Public transportation in Lyon, France?

Question

I am a student at a University in the U.S. and I might move to Lyon for a semester for an intensive language study program.

What is the public transportation like in Lyon? Will I be able to get around without a car?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Answer 1

When I visited Lyon the big thing was rented bicycles. They're everywhere and you just put in a euro or so and take it wherever you need and leave it. But most people walk. Some will take the bus.

Hope that helped! Good luck with the study program

Answer 2

It's excellent. It is actually considered the best in France but if you are in Lyon proper you will probably not need to use it much, it is a very walkable city or as the person above suggested you can use the city bikes.

Here is the site and a map of the network. They have a subway, trams and buses...

http://www.tcl.fr/index.asp?page=plan_re...

http://www.tcl.fr/documents/pdf/premier_...

A car is more of an inconvenience in French cities than anything else. Public transportation is excellent and cities are not as spread out as they are in America so you can walk everywhere. The train system from city to city is excellent also so from Lyon you are only 2 hours from Paris, the Mediterranean beaches and the French Alps skiing resorts among other places that you can reach without a car.

Answer 3

Forget the car, driving is becoming a nightmare in the French cities (that's a deliberate policy) and petrol is twice the price you have in the US (you really have CHEAP petrol there). And I'm not talking about the parking problems!!! (roll eyes). Parking is expensive and parking places are so rare they have become an endangered species.

The first thing to do is check where the courses will take place (in Lyon or in the surrounding areas) and where you will live. Inside Lyon both?

Lyon has a very good bus system covering the whole city, and a well developed underground trains and tramway system. You buy a monthly card and can hop on and off whenever you want with just a swipe of your card.

As well, as stated above you can use the city bikes. There too the best way is to get a subscription. You then swipe your card and take a bike you will leave at the nearest bike park once you reach your goal.

In the surrounding areas? You still have the buses.

Far in the boondocks? You might want to think about getting a scooter. I still do not recommend a car, especially if you are on a budget. As well, no driving until you are 18 in France, and insurance policies are quite steep for new drivers.

http://www.studyabroad.iastate.edu/LYON/...

Answer 4

Hi!In Lyon U can take bus,taxi,walk ,bike...U can drive car if U have an international driver license.I hope U'll have a good time there.

i'm a french girl and I know transportation are generally good in France.

U can take the TGV or train to go in other city,and bus, bike or walk in the city of Lyon if U don't want to go in an other city!

Good luck,I think U'll have fun in France,Kiss

More information about lyon at http://www.lyon.fr

Sorry for the mistake,I improve my english!;-)