How to plan a trip to Lyon

Lyon, the ancient capital of Gaul and currently the third largest city in France, is a treasure of more than 2,000 years of history considered a Unesco World Heritage Site. The city is famous for having one of the most extensive Renaissance neighborhoods in Europe, Vieux Lyon, and many other points of interest such as the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière or the Parc de la Tête d’Or. There’s so much to see, you’d better spend some time planning your trip to Lyon if you want to make the most of it.

In this post we have proposed to help you with all the details of your trip, so below you can read about such practical aspects as the necessary documentation to travel, the transport to get to the city or the best time to travel among many other tips. When we travel to a new country we always encounter small cultural differences that, although in many cases are precisely what makes the destination interesting, it is also convenient to know them beforehand. Do you want to know what we mean? Then read on!

1. Prepare your documents for travel to Lyon

The documentation required for travel to France will depend on your country of origin. While citizens of the Schengen area and some others such as Switzerland, Japan or New Zealand do not need to apply for a visa, the rest will need to submit an online application which costs 80€ and usually takes between 10 and 15 working days.

These are all the documents you need to prepare before applying for the visa:

• Visa application form: you must complete the form corresponding to the type of visa you are applying for (short stay or long stay).
• Card-type photographs: you will need two recent photos that meet the photo requirements for Schengen visas.
• Valid passport: your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years, have a minimum validity of 3 months after the end of your intended stay and at least two blank pages.
• Copies of previous visas, if applicable.
• Travel medical insurance: must cover the entire Schengen territory with a minimum of €30,000.
• Complete itinerary: details of your trip, including how you plan to get to France and proof of your return or onward travel.
• Proof of financial means: documentation demonstrating how you will cover the costs of your stay.
• Proof of accommodation: this can be a hotel reservation, a hosting certificate, a rental agreement, or a certificate of ownership.
• Criminal record certificate from the country of origin.
• Proof of payment of visa fee: visa processing costs €80.

For citizens of the Schengen area, you will only need to present your identity card or passport at the airport and when entering France. In this way you can stay up to 90 days in the country, but remember that the passport and ID card must be in order and not have exceeded the expiration date. If you travel by land you will not need to present any documents.

You should also note that if you intend to stay longer than 90 days you will need to apply for a visa. This is also the case for study and business travel. With the Passporter App you will be able to carry all the documentation in an orderly manner and always have it at hand.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to Lyon

The best time to visit Lyon is during spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). However, at any time of the year the city will welcome you with open arms. The best time will also depend on your interests.

In spring you can enjoy pleasant temperatures and landscapes full of flowers, with the advantage of fewer crowds compared to summer. This season is perfect for exploring the outdoors and participating in local festivals.

Summer brings with it hot weather, more tourists and an increase in accommodation prices. But it’s a good time for cultural events and nightlife. However, it can be uncomfortable for those who don’t tolerate high temperatures well.

Autumn offers mild spring-like weather, ideal for visiting without the hustle and bustle of the summer. Winter, on the other hand, is colder and some attractions may close. But the famous Festival of Lights in early December offers a unique reason to consider this time of year.

3. Find out how to get to Lyon

One of the most popular options for getting to Lyon, especially among international travelers, is to fly into its airport. It receives direct flights from other French cities and European capitals. Once at the airport you can get to the city center in the following ways:

• Rhônexpress: this is a direct streetcar service to Lyon Part-Dieu station, with departures every 15 minutes and a travel time of about 30 minutes. The ticket costs €4 and children under 12 travel free. Also, it is the fastest and most convenient way to reach the center.
• Taxi or Uber: on leaving the airport you can catch a cab that will take you straight to the city center. It is ideal for when you carry a lot of luggage or arrive late. During the day the price is around 50€, and during the night 70€.
• Car Rental: if your intention is to stay in Lyon, we do not recommend this option as you will have trouble parking.

Another popular option for traveling between French cities is the train, which can be regional or the TGV (high-speed train). It is a comfortable option and will drop you off in the city center. This option is also valid for travelers moving from other European cities, but they will most likely have to transfer at some point.

4. Find the accommodation that matches your expectations to enjoy Lyon

Although the city of Lyon is not particularly large, it has 9 districts, among which we highlight 6 neighborhoods that offer different lodging options:

• Presqu’île: located between the Rhone and Saône rivers, this is the heart of Lyon, full of stores, restaurants and bars. It is perfect for those who want to be in the center of the action and close to the main tourist attractions.
• Vieux Lyon: one of the largest Renaissance neighborhoods in Europe, famous for its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and secret passages known as “traboules”. Ideal for history and architecture lovers.
• La Croix-Rousse: known as the hill that works as opposed to the hill that prays (Fourvière), this neighborhood has a bohemian spirit, formerly home to silk workers. It offers spectacular views of the city, as well as markets, cafes and artistic murals.
• Part-Dieu: it is the business center of Lyon, but also a good place to stay due to its convenient train station, shopping center and proximity to several places of interest. Ideal for business travelers or those looking for a comfortable and convenient stay.
• Confluence: located at the southern tip of the Presqu’île, this modern and under renovation neighborhood is noted for its contemporary architecture, museums and shopping centers. Perfect for those who enjoy a modern urban environment.
• Fourvière: although staying here may be less common due to its elevated location and fewer hotel options, it offers the best views of Lyon and is ideal for those seeking tranquility near the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the Roman ruins.

