Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport
Colombier-Saugnieu, Rhône, France
Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport
Rhône-Alpes' gateway, connecting Lyon to the world.
- ›The airport's TGV station was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and opened in 1994.
- ›Named after Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the Lyon-born author of 'The Little Prince' and pioneering aviator.
- ›It is the second-busiest airport in France after Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly.
- ›The airport handled over 12 million passengers annually before the COVID-19 pandemic.
- ›Rhônexpress, a dedicated tram-train link, connects the airport to central Lyon in around 30 minutes.
Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport, named after aviator and author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry who was born in Lyon, serves as the principal international gateway to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Opened in 1975 and located roughly 25 kilometres east of Lyon city centre in Colombier-Saugnieu, it handles over 12 million passengers annually and connects the region to major European and intercontinental destinations. Its distinctive terminal architecture, designed by Santiago Calatrava, makes it one of France's most visually striking airports.
- Terminal 1 — Handles the majority of scheduled international and domestic flights, featuring Calatrava's iconic vaulted steel-and-glass hall.
- Terminal 2 — Dedicated primarily to low-cost carriers including easyJet and Vueling, with a more compact layout and direct apron boarding.
- Terminal 3 — Serves general aviation, private jets, and charter operations, located separately from the main terminal complex.
- Rhônexpress tram-express to Lyon Part-Dieu station in approximately 29 minutes
- Local Transdev bus routes connecting to nearby towns and Lyon suburbs
- Taxis and ride-hailing services (Uber, Bolt) available outside arrivals
- Car rental desks from Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Budget, and Sixt in the terminal
- Private shuttle services to ski resorts in the French Alps
- Hilton Lyon Airport
- Marriott Lyon Airport
- Ibis Styles Lyon Airport
- Okko Hotels Lyon Pont de la Guillotière (city centre option)
- Novotel Lyon Airport
Inside the terminals, travellers can find brasserie-style cafés, a Paul bakery, and several quick-service outlets offering French staples such as croissants, quiches, and croque-monsieurs alongside international fast food. Airside options in Terminal 1 include sit-down restaurants with regional Lyonnaise influences, reflecting the city's reputation as France's gastronomic capital. For more substantial dining, the nearby town of Genas and Lyon's celebrated bouchon restaurants are accessible within 20–30 minutes by road.
- Book Rhônexpress tickets online in advance for a small discount versus buying at the station kiosk.
- Allow extra time during ski season (December–April) when the airport handles heavy charter traffic to Alpine resorts.
- Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are connected airside but require a short walk; confirm your terminal before arriving.
- Lyon's city centre restaurants often close between lunch and dinner service — plan meal times accordingly if arriving midday.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
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Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport — formerly known as Lyon Satolas Airport — is an international airport serving Lyon, France, as well as the entire Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It is located in Colombier-Saugnieu, approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of Lyon city centre. The airport is 30 minutes from the Lyon-Part-Dieu business district by the Rhônexpress tram.
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