There is a train route from Switzerland to Lyon, leaving from Geneva and offering connections to other cities such as Lucerne. Driving can be faster and more convenient if your final destination is not in Geneva.
Can I fly from Lucerne to Lyon?
No. The closest airport is in Zurich, and from there there still aren't any direct flights to Lyon. After factoring in the train ride and the 2+hours needed at the airport, flying is more expensive, slower, and less convenient than the train or a private car service.
What is the easiest way to get from Lucerne to Lyon?
All public transit options between Lucerne and Lyon are non-direct and involve transferring vehicles at least once. This usually occurs in Geneva, Switzerland. The easiest option may therefore be to drive with a private car service, to have direct transportation between the cities.
How far is Lucerne from Lyon, France?
The distance between Lucerne Switzerland and Lyon France is about 257 miles (413 km), and the trip between these two cities takes on average just under 4.5 hours to drive with a Daytrip private car transfer.
What is the best way to get from Lucerne to Lyon, France?
The most convenient and efficient way to get from Lucerne to Lyon is to opt for a private car service. This grants you direct door-to-door service and means you can avoid all of the transfers involved in most of the common public transport routes. You will also have the option to stop along the way for sightseeing opportunities, and with Daytrip you will be guaranteed a friendly English-speaking driver that can provide local insight into the area.
Is Lyon worth visiting?
Lyon is a must-see for any world traveler, particularly for those interested in French cuisine, given the cityтАЩs reputation as the gastronomical capital of France. The city boasts a rich heritage and elaborate architecture, which has earned it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it the perfect sight to add to your list of French destinations.
A private car transfer from Lucerne to Lyon gets you door-to-door in just 4 hours and 20 minutes and offers you the chance to explore parts of France and Switzerland you may not otherwise get to experience. When you are done wandering around the enchanting, quaint medieval streets of Lucerne, you will make your way out of the snow-capped mountains toward Lyon, the vibrant gastronomical capital of France.
On the winding roads from Switzerland to France, you have the option to enrich your trip with sightseeing stops such as Bern, Switzerland's capital, or visit the impressively well-preserved Hallwyl Castle, staggering above its imposing moat. Your friendly English-speaking driver will be able to provide local insight into the cities and ensure your safe and stress-free transfer to Lyon, where you will be transported directly to your accommodation and help with your luggage.
About Lyon
Your Lucerne to Lyon transfer will deliver you to the third-largest city in France, known for its remarkable architecture and staple contributions to the nation's cuisine. Here, you can anticipate antiquity and modernity melding to create a city with unmatched shopping, historical touchstones, and food prepared by world-class chefs.
Lyon was founded by Romans, a beginning which is still evident today in sights such as the still-used amphitheater stages or the ruins in the Roman district. Later, the city found its Renaissance foothold in the production and weaving of silk, as well as in printing. The many monuments from its 2000-year history have earned Lyon recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lyon is also known as the birthplace of cinema as we know it today, thanks to the nineteenth-century residents Auguste and Louis Lumi├иre. The brothers created a combination camera and projector, called the cin├йmatographe (as in cinematography), the progenitor of the big screen. This rich history has allowed Lyon to remain a financial and cultural center of France and Europe as a whole, making it a must-see destination for any trip to France.
While the silk production and cinematographic history is still a draw for many visitors to Lyon, the cityтАЩs biggest appeal may just be its gastronomy. Traditional restaurants ("bouchons") serve up refined local dishes and wines from some of the most famous regions in France: the nearby Beaujolais and the C├┤tes du Rh├┤ne. Enjoy sampling traditionally prepared Lyonnaise specialties such as quenelle (a poached seafood or meat croquette), or fromage blanc (a soft, creamy cheese often combined with herbs and spices to create a flavorful spread).
From Lucerne to Lyon: travel tips
Your journey from Lucerne to Lyon covers a fairly significant distance and this travel day can be greatly enhanced with a few quick tips.
Choose a private car service
A private car service such as Daytrip gives you the fastest and smoothest trip possible between Lucerne and Lyon. With a private transfer, you have secure door-to-door transportation, saving you the annoying extra time and money spent on navigating public transport options.
You can transfer to Lyon directly and cover the distance in less than 4.5 hours, or use the time to round out your sightseeing in Switzerland before you cross the border.
### Enhance your trip with sightseeing
When you travel with Daytrip, you can communicate your preferences to your driver and curate an itinerary of sightseeing stops that prioritizes exactly what you want to see along the way. Use this time wisely and consider stops in fascinating places you may otherwise overlook, such as Lausanne, an idyllic town built against the banks of Lake Genova.
How to get from Lucerne to Lyon
There are several ways to traverse the distance from Lucerne to Lyon, including a train, bus, and flight route. Notably, the most straightforward way to handle the Lucerne to Lyon transfer is to drive, and all other methods will involve a transfer between vehicles en route. The options available are detailed in order of travelerтАЩs convenience.
