Find the cheapest flights from Paris to Lyon in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: Paris (CDG) → Lyon (LYS)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 2h 30m – 5h 30m (1 stop)
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €95 | low |
| February | €92 | low |
| March | €105 | low |
| April | €115 | medium |
| May | €125 | medium |
| June | €145 | high |
| July | €175 | high |
| August | €185 | high |
| September | €135 | medium |
| October | €110 | medium |
| November | €90 | low |
| December | €130 | medium |
Airlines on This Route
- Air France (direct): from €120 — Flying Blue miles can be redeemed on this route. Check AF’s app for flash sales, usually released on Tuesday afternoons. Business class offers lie-flat seats on the short hop.
- easyJet (direct): from €85 — Sign up for fare alerts on this route – easyJet often runs sales in January and September. Book at least 4 weeks ahead for best prices. Tuesday/Wednesday flights are consistently cheapest.
- Transavia France (direct): from €80 — Transavia France often undercuts easyJet on this route. They operate mainly from Orly airport which is closer to Paris than CDG. Check both CDG and ORY departures.
- Volotea (direct): from €90 — Volotea has limited frequency on this route – typically 2-3 flights daily. Best for those flexible with departure times. Their ‘Assegai’ discount code system can save 10-20%.
Booking Strategy
Paris-Lyon is one of Europe’s shortest major routes at just 400km, with fierce competition from TGV high-speed trains that take 2 hours. Flight prices typically range from €80-185 depending on season and advance booking. The cheapest booking window is 3-6 weeks before departure – booking further in advance rarely yields savings on this domestic route. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are consistently €20-40 cheaper than Friday-Sunday. Use Google Flights to compare all carriers simultaneously; Skyscanner sometimes shows different prices. Consider train as an alternative – TGV prices start at €50-80 and the journey is only 2 hours door-to-door versus 3-4 hours by air when factoring in airport security and transfers. The best strategy: check both train (Oui.SNCF app) and flight prices within the same search. If flying, Orly (ORY) departures are often cheaper than CDG and closer to central Paris.
Route Tips
- Consider the TGV train as an alternative – the 2-hour journey from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part-Dieu often costs €50-80 and is more convenient than the 3-4 hour door-to-door flight time.
- If flying from Paris, Orly Airport (ORY) is closer to central Paris than CDG and often has cheaper departures – factor in the €10-15 transfer cost to reach Orly from central Paris.
- Book Tuesday-Wednesday departures for €20-40 savings over weekend flights – this is one of the most price-sensitive domestic routes in Europe.
- Lyon-Saint Exupéry’s Rhônexpress tram is the fastest city transfer at 30 minutes – buy tickets online for €16.20 versus €20 at the station.
- For business travelers, Air France offers the most frequent departures and flexible rebooking options, while budget travelers should check both easyJet and Transavia for competitive pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Paris to Lyon?
The direct flight from Paris to Lyon takes just 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes, making it one of the shortest commercial flights in Europe. Airlines operating this route include Air France, easyJet, Transavia France, and Volotea. If booking a connecting flight (rare but possible through hubs like Munich or Frankfurt), expect a total journey time of 2.5 to 5.5 hours depending on connection duration. Most travelers opt for direct flights given the short distance. Note that trains complete this journey in about 2 hours, making air travel only marginally faster door-to-door when accounting for airport security and transfers.
How much does it cost to fly from Paris to Lyon?
Economy flights from Paris to Lyon typically cost between €85-185 depending on the season, airline, and how far in advance you book. The cheapest deals (€80-100) are found in January, February, and November during low demand periods. Summer months (July-August) see peak pricing around €150-185 due to French school holidays. Air France tends to be more expensive (€120+) but offers more flexible booking terms. Budget carriers Transavia and easyJet regularly offer seats from €80-110 when booked 3-6 weeks in advance. Always compare with train prices – TGVs start at €50-80 and may be more convenient.
Are there direct flights from Paris to Lyon?
Yes, direct flights are readily available between Paris and Lyon with multiple daily departures from Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Orly (ORY), and Beauvais (BVA) airports. Four airlines operate direct services: Air France (most frequent, 8-10 daily), easyJet (4-6 daily), Transavia France (3-4 daily), and Volotea (2-3 daily). Flight time is only 1h10m-1h25m. There is no need for connecting flights unless you are flying from another French city or arriving from abroad. The route is heavily served because Lyon is France’s second-largest business city after Paris.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Paris to Lyon?
January and February are the cheapest months to fly from Paris to Lyon, with average prices around €90-95. November also offers excellent value at approximately €90. These low-season months see reduced demand as they fall outside French school holiday periods. Conversely, August is the most expensive month (averaging €185) due to summer vacation travel, followed by July (€175). April and May offer moderate pricing around €115-125. For the best deals, avoid French school holiday periods: Toussaint (late October), Christmas/New Year, February break, Easter, and all of July-August.
Which airlines fly from Paris to Lyon?
Four main airlines serve the Paris-Lyon route: Air France (flag carrier, most frequent departures, business-focused), easyJet (low-cost, budget-focused travelers), Transavia France (low-cost, subsidiary of Air France, Orly-based), and Volotea (regional low-cost carrier). Air France offers the most comfortable experience with better legroom and included checked baggage for most fare classes. Budget carriers easyJet and Transavia dominate in volume and often offer the lowest prices (€80-110). Volotea has fewer frequencies but sometimes competitive fares. All four operate from CDG and/or Orly airports in Paris to Lyon-Saint Exupéry.
What airport do I fly into in Lyon?
You will fly into Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), located about 25km east of central Lyon. The airport has two terminals (1 and 2) used by all airlines. Transport into the city is straightforward: the Rhônexpress tram takes 30 minutes to Part-Dieu railway station (€16.20 one-way, €32.20 round-trip) and runs every 15-30 minutes from 4:25am to midnight. Alternatively, public bus line 47 is cheaper at €2 but takes longer. Taxis cost approximately €50-60 to the city center. Part-Dieu station connects to Lyon Metro (lines B and D). Many travelers continue by train to other French cities from Part-Dieu.
How far in advance should I book Paris to Lyon flights?
For Paris to Lyon flights, booking 3-6 weeks in advance typically yields the best prices. Unlike international routes, booking extremely early (3+ months) rarely provides savings on this domestic route as airlines don’t significantly adjust pricing that far out. The optimal window is 21-42 days before departure. Last-minute bookings (within 7 days) are typically €30-60 more expensive. January, February, and November bookings can be more flexible as demand is lower. Business travelers often book last-minute at higher fares, which is why prices spike close to departure. Use fare alerts set 4 weeks before your intended travel date.
Is it cheaper to fly from Paris to Lyon on weekdays?
Yes, flying midweek is significantly cheaper than weekend travel on the Paris-Lyon route. Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically cost €20-40 less than Friday, Saturday, or Sunday flights. This pattern holds across all airlines and is most pronounced during high season. Monday and Thursday fall in the middle price range. The savings are driven by business traveler demand – Tuesday-Wednesday sees minimal business travel, while Monday and Friday have high corporate traffic. For the best deal, aim for Tuesday or Wednesday departures and book at least 4 weeks ahead. Weekend returns are also more expensive, so consider returning on Saturday morning rather than Sunday evening if possible.
Data updated: 2026-03
