Navigating a new city can seem daunting, especially in a new country. However, fear not as this blog will break down all you need to know about the public transport system here in Lyon.
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The Bus
With over 100 bus routes running throughout the city, no matter your location in Lyon you are never far from a bus stop. Buses run frequently, and are very simple to navigate. Each bus stop is clearly signposted and displays a map of bus routes, and many have digital signs to tell you exactly how many minutes away the next bus is. For those which don’t, the TCL live mobile app can provide the same information.
Pros:
Serve the whole city
Accessible
Cons:
More prone to delays than other modes of transport
The Metro
Lyon has 4 metro lines: lines A, B, C and D. These 4 lines serve 34 stops between them, reaching all key areas of the city. All stops are clearly indicated, making it very easy to navigate, and trains depart roughly every two minutes from each station. Even better: constructed in the 70s, the metro has a very modern feel to it, is spacious and a very smooth ride. Covering 34.55 km of Lyon, the metro is the perfect way to quickly travel between places.
Top tip! Unlike other underground rail networks such as the London Underground, it does matter which entrance you use for the Lyon metro - don’t end up on the wrong platform as you’ll have to exit the station to reach the other side! (Entrances are clearly signposted)
Pros:
Fast, efficient travel
Serves key locations in Lyon
Cons:
Serves mostly central locations, so may not be close to your accommodation
The Tram
The newest element of Lyon’s public transport system is the tramline. The tram network consists of 8 lines: lines 1-7, and a final line named the “Rhônexpress” which links Lyon’s “Part Dieu” train station to the international airport “Lyon Saint Exupéry”. The tram mostly serves the edges of the city and the nearby suburbs, which can be very useful when working at MES in order to get to any families that live a bit further out. However, it also serves some key tourist locations such as the Parc de la tête d’or or the Musée des confluences, and connects to Lyon’s other main train station at Perrache.
Pros:
Serves further out locations in Lyon
Transport to the airport!
Cons:
Doesn’t operate within more central locations
Other modes of transport
Although the bus, metro and tram are the main three modes of transport in Lyon, there are other options available! If you want to take a more scenic and independent route, why not use the city bikes? In Lyon, the company “Vélo’v” provides rentable bikes across the city, which can allow you to explore Lyon at your own pace.
What's more, if you are aged between 18 and 25 and a student, the “freevélo’v” programme allows you to collect and keep a bike for free for up to a year! To find out more, visit the “freevelo’v” website.
Lyon is also home to two funiculars. Located at the metro station “Vieux Lyon”, these funiculars can take you either to the Basilica of Notre-Dame or to the Roman Theatres, to avoid a steep uphill walk.
Pros:
Bikes are more environmentally friendly
Keep fit whilst travelling
Cons:
Need to be more familiar with directions in order to navigate the city on a bike
How to pay?
There are two main methods of payment which can be used across the public transport system in Lyon. Firstly, you can make contactless payments with your phone or debit card - this will cost you €2, and allows you to travel across all modes of transport for up to an hour. This is convenient if you are visiting Lyon for a short period of time, however, costs can add up if you consistently pay this way.
A ‘TCL’ card is available and priced according to age, allowing you to pay either monthly or annually to ‘recharge’ the card. Topping up your card can be done in a variety of ways, including at the TCL ticket machines found at every metro station. If you are an android user, then you are in luck as you can purchase a TCL card directly on your phone, using the app. Unfortunately, for other mobile devices the app is not yet available, meaning you will need to visit a TCL office in person in order to get your card - make sure to bring ID with you!
There are also a variety of short-term tickets available, which can be purchased from ticket machines at metro stations or at TCL offices, lasting from one day to one week, and ranging from individual tickets to options for larger groups. More specific details can be found on the TCL website.
Useful Applications
TCL has two useful apps - TCL Lyon and TCL Live. TCL Lyon can help you to map your journeys, whilst TCL Live provides you with live updates on methods of transport.
More generally, apps such as ‘Citymapper’ are very reliable and useful for navigating Lyon, often providing easier routes than those suggested by the TCL Lyon apps. These allow you to explore multiple options for travelling between locations, including providing walking directions if you feel like taking in the city sights by foot!
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