Also, if you want to save on accommodation we recommend you get your act together in advance because the best hotels fly, especially in summer. With the Passporter App you can save your favorite accommodations through Booking, make reservations and save all your accommodation information in an organized way.

5. Choose the activities you want to do in Lyon

Lyon is a city that adapts to all types of trips, from weekend getaways to longer stays of a week. If you want to discover every corner, we recommend spending a minimum of 3 days, and if you also want to explore the surrounding area, a week. With the help of the Passporter App you can plan a trip to Lyon and create your travel itinerary with everything you are interested in seeing. And in this post you can read more in detail about what to see and do in Lyon, as well as the opening times and prices of each attraction: What to see and do in Lyon France

Here’s a quick summary of the must-sees of Lyon:

1. The Old Town: one of the largest Renaissance neighborhoods in Europe, known for its “traboules”, secret passages through buildings connecting streets. Perfect for a stroll full of discoveries.
2. The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière: located on the hill of Fourvière, it offers spectacular views of the city. Its architecture is an impressive blend of Gothic and Byzantine styles.
3. The Parc de la Tête d’Or: it is one of the largest urban parks in France, with a lake, a free zoo, and the large greenhouse. Ideal for a relaxing day or a picnic.
4. The Lyon Museum of Fine Arts: housed in a former Benedictine convent on Place des Terreaux, it has one of the most impressive collections of art in Europe, from antiquity to modernity.
5. Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse: this is a covered market famous for offering the best of French gastronomy, perfect for food lovers who want to try local specialties.
6. The Croix-Rousse district: known for its history as the center of Lyon’s silk industry, today it is a vibrant district full of artists’ workshops, cafes and markets.
7. The Roman Theater of Fourvière: the ancient theater and the Odeon, next to it, are testimonies of the Roman Lyon, Lugdunum, and are still used for festivals and events, especially during the Nuits de Fourvière.
8. The Canuts Wall: one of the largest murals in Europe, depicting daily life in the Croix-Rousse neighborhood, regularly updated to reflect changes in the community.

6. Where and what to eat in Lyon?

The cuisine of Lyon, recognized as the gastronomic capital of France, is famous for its rich and varied culinary tradition, which features rather hearty but comforting dishes. Lyon’s culinary heritage has been passed down from generation to generation through the mothers of the region. Their artisanal recipes reflect the local essence through regional products of the highest quality.

In Lyon you will find both typical taverns and gastronomic restaurants that maintain the legacy of the famous chef Paul Bocuse, a very influential figure both in the city and in world culinary history.

These are the dishes we were recommended to try during our stay:

• Quenelles de Brochet: it is a pike patty, served with crab sauce, emblematic of the Lyonnaise cuisine.
• Coq au Vin: chicken slowly cooked in red wine, with mushrooms, bacon and onions, a French classic with a local touch.
• Tablier de Sapeur: breaded and fried steak, served with tartar sauce, a rustic dish full of flavor.
• Rosette de Lyon: it is a brioche with a traditional and strong-flavored sausage inside. inside.
• Bugnes: are delicious fried strips of dough flavored with vanilla, lemon zest or orange blossom water. They are mainly consumed during carnival, but pastry shops have them all year round.

7. Organize a trip with friends to Lyon

Exploring new destinations with your friends is a great experience, although it can become a real challenge when there are conflicting interests or logistical problems. Even with lifelong friends you may find that you have different ways of organizing a trip or that you don’t feel like visiting the same places. That is why our recommendation is that before embarking on the trip you discuss your expectations and agree on basic aspects such as schedules, points of interest or budget.

At Passporter we want to make it as easy as possible for you, so we have written this post with several tips to help you plan your trip to Lyon with friends: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends. We also encourage you to organize the itinerary and all the details of the trip with the free Passporter App. You will be able to create a common travel route and share your experience through images and comments with other travelers.

8. Tips for planning a trip to Lyon

• The currency in France is the euro.
• You will be able to pay by card in the vast majority of stores.
• Get up early to enjoy the city with fewer people and have time to see everything.
• France uses plug type E, with voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz. Be sure to bring an adaptor if your devices have different specifications.
• The best time to travel to Lyon is in June and September.
• If you are traveling from the European Union you will not need a visa to travel to France, a passport is sufficient.
• The official language is French, but in tourist areas you will be able to communicate in English and other European languages.
• The water in France is drinkable.
• Lyon is a safe city, but it never hurts to keep our belongings in sight.
• Book flights and accommodations in advance for better prices.
• Find out about events or festivals during your visit.
• Sign up for Passporter and discover our Lyon travel itinerary. Using passporter to plan trips is free and helps you get inspiration from other travelers 🙂
• Cover yourself for medical emergencies: travel insured. Choose a good travel insurance, such as Mondo.

9. How to plan what to see on your trip to Lyon

Download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organize your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or typology (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so that they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that most interest you, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. In addition, you will be able to share your experience on how to plan your trip to Lyon.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

10. Frequently asked questions about a trip to Lyon