants, hidden courtyards, and easy walking access to landmarks like the Cathedral of Saint-Jean-Baptiste and the traboules. Staying here offers direct access to Lyon’s architectural and culinary heritage.

Use the interactive map below to explore accommodations by date, budget, and amenities.

The main airport serving Lyon is Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport (IATA: LYS), located about 25 km southeast of the city center. It is one of France’s busiest airports outside Paris, offering direct flights across Europe and to select intercontinental destinations. Travel to central Lyon takes around 30 minutes by Rhônexpress tram or taxi.

The main train station in Lyon is Gare de Lyon Part-Dieu, the city’s central rail hub and busiest station outside Paris. Opened in 1983 and expanded in recent years, it serves high-speed TGV routes, regional TER trains, and international lines. Located in the Part-Dieu business district, the station is about 4 km from Vieux Lyon (Old Town), reachable in 15–20 minutes by metro (Line B to Line D transfer) or taxi. The station is well connected to local public transport and features a large shopping center next door.

Lyon is in the Central European Time zone (CET = UTC +1). Daylight saving time is observed from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, during which clocks shift to Central European Summer Time (CEST = UTC +2).

The official currency in Lyon is the euro (€).

French is the official language in Lyon. English is spoken in hotels, major attractions, and many restaurants, especially in tourist areas, but less commonly in smaller shops or suburban neighborhoods.

Citizens from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia don’t need a visa to visit France for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. For more information on visa-free travel in France, check out our article on traveling visa-free.

France uses electrical outlets of Type C and E. These have two round pins (Type C) or two round pins with a grounding slot (Type E). The standard voltage is 230V with a frequency of 50Hz.

Travelers from the United States will need a voltage converter and a plug adapter. A compact travel power strip with multiple USB ports can be useful for charging several devices with a single adapter.

Travelers will want a SIM card for France. You can get either a local SIM card or an eSIM card.

To get a local SIM card, you must find a local cellular service provider, often stand in line for assistance, show your passport, and complete some paperwork. The SIM cards work great, but purchasing them is somewhat inconvenient. This option is best if you need more than 5GB of data.

We use eSIMs exclusively because they can be purchased before arrival in a new country and activated when you hit a cell tower in the country. We use Airalo eSIMs. They work great, and I recommend them if you plan to use less than 5 GB of data during your stay or if you need internet immediately on arrival.

The fantastic train system in France makes rental cars unnecessary for most destinations. However, rental cars are needed to reach smaller towns and explore the countryside. In addition to the major car rental companies found in the United States, Sixt and Europcar are common throughout Europe.

For a comparison of rental car offers from large international brands and smaller regional brands, we recommend Discover Cars.