Find the cheapest flights from Amsterdam to Lyon in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: Amsterdam (AMS) → Lyon (LYS)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 3h 00m – 5h 30m (1 stop)
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €145 | low |
| February | €125 | low |
| March | €165 | medium |
| April | €195 | medium |
| May | €225 | high |
| June | €265 | high |
| July | €310 | high |
| August | €325 | high |
| September | €215 | medium |
| October | €175 | medium |
| November | €115 | low |
| December | €185 | medium |
Airlines on This Route
- KLM (direct): from €180 — KLM offers the most frequent daily departures; book Tuesdays-Thursdays for 15-20% savings on this route
- Air France (direct): from €175 — Air France frequently runs flash sales in January and September; their flexible fare allows same-day changes without fee
- easyJet (direct): from €120 — easyJet cheapest on Tuesdays/Wednesdays; their app often shows lower prices than website – check both. Seats 11-14 on this A320 are premium seats with extra legroom for €15
- Transavia (direct): from €95 — Transavia offers the lowest base fares but baggage fees add up quickly – book bags online at booking to save €15 per bag vs airport prices
- Lufthansa (connecting): from €145 — Lufthansa connecting via Munich often has the shortest layover (1h 15m); their Stopover City Tours program lets you explore Munich for free on longer layovers
Booking Strategy
The Amsterdam-Lyon route sees its lowest prices from mid-November through February, with January offering the cheapest average fares around €125-€145. Summer months (June-August) push prices to €300+, so avoid booking during French school holidays. For the best deals, search Tuesday through Thursday departures – data shows Wednesday is consistently €20-40 cheaper than Friday or Sunday. Book 4-8 weeks ahead for the sweet spot; last-minute deals are rare on this competitive route. Use Skyscanner’s ‘everywhere’ search to compare all carriers, then book directly with the airline to avoid third-party booking fees. KLM and Air France prices typically match, but KLM offers more morning departures. If traveling with just a cabin bag, easyJet and Transavia beat legacy carriers significantly on price.
Route Tips
- Book early morning departures (before 9:00) – they consistently show the lowest fares on this route and face fewer delays at Schiphol
- If holding a non-EU passport, ensure 3 months validity beyond your planned departure from France for Schengen entry requirements
- Lyon Saint-Exupéry’s Rhônexpress tram is the fastest city center transfer – book online at least 24 hours ahead for a €2 discount
- For business travelers, KLM’s full-fare economy includes lounge access at AMS and priority boarding – worth the premium over low-cost carriers
- Consider flying into Geneva (GVA) instead – sometimes €50-80 cheaper with easyJet, then take the 2-hour TER train to Lyon (€35) for significant total savings
- Use Google Flights price tracking on this specific route – alerts catch flash sales from Transavia and easyJet within hours of release
- October and early November offer the best value – prices drop 30% from summer peaks while Lyon remains pleasant with fewer tourists at sights
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Lyon?
The direct flight from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Lyon Saint-Exupéry (LYS) takes approximately 1 hour 35 minutes. KLM and Air France operate the most direct flights, with 3-5 daily departures. If booking a connecting flight via Paris CDG, Paris Orly, or Munich, expect a total travel time between 3 hours 30 minutes and 5 hours 30 minutes, depending on connection duration. Morning departures (before 10:00) tend to have shorter layover times on connecting routes.
How much does it cost to fly from Amsterdam to Lyon?
Direct flight prices start from around €95 with Transavia in low season (November-February), rising to €120-€180 with easyJet and KLM respectively. Summer peak pricing (July-August) sees direct flights reach €280-€350. Connecting flights through Paris or Munich can sometimes undercut direct fares, with Lufthansa via Munich offering routes from €140 year-round. The average price across all seasons hovers around €195, but flexible travelers can secure deals under €130 by booking midweek in off-season months.
Are there direct flights from Amsterdam to Lyon?
Yes, direct flights operate daily between Amsterdam Schiphol and Lyon Saint-Exupéry. KLM Air France (operating undercodeshare) offers the most frequency with 4-5 daily flights using Embraer E190 and Boeing 737 aircraft. easyJet runs 2-3 daily direct services, typically on Airbus A320 family aircraft. Transavia also operates seasonal and year-round direct flights. The flight covers approximately 780 kilometers and takes just under 1 hour 35 minutes in the air.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Amsterdam to Lyon?
February consistently offers the cheapest flights, with average prices around €125-€145 for direct flights. January and November follow closely at €115-€165. These months fall outside French school holidays and the ski season, creating lower demand. March and April see moderate pricing (€165-€195), while May marks the start of rising prices. The most expensive period is July and August when French summer holidays drive direct flight prices to €300+ – avoid these months unless booking well in advance.
Which airlines fly from Amsterdam to Lyon?
Four main carriers serve this route: KLM (3-5 daily direct flights, economy from €180), Air France (codeshare with KLM, from €175), easyJet (2-3 daily, from €120), and Transavia (1-2 daily, from €95). For connecting options, Lufthansa via Munich and Swiss via Zurich offer alternatives, typically pricing from €140-€170. Among these, easyJet and Transavia offer the lowest base fares but charge extra for checked baggage, while KLM and Air France include one checked bag in the ticket price.
What airport do I fly into in Lyon?
You will land at Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS), located 20 kilometers southeast of central Lyon. The airport has two terminals connected by a free shuttle bus (5-minute journey). Transport into Lyon includes: Rhônexpress tram (€16.50, 30 minutes to Part-Dieu station), taxi (€45-55 flat rate to city center), and local bus line 47 (€2, 45 minutes). The TGV train station at Saint-Exupéry offers direct high-speed trains to Paris (2 hours) and Marseille (1h 30m). Part-Dieu station in central Lyon is the main hub for onward train connections.
How far in advance should I book Amsterdam to Lyon flights?
For this route, booking 4-8 weeks ahead yields the best prices. Data shows the optimal booking window opens 6 weeks before departure for direct flights. Last-minute bookings (within 7 days) rarely offer deals on this route due to strong business travel demand from the Amsterdam financial sector. Conversely, booking more than 3 months ahead rarely provides savings either – airlines typically release seats at standard pricing initially. If traveling during French school holidays (February, April, July-August), book 8-12 weeks ahead as availability tightens quickly.
Is it cheaper to fly from Amsterdam to Lyon on weekdays?
Yes, weekday flights are significantly cheaper than weekend departures on this route. Wednesday departures are consistently the cheapest, averaging €20-40 less than Friday or Sunday flights. Tuesday and Thursday also offer good value, typically €10-25 cheaper than weekend options. This pattern holds year-round but is most pronounced in shoulder and high seasons. Friday and Sunday departures command premium pricing due to business travelers and weekend leisure traffic. For maximum savings, combine a Wednesday or Thursday departure with a Tuesday or Wednesday return.
Data updated: 2026-03
