Cheap Flights to Lyon Airport

Discover Lyon

Travellers going to the lower middle portion of East France will find Lyon, the third-biggest city in the country. One can go here via Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport, which serves the entire Rhône-Alpes region. It lies 20 kilometres from the city centre, with transportation options ready to take travellers to the city and the surrounding areas.

Opened in 1975, this regional gateway served to be the replacement of the old airport nearer to Lyon due to its proximity to the urban areas. Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport adequately filled the gap as it became a transportation hub through the years. The facilities were upgraded to handle the increasing number of travellers. All three terminals have jetways with two runways aligned north and south. This allows airport landings of big-sized planes transporting travellers on commercial flights.

What to see & do

When going to Lyon, a whirl of exciting activities awaits travellers. One of the best activities to do here is to simply bask in the historical value of the old sites and buildings. Travellers can start with excursions to the old parts of the city with a tour of the Lugdunum de Lyon, which was once a Roman settlement in the 1^st century BCE. The vivid architecture of old buildings harks back to the time when Lyon played a more prominent role in shaping the political, cultural, and development in the area. One of the relics left behind in the city is the ampitheatre of the Three Gauls. It was built above the Gallic market and was later extended at Hadrian's orders. The Roman theatres of the Fourviere are also a must-visit, as it was once the place where the people used to watch tragedies and comedies, as well as hear the Odéon.

From there, one can move on to other parts of the city where one will see a treasury of buildings, old and new. Les Traboules di Vieux Lyon is particularly intriguing with its small passageways that let one weave in and out of various locations in the city away from the crowds. These secret courtyards links one street to another with around 300 traboules open to the public. One can also turn towards Le Quartier du Vieux Lyon. It is one of the largest cities in Renaissance Europe. An archaeological garden can be seen here, as well as the remains of the St. Stephen's Church and St. Croix.

The Fontaine des Jacobins is also another point of interest to watch out for. This magnificent display of architectural talent was done by Gaspard André, who also designed the Célestins Theatre. After viewing the intricate detail of the statues, tourists can move on to the Opéra de Lyon, which is topped with a majestic dome. Restored by Jean Nouvel, this major attraction is the place to be for watching ballet and plays, as well as listen to the orchestra and choir.

How to get around within Lyon

Travellers going around Lyon will find a variety of public transport options. One can ride the tram express to reach different parts of the city. Shuttle buses are also available, making it convenient to go from one place to another. Those going on long-distance commutes can turn to the TGV which has a station at the airport. Shuttles going between the Alps and Lyon can also be boarded for those who want to visit the ski resorts and other establishments there.

Those going around the city can take the taxi, while those who prefer more freedom as they move around will do better with a car rental. Requirements before driving are to be followed, however, so travellers must bring the necessary documents with them.

How to get there

Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport is an accessible port of entry within France and other parts of Europe and Africa. Airlines going here include Aer Lingus, Aigle Azur, Air Algérie, Air Arabia Maroc, Air France, Airlinair, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, easyJet, Emirates, Flybe, Germanwings, HOP!, Iberia, Jetairfly, KLM, Lufthansa, Pegasus Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, SunExpress, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Portugal, Tunisair, Turkish Airlines, Vueling, and XL Airways France.