Getting from Lyon airport to Burgundy means the Rhônexpress tram from Lyon-Saint Exupéry to Lyon Part-Dieu, then a train to Mâcon or Beaune. You can also rent a car at the airport and take the A6 highway.
The short answer
The Rhônexpress tram takes 29 minutes from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport to Lyon Part-Dieu. From Part-Dieu, the fastest direct TGV reaches Mâcon-Loché TGV in 24 minutes, and the fastest train from Lyon to Beaune takes 1 hour 40 minutes. By car, Mâcon is 80 km from the airport and Beaune about 175 km, both on the A6.
Your options
| Option | From | To | Time or distance | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhônexpress tram | Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport | Lyon Part-Dieu | 29 min | 0 |
| TGV | Lyon Part-Dieu | Mâcon-Loché TGV | From 24 min | 0 |
| TER | Lyon Part-Dieu | Mâcon Ville | 47 min on average | 0 |
| Train | Lyon | Beaune | From 1h40 | — |
| Rental car | Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport | Mâcon | 80 km | — |
| Rental car | Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport | Beaune | About 175 km | — |
Rhônexpress to Lyon Part-Dieu
The Rhônexpress terminus is on level -1 of the Lyon-Saint Exupéry TGV station, about 2 minutes from Terminals 1 and 2. The tram also stops at Meyzieu ZI and Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie and reaches Lyon Part-Dieu in 29 minutes.
Trams run 7 days a week all year, from 4:25 a.m. to midnight. Departures are every 15 minutes, and every 30 minutes from 4:25 a.m. to 6 a.m. and from 9 p.m. to midnight. The first tram leaves the airport at 5 a.m.
An adult one-way ticket costs €16.30 ($18) online or €17.40 ($19) at the machine. A return costs €28.50 ($31) online or €30.30 ($33) at the machine. Ages 12–25 pay €10.70 ($12) one-way, and children under 12 travel free without a ticket.
Every Rhônexpress station has ticket machines, and tickets are also sold online and in the mobile app.
Train to Mâcon
From Lyon Part-Dieu, direct TGV INOUI trains reach Mâcon-Loché TGV in as little as 24 minutes. TER trains to Mâcon Ville leave Part-Dieu roughly every hour and take 47 minutes on average.
Trema bus line E links Mâcon-Loché TGV with Mâcon Ville, the town's TER station. For estates and visits, see the Mâcon guide.
Train to Beaune
The fastest train from Lyon to Beaune takes 1 hour 40 minutes. Regional TER trains serve Beaune station directly from Lyon, Dijon and Chalon-sur-Saône. Beaune station is on Avenue du 8 Septembre.
Mobigo bus line 113 links Beaune with Nuits-Saint-Georges and Dijon. For the rest of the region, see the Burgundy guide.
Rental car
All major car rental firms operate at Lyon-Saint Exupéry. Their desks are outside the terminal buildings, and a free shuttle bus runs to them.
For Mâcon, take the A6 and leave at exit 28 (Mâcon Nord) or exit 29 (Mâcon Sud). The town is 80 km from the airport and 45 minutes from Lyon by car.
For Beaune, about 175 km from the airport, stay on the A6 to exit 24.0 (Savigny-Lès-Beaune / Beaune-Saint-Nicolas) or exit 24.1 (Beaune-Centre / Beaune-Hospices). In Beaune, blue-zone parking is free for 3 hours with a parking disc behind the windshield. Free lots include Tanneries, Jardin Anglais, Buttes, Bretonnière and Relais P2 at the south exit.
Taxi or private driver
The Beaune tourist office lists taxis and private drivers for transfers between Beaune and airports, Saint-Exupéry included. Ask for the fare when you book.
Before you go
- There is no ticket counter at the airport railway station. Buy train tickets at the self-service kiosks in the TGV station or online.
- Buy your Rhônexpress ticket before boarding. A ticket bought from the attendant on board costs €4 ($4) extra.
- Check the trains for your travel day on SNCF Connect.
- If you drive to tastings, spit as you taste and choose a designated driver.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Lyon airport to Mâcon?
The Rhônexpress tram takes 29 minutes from the airport to Lyon Part-Dieu. From there, the fastest direct TGV reaches Mâcon-Loché TGV in 24 minutes, and TER trains reach Mâcon Ville in 47 minutes on average. By car, Mâcon is 80 km from the airport.
How do I get from Lyon airport to Beaune by train?
Take the Rhônexpress tram to Lyon Part-Dieu, a 29-minute ride. The fastest train from Lyon to Beaune takes 1 hour 40 minutes, and regional TER trains run directly to Beaune station on Avenue du 8 Septembre.
How much is the Rhônexpress from Lyon airport?
An adult one-way ticket costs €16.30 ($18) online or €17.40 ($19) at the machine. Ages 12–25 pay €10.70 ($12), and children under 12 ride free. Buying on board from the attendant costs €4 ($4) extra.
Where do I find the Rhônexpress at Lyon airport?
The Rhônexpress terminus is on level -1 of the Lyon-Saint Exupéry TGV station, about 2 minutes from Terminals 1 and 2. The first tram leaves the airport at 5 a.m., and trams run until midnight.