### Private transfer from Lucerne to Lyon
A private car transfer between Lucerne and Lyon will take approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes, and prices with Daytrip start at $147 (тВм135) per person. This option is the simplest to organize since you'll ride door-to-door with a helpful English-speaking driver. It's also the most enriching, since you can talk with your driver about local culture, and stop for sightseeing along the way!
### Train from Lucerne to Lyon
The train route from Lucerne to Lyon takes about 5.5 hours and will require at least one transfer to a new train (typically in Geneva.) The ticket prices vary but are on average $125-233 (тВм115-215).
### Bus from Lucerne to Lyon
The bus route between Lucerne and Lyon is the cheapest option, with tickets starting at $18 (тВм16.50). However, this option also involves a more complicated travel route, requiring several transfers and can take up to 13.5 hours.
The fastest available route involves first taking the train to Geneva, and then taking a bus from Geneva Bus station to the Lyon - Perrache Bus station. From there, you can take either the M or C line buses to the center of town in Lyon.
### Flight from Lucerne to Lyon
Lucerne doesn't actually have an airport, so to fly to Lyon, you first have to get to Zurich Airport, about 30 miles away (49 km). From there, most flights involve a layover in cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, or Paris.
The fastest flight takes 3.5 hours (airport to airport, not counting the journey to and from either airport or the 2-hour pre-departure arrival time recommended in advance of a flight). Flights start at $160 (тВм147), though the route itself can cost closer to $483 (тВм444) after booking the other required modes of transport. Basically, itтАЩs slower, more hassle, and more expensive than taking a private car service.
Things to do when you get to Lyon
After your Lucerne to Lyon transfer, you will be welcomed into this elegant city with an exciting range of activities promising a refined taste of France.
Visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvi├иre
This basilica displays a mesmerizing blend of Byzantine, Gothic, and classical Romanesque architecture. The distinctive white exterior has become an iconic symbol of the city, and its four robust spires have earned the local nickname of тАЬthe upside-down elephant.тАЭ The majestic monument sits atop a hill (the name of which translates to тАЬthe hill which praysтАЭ) offering breathtaking city views to visitors.
### Tour the Mus├йe des Confluences
This anthropological museum only opened in 2014 but has quickly become a top attraction in Lyon. Housed in one of the city's most striking modern buildings, a speedboat of concrete, steel, and glass, the Mus├йe des Confluences displays natural science exhibits and explorations of LyonтАЩs history, the development of evolutionary theories, and theatrical connections.
### Stroll through the Parc de la T├кte d'Or
The largest urban park in France, this outdoor space offers outdoor recreation for the whole family. Walking trails galore and large open spaces for picnics are a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of Lyon. If youтАЩre visiting in the spring or summer, boating takes place on the lake and can make for a great family outing.
### Eat at a bouchons
Bouchons are restaurants serving traditional Lyonnaise food and are the best way to experience LyonтАЩs world-renowned cuisine. The regionтАЩs cuisine is heavily influenced by locally available ingredients, including regionally grown herbs, local cheeses, and fresh pork products from the nearby pig farms. You will also have a variety of regional wines to choose from to top off this warm, comforting traditional dining experience.
When is the best time to visit Lyon?
Many people visit Lyon in the bustling summer season, but the best time to visit the city is during the spring or autumn shoulder seasons. In April and May and September to November, the city experiences cooler weather and fewer crowds at the cityтАЩs main attractions, and accommodation and flights will also tend to be cheaper during this time.
Or, visit in the winter, when Lyon hosts one of EuropeтАЩs most famous Christmas festivals, the F├кte des Lumi├иres (Festival of Lights). This festival runs for 4 days in early December and sees the city decked out in dazzling light displays produced by local artists and businesses.
Well-preserved and completely surrounded by water, this is one of the finest moated castles in all of Switzerland.┬аFloating through Time┬а
Solothurn Cathedral
Built by architects Gaetano Matteo Pisoni and Paolo Antonio Pisoni in 1773, this neoclassical cathedral is a Swiss heritage site that shouldnтАЩt be missed.┬аStone Faced Beauty┬а
Bern
The Old Town of Switzerland's charming capital is a UNESCO World Heritage Site sheltering historic architecture and one of EuropeтАЩs longest covered shopping promenades.┬аThe Arcade Capital┬а
Lausanne
This picturesque ancient city on the shores of Lake Geneva has been the seat of the International Olympic Committee since 1914.┬аThe Olympic Capital┬а
Nyon Castle
This sturdy medieval castle houses a fragile treasure - the townтАЩs porcelain museum.┬аHandle with Care┬а
Geneva
The seat of hundreds of international organizations, SwitzerlandтАЩs non-capital offers cosmopolitan delights alongside thousands of years of history and a stunning natural backdrop. ┬аThe Capital of Peace┬а
