Amsterdam to Lyon is a quick hop of well under two hours, and it’s flown non-stop from Schiphol by KLM and its partner Air France. Lyon is France’s gastronomic capital and the main gateway to the northern Alps, so it draws both weekend visitors and winter-sports travellers. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return fare looks like in euros, and when to book.
Route: Amsterdam (AMS) → Lyon, Saint-Exupéry (LYS)
Distance: approximately 750 km (465 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 1h 35m each way
Direct flights: Yes — KLM and Air France fly non-stop between Amsterdam and Lyon. Budget carriers such as Transavia and easyJet do not fly this route directly; their itineraries connect via another city.
Fares from Amsterdam to Lyon (EUR)
Lyon fares are steadiest of the four seasons, with mild peaks in the summer holidays and around the winter ski season, when Lyon is a popular arrival point for the Alps. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured. Because both non-stop carriers are full-service, standard fares usually include a checked bag — handy if you’re heading to the mountains.
| Month | Demand |
|---|---|
| January | medium (ski season) |
| February | medium-high (ski holidays) |
| March | medium |
| April | medium |
| May | medium |
| June | medium |
| July | high (summer) |
| August | high |
| September | medium |
| October | low |
| November | low |
| December | medium-high (ski & holidays) |
We don’t yet have a large tracked-deal sample on this specific route, so these ranges are indicative, based on current schedules and typical short-haul European pricing. As a rule of thumb, a strong return sits around €80–€110 and anything under about €100 is a good price.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 1h35):
- KLM — the main operator from its Amsterdam hub, with multiple daily flights; full-service, checked bag on standard fares.
- Air France — KLM’s partner also serves the route; between them they offer good frequency and flexible connections.
One-stop (if the non-stop times don’t suit):
- Connecting itineraries via Paris, Frankfurt or other hubs — sometimes cheaper than the direct flight, but they turn a 1½-hour hop into half a day, so weigh the saving against the time.
For such a short route, the non-stop is almost always the better choice unless a connection is significantly cheaper. Note that Transavia and easyJet, which fly many other Amsterdam routes, do not operate Amsterdam–Lyon directly, so don’t expect a rock-bottom low-cost fare here.
When to book & how to save
- Book 3–8 weeks ahead for the best short-haul price; fares rise as the flight fills.
- Travel in the low season (October–November, or spring outside holidays) for the cheapest fares and a quieter city.
- Ski travellers, book early: February and the Christmas–New Year weeks are the busiest for Alps-bound passengers, so seats and low fares go quickly.
- Fly midweek — Tuesday to Thursday departures usually price a little lower than weekend flights.
- Use the included bag: because KLM and Air France standard fares include a checked bag, there’s often little reason to hunt for a cheaper hand-baggage-only deal on this route.
Arriving in Lyon
You land at Lyon–Saint-Exupéry (LYS), about 25 km east of the city. The quickest way in is the Rhônexpress tram, which runs to the Part-Dieu station in the centre in around 30 minutes for roughly €16 one way. A taxi to the centre costs about €50–€60 and takes 30–40 minutes. The airport also has its own TGV station, so onward high-speed trains to the Alps, Marseille or Paris can be a smart connection.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Lyon?
Non-stop flights take about 1 hour 35 minutes each way. With boarding and taxiing, plan for roughly two hours gate to gate on the direct KLM or Air France service.
Are there direct flights from Amsterdam to Lyon?
Yes. KLM and Air France fly non-stop between Amsterdam Schiphol and Lyon–Saint-Exupéry, with several departures a day between them. Budget carriers like Transavia and easyJet do not fly this route directly, so their fares involve a connection.
How much does it cost to fly from Amsterdam to Lyon?
A typical economy return runs about €90–€200 depending on the season. A strong price sits around €80–€110, usually in the autumn low season, while summer and the winter ski weeks are dearer. These are indicative ranges from current schedules rather than a large tracked sample.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Amsterdam to Lyon?
October and November are usually the cheapest months to fly. The busiest and priciest periods are July–August and the February ski holidays, plus the Christmas–New Year peak.
Which airlines fly from Amsterdam to Lyon?
Non-stop: KLM and Air France, which are partner airlines and between them provide the direct service. Other airlines can get you there with a connection, but there is no low-cost non-stop on this route.
Which airport do I fly into in Lyon?
You arrive at Lyon–Saint-Exupéry (LYS), Lyon’s main international airport, about 25 km east of the city. It has its own tram (the Rhônexpress) and a TGV high-speed rail station, so onward travel into the city or to the Alps is straightforward.
How far in advance should I book Amsterdam to Lyon flights?
Book 3 to 8 weeks ahead for the best short-haul price. Fares rise as the flight fills, and demand spikes around the winter ski season and summer holidays, so earlier is better for those periods.
Is Lyon a good gateway to the French Alps?
Yes — Lyon is one of the main arrival points for the northern Alps. From Saint-Exupéry you can pick up onward coaches or TGV trains toward resorts like Chambéry, Grenoble and the ski areas, which is why the route is busiest in the winter sports season.
Route and schedule details from current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
