Car Rental in Lyon

✓ No Hidden Costs ✓ 24/7 Support ✓ Free Cancellation

Pick-up location

Lyon, France

Return car in same location

Pick-up date

Drop-off date

Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65

700+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Lyon St Exupéry Airport

Economy

Fiat 500 or similar

4
1
3
A/C
Man.

per day

Lyon St Exupéry Airport

Compact

Renault Megane or similar

5
2
5
A/C
Auto.

per day

Lyon St Exupéry Airport

Mini

Renault Twingo or similar

4
1
3
A/C
Man.

per day

Downtown

Intermediate

Peugeot 508 or similar

5
3
4
A/C
Man.

per day

Travel Information

Languages

French

Currency

EUR

Drive on

Right-hand side

Country code

+33

Average car rental price

$39 per day

Average car rental length

6 days

Speed limit within town

50 km/h or 31 mph

Speed limit out of town

80 - 130 km/h or 50 - 81 mph

Acceptable limit of BAC

0.05%

Rating

8.9 / 10

Average gas price

$1.89 per liter or $7.14 per gallon

Lowest gas price

$1.79 per liter or $6.78 per gallon

Highest gas price

$2.09 per liter or $7.90 per gallon

Why rent a car in Lyon?

Lyon is a fascinating city to explore. Full of interesting historic buildings and sites, and not just in its downtown, it is considered very picturesque even for France. Its convenient central location also means that from it you can go on to explore the Alps in the east, the French Riviera in the south, or Paris in the north.

One-Way Car Rentals in Lyon

The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Lyon and drop off in another city include:

From Lyon to Paris - 176 offers from $36.49 per day
From Lyon to Munich - 66 offers from $90.67 per day
From Lyon to Chambery - 67 offers from $31.26 per day
From Lyon to Milan - 18 offers from $389.99 per day
From Lyon to Marseille - 87 offers from $36.49 per day

Top ways to enter Lyon

Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport: Also known as Lyon-Satolas, the airport hosts flights to and from many destinations in Europe as well as North Africa and Asia. It served more than 12 million travelers in 2022. Lyon Airport is located about 20km (13 miles) southeast of downtown Lyon.
Grenoble Alpes–Isère Airport: Serving the French city of the same name and the region surrounding it, Grenoble Airport is an important hub for those trying to reach the French Alps. The airport is located 81km (50 miles) southeast of Lyon, a distance that can be driven in 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport: Another small airport in south-central France, it hosts a number of domestic flights and also provides air connections to the Netherlands, Portugal, and Morocco. Clermont-Ferrand Airport is 166 km (103 mi) west of Lyon and can be reached in about two hours.
Geneva Airport. Serving the largest French-speaking city of Switzerland, Geneva Airport is just a two-hour drive northeast of Lyon. The airport handles close to 15 million travelers a year and provides connections with locations all across Europe and beyond.
Montpellier–Méditerranée Airport: The 10th-busiest airport in France serves one of the fastest-growing coastal cities in the country. Served by 13 different airlines, it handles more than 10 million travelers every year. Montpellier Airport is about a three-hour drive south of Lyon.
By rail: If you’re arriving in Lyon by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at the Lyon-Part-Dieu Railway Station or Lyon-Perrache Railway Station.

City facts

Lyon has a semi-continental climate with oceanic influences. Thanks to the moderating influence of the nearby mountains, its summers are warm, but tolerable, with an average high temperature of 27°C (86 °F) in July, the hottest month. Its winters range from cool to mild, with an average temperature of 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) in January. The precipitation is even year-round, with winters months being only slightly more dry than summer.
Lyon is famous for its delectable food, so much so that the 20th-century culinary guru Curnonsky labeled it “the Gastronomical Capital of the World”. Try to visit a local Bouchon restaurant where you are certain to be offered such delicacies as coq au vin (chicken with wine, lardons, and mushrooms), quenelle (creamed fish, or sometimes meat, with egg binding), and rosette de Lyon (cured French sausage). If you crave something more simple and fast, try the famous Lyon Tacos that were invented in the city less than 20 years ago and remain a top choice of street food among locals.

