Car Hire Lyon Airport (LYS)

You’ll find our Avis counter at Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport located in the rental car park at the airport which is accessible by shuttle bus which departs every few minutes from the airport’s two terminal buildings.

Lyon International Airport (LYS) is the fourth largest airport in France and welcomes around 10m passengers a year.

First opened in 1975 by French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, it was renamed Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport after the famous French author and aviator Antoine Saint Exupéry on the centenary of his birth in the city of Lyon.

Today, the airport has a connection to the high-speed TGV railway and serves 125 destinations in 41 countries as well as domestic flights to 18 French destinations including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Bordeaux and Toulouse Airports.

The airport is located on the south eastern side of the city of Lyon in the town of  Colombier-Saugnieu with good road access via the A48 and A43 motorways.

If you have not driven in France or are arriving in Europe from a long-haul flight, we’d suggest checking the road rules for driving in France before you travel.

If you are travelling in Winter and driving to the montains, you may need winter tyres to be fitted to your car and our team at Avis at Lyon Airport will be able to advise you on the winter car equipment you need plus local conditions at your destination.

What are the age requirements for renting a car in Lyon?

The minimum age to rent a car in France is 18. Age restrictions also vary by vehicle and some selected car groups are not available to drivers under the age of 25.

There is currently no maximum age for hiring a rental car, so long as you have had a full, valid, license for at least 1 year. Some additional steps may be required for those who are over the age of 75 on the date of the scheduled return.

What documents do I need to hire a car in France?

To hire a car in Lyon, France, you just need to bring your:

• Driving licence
• The credit card used to make your booking (if it's a high value vehicle two payment cards must be provided, one of which needs to be a credit card),
• Proof of any discount (such as a frequent flyer or Avis Preferred  card),
• Photo ID for international rentals (such as a passport or driving licence) taken in the last 10 years.

Can I pick up my rental car in Lyon and return it to another location?

One-way car rental with Avis makes it easy to go from A to B without driving full circle. That means you can collect your Avis hire car from Lyon Airport and then return it to another Avis office whether that’s in France or even another country in Europe. Many of our Avis locations offer a 24-hour drop-off facility, which makes a one-way car hire hassle-free and very user-friendly. Simply check out our many available one-way journeys and start planning your route. When you are ready to book, just specify your destination in the booking panel and we will arrange it for you.

Is it worth hiring a car in Lyon?

The third largest city in France, Lyon has much to offer visitors with its metropolitan mix of history, culture and gastronomy. When you pick up your Avis hire car from Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport, you’re perfectly placed to explore all this city has to offer.

While the centre of Lyon is easy to walk around on foot – especially the narrow streets of the old town which are pedestrianised – and the city has a good public transport network, you’ll want to hire a car to travel further afield. Renting a car at Lyon Airport gives you the freedom of independent travel as well as the opportunity to plan a dream French road trip.

The Avis team at Lyon Airport are experts on Lyon and the surrounding Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and can offer advice on the best routes to take and make your trip a smooth one from the moment you touch down.

What is parking like in Lyon?

Parking in Lyon is plentiful with around 50 public and private car parks as well as on-street options available.

 You can find out more about the zones and parking options from the city council.

From the Avis car park at Lyon Airport to the centre of Lyon is a drive of 35km which will take around 40min depending on the time of day. Head west from the airport and drive along the A48, A43 and then the N346 towards Lyon following signs to the centre of the city.

Lyon’s top attractions include the Cathédrale St-Jean, an impressive Romanesque structure, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts – a gallery featuring an incredible collection of sculptures and paintings. Be sure to visit the central square, Place des Terreaux, where the 19th century Fontaine Bartholdi is the centrepiece.

Culture lovers should spend an evening at the Opéra de Lyon, a neoclassical building erected in 1831. Lyon is famous for its incredible cuisine and there’s a huge array of restaurants and cafes scattered across the city. To sample some of the local delights, head to one of the legendary bouchons, small eateries serving up traditional local fare.

Arriving at Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport gives you easy access to the city of Lyon, but also a wealth of fascinating destinations beyond its borders. Drive less than two hours from Lyon and you’ll discover a fascinating mix of unforgettable cities.

Geneva

If you fancy crossing borders on a day trip, Lyon is within easy reach of Switzerland. With an Avis car hired at the airport, it’s just a 90-minute drive from Lyon to cosmopolitan Geneva. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum is a must-see – a humbling attraction that showcases humanitarian efforts around the world. If you’re visiting during winter, make the most of the ice rink in the centre.

Grenoble

Just over an hour from Lyon (via the A43 and A48) is the city of Grenoble – perfectly positioned below the French Alps. Take a cable car up Bastille Hill to survey the city or head to Musée de Grenoble, where an incredible selection of 20th century art from Miro to Magritte is exhibited.