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Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport

Colombier-Saugnieu, Rhône, France
Explore Colombier-Saugnieu, Rhône city guide Navigate to this airport
135
Routes out
77
Destinations
LFLL
ICAO
821 ft
Elevation
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Rhône-Alpes' gateway, connecting Lyon to the world.

Opened
1975
Location
Colombier-Saugnieu, France
Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport is the main international airport serving Lyon, France's third-largest city, and the broader Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Located in Colombier-Saugnieu, approximately 25 kilometres east of Lyon city centre, it is one of France's busiest airports outside Paris. The airport is named after Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the celebrated French writer and aviator best known for 'The Little Prince,' who was born in Lyon. It handles a wide mix of short-haul European routes and a selection of long-haul services, serving both leisure and business travellers. A significant distinguishing feature is its direct integration with the French high-speed rail network via the TGV station located beneath the terminal, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. This multimodal hub connects Lyon to Paris and other major French and European cities by rail.
Terminals
The airport operates with a single main terminal complex divided into two halls, serving both Schengen and non-Schengen destinations.
Getting to & from
The airport is connected to Lyon city centre by the Rhônexpress tramway, which runs directly to Lyon Part-Dieu station in approximately 30 minutes, and also has a dedicated TGV high-speed rail station beneath the terminal.
Airlines here
Major airlines operating at Lyon Saint-Exupéry include Air France, easyJet, Transavia, Vueling, Ryanair, and several long-haul carriers including Air Canada and Royal Air Maroc.
Notable facts
  • ›The airport's TGV station was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and opened in 1994.
  • ›Named after Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the Lyon-born author of 'The Little Prince' and pioneering aviator.
  • ›It is the second-busiest airport in France after Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly.
  • ›The airport handled over 12 million passengers annually before the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • ›Rhônexpress, a dedicated tram-train link, connects the airport to central Lyon in around 30 minutes.
Official website Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Route map (75 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Routes

LYS → CMN3O · 320
LYS → DUS4U · CRJ
LYS → CFEA5 · ER4
LYS → GOTA5 · ER4
LYS → MPLA5 · AT5
LYS → PISA5 · AT5
LYS → PRGA5 · E90 CRK
LYS → RNSA5 · CRK CR7
LYS → ATHA3 · 320
LYS → BESA5 · CR7 CRK ER4
LYS → BODA5 · E90 E70
LYS → BRUA5 · ER4
LYS → FLRA5 · AT5
LYS → MLHA5 · AT5
LYS → MRSA5 · AT5 CRJ
LYS → SXBA5 · CR7 CRK
LYS → VCEA5 · ER4 CRK
LYS → BIQA5 · CR7 ER4
LYS → FCOA5 · CRK
LYS → LILA5 · CRJ ER4
LYS → PUFA5 · AT7 ER4 CRJ CR7
LYS → BLQA5 · ER4 AT5
LYS → CFRA5 · CR7
LYS → ETZA5 · ER4 AT7 CRJ
LYS → MXPA5 · CRJ ER4
LYS → NTEA5 · CRK E70 ER4
LYS → LHRAA · 319
LYS → BHXAF · E75
LYS → CDGAF · 320 319 318
LYS → FLRAF · AT5
LYS → NCEAF · 320 319
LYS → PISAF · AT5
LYS → PRGAF · E90 CRK
LYS → AJAAF · 320
LYS → AMSAF · F70
LYS → BIAAF · 320
LYS → BRUAF · ER4
LYS → FCOAF · CRK
LYS → GOTAF · ER4
LYS → TLSAF · 319 320 CRK
LYS → BLQAF · ER4 AT5
LYS → MLAAF · 320
LYS → MXPAF · CRJ ER4
LYS → ORYAF · CRK
LYS → VCEAF · ER4 CRK
LYS → VIEAF · DH4 F70
LYS → BJAAH · 738
LYS → QSFAH · 738
LYS → TLMAH · 736
LYS → CTAAP · 320
LYS → ALGAH · 736 738
LYS → ORNAH · 736
LYS → AJAAZ · 320
LYS → CTAAZ · 320
LYS → TLSAZ · 319 320 CRK
LYS → RAKAT · 738
LYS → AAEAH · 738
LYS → BSKAH · 738
LYS → BLJAH · 738
LYS → CZLAH · 738
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City & Place Guide

Gateway village beside Lyon's international airport and peaceful countryside.

Colombier-Saugnieu is a small commune in the Ain plain east of Lyon, best known as the home of Lyon-Saint Exupéry International Airport. Despite its functional reputation, the village retains a quiet rural character with farmland, modest stone architecture, and proximity to the natural area around the Côtière ridge.

The town is a practical base for travelers transiting through the Lyon region, offering hotels and services catering to airport visitors. Beyond the terminal, the surrounding Rhône countryside rewards those who venture out with vineyards, cycling paths, and glimpses of traditional Bresse and Dauphiné culture.

For most visitors, Colombier-Saugnieu is a brief stop rather than a destination, but its location makes it an easy launching point for day trips to Lyon, the medieval town of Pérouges, and the Beaujolais wine region.

  • •Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport Terminal — striking Santiago Calatrava–designed architecture worth admiring.
  • •Pérouges (nearby) — a remarkably preserved medieval walled village just 20 km north.
  • •Côtière de l'Ain — scenic limestone escarpment ideal for walking and panoramic views.
  • •Bresse countryside — rolling farmland famous for AOC Bresse poultry heritage.
  • •Local cycling routes — flat to gently rolling lanes through vineyards and villages.
  • •Villette-d'Anthon lake — nearby recreational lake good for waterside walks and picnics.

Getting around: The Rhônexpress tram-train connects Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport directly to Lyon Part-Dieu station in about 30 minutes and is the easiest option for reaching the city center. Local buses are limited, making a rental car the best choice for exploring surrounding villages and countryside. Taxis and rideshare apps such as Uber operate from the airport forecourt around the clock.

Best time: Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–October) offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and beautiful countryside colors.

Local food: Try Bresse chicken (poulet de Bresse AOP) roasted or in cream sauce at nearby brasseries, and look for bugnes (fried dough pastries) as a regional Lyon-area sweet treat.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via LYS? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for France from official government sources.

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Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport
Encyclopaedia

Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport — formerly known as Lyon Satolas Airport — is an international airport serving Lyon, France, as well as the entire Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It is located in Colombier-Saugnieu, approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of Lyon city centre. The airport is 30 minutes from the Lyon-Part-Dieu business district by the Rhônexpress tram.

Read full article on Wikipedia

Latest news

Aviation Week· 9/10/2026
Airport In Focus: Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport
Read at Aviation Week
Future Travel Experience· 10/18/2026
VINCI Airports launches modernisation and expansion of Terminal 2 at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport
Read at Future Travel Experience
Airport Suppliers· 10/19/2026
VINCI Airports launches the transformation of Terminal 2 at Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport
Read at Airport Suppliers
International Airport Review· 10/19/2026
VINCI Airports starts Terminal 2 transformation at Lyon-Saint Exupéry ahead of 2030 Winter Olympics
Read at International Airport Review
Airport Industry-News· 10/19/2026
VINCI Airports Launches Modernisation Project at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport
Read at Airport Industry-News
Airports International· 10/19/2026
VINCI launches Lyon transformation
Read at Airports International

Entity data from open aviation datasets (OurAirports, OpenFlights) with AI-assisted editorial clearly marked. Always confirm time-sensitive details with the official airport website. Sources & verification