Top sights and activities

St. Jean Cathedral. The foundations for this church were laid in the 12th Century, but it has been constantly improved and renovated over the years resulting in an eclectic mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles. With its many chapels and impressive astronomical tower, it is one of the symbols of Lyon. Combine a visit here with seeing the nearby St. Jean Archaeological Garden which has buildings dating back to the 4th Century A.D.
Institut Lumière. A unique museum, it celebrates the life and work of Auguste and Louis Lumière, the pioneering French filmmakers who are often called the fathers of cinema. With many items from the very first films ever made, coming here feels like a wonderful trip back in time. That the museum is housed in a beautiful building that still belongs to the Lumière family and was opened by the grandson of Louis only adds to the authenticity of the experience.
Parc de la Tête d'Or. Large and picturesque, this unique park is considered by many to overshadow the famous gardens of Paris. It is a perfect place to spend a day outdoors or have a picnic. There are also various attractions inside the gardens, including the botanical garden, the greenhouses where exotic non-native plants grow, and the “Africa plain” area where you’ll see plenty of wild animals.
Roman theaters. Lyon was founded as Lugdunum during the rule of Ancient Rome, and this heritage is best exemplified by the two classical theaters that have survived to this day. Remaining in surprisingly good shape, the theaters continue to host plenty of events and festivals during the summer months. They can be found in the neighborhood of Fourvière, the most elevated part of the city, and are near the Gallo-Roman Museum and the Museum of Religious Art.
Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon. One of the largest museums in France, and one of the most famous outside of Paris, the Musée des Beaux-Arts is a must-visit place for any art lover visiting Lyon. Located in a former convent and more than 200 years old, the museum showcases works by such world-famous creators as Rubens, Gauguin, Cezanne, Picasso, Bacon, and many more. Visit its English-language homepage to learn more about collections and admission.
This is just a small sample, be sure to read more about the best things to do in Lyon to find more to do when you're there.

Traffic and parking

The speed limit in cities is 50km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30km/h. Unlike that of inter-city roads, the urban speed limit is unaffected by the weather.
Outside cities and as of May 2019, the speed limit depends on the type of the road. Highways are limited to 130km/h, 4-lane expressways to 110km/h, and 2- or 3- lane roads to 80 or 90km/h. When it is raining, the limits are respectively lowered to 110km/h, 100 km/h, and 80km/h. The general speed limit is lowered to 50km/h during periods of heavy fog or other times when visibility is impaired.
Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
If you are driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
As of 2019, hands-free mobile phone use is banned in France and the fines are hefty.
The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

Most of the main highways in France (autoroute in French) are toll roads. Their names start with a letter A and you can recognize them by their red number sign. The fee for taking a toll road depends on the specific route, distance traveled, as well as the type of vehicle - trailer cars and caravans have to pay more than regular cars. You can pay by credit card or in cash. You’ll be given a ticket that you have to keep while on the toll road.

Some rental cars are equipped with toll road transponders that can be used at the automatic toll road payment booths (Télépéage). Ask your rental car provider to find out if they offer cars with toll road transponders.

