Lyon, France · Europe
Strong regional hub with a rare on-airport TGV station and a fast Rhônexpress to Part-Dieu, tempered by Terminal 2 closure crowding everything into T1, classic 100 ml security, and Priority Pass that only credits a restaurant.
Editorial 0–10 from comfort, navigation, food, transport, and disruption resilience — not a Google rating.
Passenger airports within about 150 km.
Live airport status
Most important tips
A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.
Rhônexpress ~29 min / €16 online; TCL T3+47 ~€3.70 if you have time.
Rhônexpress runs Part-Dieu Villette ↔ Lyon–Saint-Exupéry TGV station in about 29 minutes (every 15 min daytime; every 30 min ~04:25–06:00 and 21:00–00:00). Online adult one-way €16 / return €28; machines €17.10 / €29.80; ages 12–25 €10.50 / €19.90; under-12 free. With a same-day TGV ticket calling at Lyon St-Exupéry, the “train connection” Rhônexpress fare is €10.50 one-way. Cheaper but slower: TCL tram T3 to Meyzieu ZI, then bus 47 to Aéroport Saint-Exupéry — needs a TCL “toutes zones” (incl. zone externe) ticket at €3.70 (May 2026 tariff guide). Official taxi estimates: Part-Dieu ~€67 day / ~€90 night (19:00–07:00 + Sundays / holidays).
Free ZenLine slots help; assume classic liquid rules on the day.
Airport guidance: arrive 2–2.5 h early for France/Europe, ~3 h for outside Europe. Book a free ZenLine security slot for Terminal 1, or buy Coupe-File priority from €8.90. CT/EDS trials exist on some lanes, but Lyon has not published a cabin-liquids waiver — pack ≤100 ml containers in one transparent 1 L bag and expect electronics out unless a lane signage says otherwise. Non-Schengen passport control is upstairs toward gates C/D; PARAFE e-gates speed eligible EU/EEA/CH/UK biometrics when open.
Paid airport lounges by Schengen/non-Schengen; PP is Alpage only.
Both airport lounges sit airside in Terminal 1 around Place des Lumières. Salon Confluence (Schengen; near gate B05, level 0) typically opens from ~04:15–04:30 and closes between ~19:00 and 21:00 depending on weekday. Salon Mont Blanc (non-Schengen; gate C level 1, after border police) opens ~08:30 and closes ~19:30–21:45. Online adult entry from €33.90 / child 2–12 €14.90 (under-2 free; tickets valid 12 months); pack with Coupe-File €37.90. Food, soft drinks, alcohol, unlimited Wi-Fi; showers temporarily unavailable (airport store). Priority Pass / Mastercard Lounge Key at LYS is Alpage restaurant (food court, 05:00–21:00) — €23 bill credit per visit, not lounge entry.
Free fountains on Place des Lumières; buy sealed bottles landside.
Official customer-care FAQ: drinking fountains are available in Terminals 1 and 2 areas and on Place des Lumières; toilet tap water is also potable. With T2 closed, plan refills around Place des Lumières / T1 airside. For sealed bottles, buy landside before screening or airside at cafés such as Starbucks, Confluences Café, or Délices de Lyon. Alpage (Priority Pass credit) sits in the T1 food court with tarmac/Alps views.
Alpine-inspired gastronomic bar / restaurant in the Terminal 1 airside food court — not a lounge. Priority Pass and affiliated programmes give €23 off a single meal/drinks bill per registered person (boarding pass required; remaining balance paid by guest). Seating can fill; access is at the restaurant’s discretion. Open 05:00–21:00.
Full access guide
Airport-operated non-Schengen lounge upstairs at boarding gate C (Place des Lumières), after Police aux Frontières. Same paid-entry catalogue as Confluence; your ticket only admits the lounge that matches your destination. Opens later than Confluence (~08:30) — early non-Schengen departures may miss it. Showers temporarily unavailable.
Full access guide
Airport-operated Schengen lounge on Place des Lumières (level 0, near gate B05) after security. Hot/cold catering, alcoholic and soft drinks, unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi. Ticket is non-nominative and valid 12 months from online purchase. Showers temporarily unavailable. Does not accept Priority Pass — PP holders use Alpage restaurant credit instead.
Full access guide
Live airport status
Alpine-inspired gastronomic bar / restaurant in the Terminal 1 airside food court — not a lounge. Priority Pass and affiliated programmes give €23 off a single meal/drinks bill per registered person (boarding pass required; remaining balance paid by guest). Seating can fill; access is at the restaurant’s discretion. Open 05:00–21:00.
Full access guide
Airport-operated non-Schengen lounge upstairs at boarding gate C (Place des Lumières), after Police aux Frontières. Same paid-entry catalogue as Confluence; your ticket only admits the lounge that matches your destination. Opens later than Confluence (~08:30) — early non-Schengen departures may miss it. Showers temporarily unavailable.
Full access guide
Airport-operated Schengen lounge on Place des Lumières (level 0, near gate B05) after security. Hot/cold catering, alcoholic and soft drinks, unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi. Ticket is non-nominative and valid 12 months from online purchase. Showers temporarily unavailable. Does not accept Priority Pass — PP holders use Alpage restaurant credit instead.
Full access guide
Current security wait information is not available for this airport. Check the airport's official website or app before travel.
No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.
Source: Flighty Airports
Status response Sep 6, 11:16 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.