Ideas for day trips

Beaujolais. If you’re traveling with a friend, a partner, or someone else you can share the driving duties with, you simply have to visit the famous Beaujolais wine region. There are many outstanding wine-tasting tours you can take. In the many picturesque villages of local domains, you can also learn about the history of winemaking, different technologies used, and wine’s importance for the local economy. The Beaujolais region is just a short drive north of Lyon.
Grenoble. The largest metropolis in all of the Alps, Grenoble is deservedly one of the most popular travel destinations in eastern France. A fine, diverse city in its own right, it is also known for the stunning scenery that surrounds it and for being a gateway to awesome hiking and winter sports. The drive from Lyon takes only about 90 minutes.
Annecy. Located in the foothills of the French Alps and sitting on the northern coast of the lake of the same name, Annecy is one of the most picturesque small towns in Europe. Often labeled the Venice of Savoie for its system of small streams of turquoise blue water, it is also famous for its old churches and many different city festivals that take place here nearly once a month. Annecy is about 146km (91 miles) east of Lyon, a distance that can be traveled by car in less than two hours.
Chamonix. The Winter Olympics were held here in 1924, and Chamonix still remains the winter sports capital of France and, perhaps, Europe. With even the town’s lowest parts at least 1,000m (3,250ft) above sea level, it is located deep inside the French Alps. There are plenty of opportunities for skiing and snowboarding, as well as glaciers, hiking trails, and panoramic viewpoints to explore. The most ambitious of travelers will be happy to find out that Mont Blanc, the highest summit of the EU, is also within reach. Near the border with Switzerland and Italy, Chamonix is about a 2 hour and 30-minute drive east of Lyon.
Saint-Etienne. Sometimes seen as a rival of Lyon, especially when it comes to football, Saint-Etienne is best known for its former industrial prowess, but can actually be a very classy place to visit. The city is characterized by several large squares, many heritage buildings, and interesting cultural institutions (some of them dedicated to a rather recent history like the Museum of the Mine and the Urban Transportation Museum). Located just an hour’s drive southwest of Lyon, Saint-Etienne is definitely worth a visit.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental cars in Lyon are the Citroen C3, the Opel Corsa, and the Ford Focus. The most popular rental car types are economy, compact, and intermediate.

Further destinations

Avignon. With an impressive medieval architecture; ancient, fortified town center; and having played a crucial role in France’s religious and revolutionary history, Avignon is a unique place to visit. History buffs will love the many buildings and museums related to the city’s Papal past, while anyone else will appreciate the special atmosphere of the narrow, labyrinthine streets snaking among the steep gothic buildings. Avignon is slightly less than a three-hour drive south of Lyon.
The French Riviera. As picturesque as it is glamorous, the French Mediterranean Coast is one of France’s top tourist destinations. Places like Cannes, Saint-Tropez, and the tiny principality of Monaco are known for their stunning beaches and lavish lifestyle, but just as much joy can be found in the region’s fish markets, sleepy little villages, and impressive coastal cliffs. Nice, the Riviera’s largest city, is 472km (293 miles) southeast of Lyon and can be reached in less than five hours.
Geneva. Switzerland’s largest French-speaking city is known as a global diplomatic and financial center, but it is also a fine travel destination. Its picturesque city center, architecture and many museums can be explored for days. And if you ever feel like escaping the city, the shore of Lake Geneva and the nearby Alps offer the perfect getaway. About 150km (93 miles) east of Lyon, Geneva can be reached in only two hours. Keep in mind that you’d be crossing a national border, though, so first, make sure your rental car provider permits it.
Vanoise National Park. Celebrating its 60th birthday in 2023, Vanoise is the oldest national park in France — and more importantly, it’s also one of the most impressive ones. Characterized by snowy Alpine peaks, the highest of which reaches 3,885 m (12,745 feet), it is near a number of winter sports bases, but also is home to wildlife such as mountain hares, chamois, and bearded vultures. If your car rental supplier permits crossing into Italy, you can also visit the Gran Paradiso National Park that’s just on the other side of the border.
Clermont-Ferrand. This underrated city in the region of Auvergne is a fantastic place to explore. Visit the beautiful black volcanic-stone cathedral, stroll in Jardin Lecoq, see the main square Place de Jaude, enjoy gorgeous hikes in the surrounding countryside, and discover the fascinating dormant volcano Puy de Dome nearby. Clermont-Ferrand is 168 km (104 mi) from Lyon, which is only about a two-hour drive.

Car rental prices in Lyon

Convertibles - from $60 per day
Station wagons - from $20 per day
Large cars - from $27 per day
Medium cars - from $20 per day
Vans - from $32 per day
Premium cars - from $45 per day
Small cars - from $17 per day
SUVs - from $29 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Follow these tips to get a good car rental deal in Lyon:

Compare the rates of different rental car providers
Book your rental car well in advance
Plan your route before you go
Know your fuel and mileage requirements
Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Lyon is the cheapest in September when renting a car is about 23% cheaper than the yearly average and an entire 50% cheaper than visiting in March. Come enjoy the end of summer in Lyon!

This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.

Fact checked by

Megan Starr & Aram Vardanyan

Megan & Aram is a travel blog run by two friends that have been helping people travel the world since 2010. They have visited well over 100 countries together and share a special passion for lesser-known destinations, as well as the Nordics. Megan is currently based in Germany and Aram is based in Armenia. They run 4 destination-specific websites in addition to Megan & Aram.

Top 20 cities near Lyon

Chambery from $35.67 per day

67.4 km / 41.9 miles away
Grenoble from $31.78 per day

77.2 km / 48 miles away
Annecy from $28.71 per day

82.9 km / 51.5 miles away
Ferney-Voltaire from $23.02 per day

97.7 km / 60.7 miles away
Moûtiers from $31.78 per day

115.9 km / 72 miles away
Beaune from $26.15 per day

145.4 km / 90.3 miles away
Clermont-Ferrand from $23.22 per day

152.6 km / 94.8 miles away
Dijon from $21.66 per day

177.7 km / 110.4 miles away
Avignon from $18.78 per day

202 km / 125.5 miles away
Nimes from $21.66 per day

217.9 km / 135.4 miles away
Arles from $23.52 per day

229.5 km / 142.6 miles away
Aix-en-Provence from $17.45 per day

253.1 km / 157.3 miles away
Montpellier from $17.85 per day

254.1 km / 157.9 miles away
Marseille from $13.06 per day

254.7 km / 158.3 miles away
Mulhouse from $16.75 per day

279.1 km / 173.4 miles away
Brive from $28.51 per day

284.5 km / 176.8 miles away
Nice from $9.35 per day

284.5 km / 176.8 miles away
Cannes from $17.60 per day

286 km / 177.7 miles away
Epinal from $49.81 per day

291.6 km / 181.2 miles away
Troyes from $36.56 per day

296 km / 183.9 miles away

Top 20 locations near Lyon

Lyon St Exupéry Airport from $16.65 per day
Grenoble Alpes–Isère Airport

44.8 km / 27.8 miles away
Grenoble Train Station from $31.78 per day

77.2 km / 48 miles away
Annecy Train Station from $40.36 per day

82.9 km / 51.5 miles away
Geneva Airport French sector from $23.02 per day

97.7 km / 60.7 miles away
Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains Train Station from $31.78 per day

115.9 km / 72 miles away
Chamonix Downtown from $51.49 per day

140.3 km / 87.2 miles away
Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport from $31.78 per day

149 km / 92.6 miles away
Dijon Train Station from $21.66 per day

177.7 km / 110.4 miles away
Avignon Train Station from $18.78 per day

202 km / 125.5 miles away
Nimes Airport from $46.78 per day

225 km / 139.8 miles away
Aix-en-Provence Train Station from $17.45 per day

253.1 km / 157.3 miles away
Montpellier Sud de France from $29.42 per day

253.9 km / 157.8 miles away
Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport from $17.85 per day

254.1 km / 157.9 miles away
Marseille Airport from $13.06 per day

254.7 km / 158.3 miles away
Marseille-Saint-Charles Train Station from $22.53 per day

270.5 km / 168.1 miles away
Mulhouse Airport from $16.75 per day

279.1 km / 173.4 miles away
Cannes - Mandelieu Airport from $17.60 per day

284.4 km / 176.7 miles away
Nice Airport from $9.35 per day

284.5 km / 176.8 miles away
Brive Airport from $45.07 per day

290.5 km / 180.5 miles away

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Lyon?

Car rental prices in Lyon vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.

Average rental costs per day in Lyon

$38.94

January

$48.86

February

$50.89

March

$44.13

April

$48.38

May

$51.07

June

$59.40

July

$55.67

August

$53.79

September

$46.13

October

$45.20

November

$47.33

December

The cheapest month to rent a car in Lyon is January (when prices average $38.94 per day). This is 21% cheaper than the yearly average and 34% cheaper than renting in July (when prices average $59.40).

This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.

What’s the usual rental length in Lyon?

How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in July, the average renter keeps their car for 8 days, and in November, they keep their car for 5 days.

Average number of rental days in Lyon

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

What's the most popular month to rent a car in Lyon?

Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Lyon is January, and the least popular is November.

Monthly searches in Lyon by pick-up date relative to the average

128%

January

113%

February

116%

March

80%

April

99%

May

117%

June

99%

July

86%

August

100%

September

76%

October

73%

November

114%

December

Car rental information

Car rental locations	13
Airport locations	1
Popular suppliers	Alamo, Ok Mobility, RentScape, Keddy, Budget
Popular car categories	Small cars, Medium cars, SUVs, Vans
Lowest price	$17 per day
Cheapest supplier	RentScape

Most popular car models of rental suppliers

Rental Supplier	Model	Doors	Luggage	Type
RentScape	Peugeot 208	5	1	Small cars
Ok Mobility	Seat Ibiza	5	1	Small cars
Alamo	Peugeot 208	4	2	Small cars
RentScape	Peugeot 2008	5	2	Medium cars
Enterprise	Renault Kangoo	4	8	Medium cars
Ok Mobility	Peugeot 108	5	1	Small cars
Budget	Renault Clio	5	2	Small cars
Ok Mobility	Peugeot 2008	5	2	SUVs
RentScape	Fiat 500	3	1	Small cars
Budget	Toyota Aygo	3	1	Small cars

Our customers' reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic.

Australia

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé

9/29/24

Drove through the country side and discovered amazing places that a tour or bus wouldn’t go. Love everything about the freedom of a car.

Hungary

Seat Ibiza

9/15/24

Great round trip in southern France.

Albania

Volkswagen Golf

8/29/24

I solved my needs in Dijon, France.

United Kingdom

Renault Twingo

7/11/24

We visited a remote mountain town that wouldn't have been accessible without the hire car!

United States of America (USA)

Audi A1

11/6/23

We drove to Voiron and Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse and back as a day trip to explore all we could about Chartreuse the region, the people, and, most importantly, the liquor.

Portugal

Peugeot 208

9/9/23

Photo 3 by Renata C. about renting a Peugeot 208 in Lyon (9/9/23)

Photo 4 by Renata C. about renting a Peugeot 208 in Lyon (9/9/23)

Photo 5 by Renata C. about renting a Peugeot 208 in Lyon (9/9/23)

Romania

Toyota Yaris

3/27/23

Skiing

United Kingdom

Renault Clio

2/19/23

Skiing

Turkey

Hyundai Kona

2/16/23

The Alps were amazing but the charging stations disappointed us as some of them were old technology and some of them were out of service. Also the effective range is %50 of the one written on the paper especially if it’s cold weather, so we had to AC(slow) charge on our way to Briançon. Other than that we are given seres 3 instead of Hyundai Kona electric that we had expected which is a bummer. Hyundai is a much smarter car and maybe could tell us about the charging stations and battery management more than the seres did.

Norway

Peugeot 308

3/11/22

We was on a ski vacation and went to Meribel. It took only 2 hr by car (167 km). 7 days with blue sky and sun.

Israel

Peugeot 508

2/11/22

For the tourists going to Alps in winter: you will definitely need snow chains or "snow socks" (even 2 pairs).

France

Fiat 500X

2/5/22

Next time!

France

Ford Fiesta

6/13/19

Lyon is great although driving can be tricky in the busy city with a lot of one way streets. a GPS is definitely necessary. However driving between cities in France is so easy with good quality roads and highways.