Arriving to Lyon by car

Indeed, the city is the center of a vast road network of over 1000 km, which connects Lyon to all major cities in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and to major European cities

• From Geneva: it takes 2 hours to Lyon
• From Clermont-Ferrand: 2 hours to Lyon 
• From the ski resorts in the French Alps: roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes to Lyon
• From Turin or Marseille: it takes 3 hours and 10 minutes to arrive in Lyon
• From Paris: it takes 4 hours and 30 minutes to arrive in Lyon
• From Barcelona: it takes 6 hours and a quarter to arrive in Lyon.

ZFE and ZTL: prepare for new air pollution restrictions!

In order to contribute to the fight against pollution, the Lyon metropolitan area has introduced a Low Emissions Zone (ZFE – Zone à faibles émissions) covering Lyon, Villeurbanne and Caluire, as well as Bron and Vénissieux within the ring road.
Since 1 January 2025, private vehicles with a Crit'air 3, 4 or 5 sticker, or non-classified and without a sticker, are no longer authorised to drive and park in the zone concerned. Inspections will be carried out by the police and fines will be given.
Please note that driving restrictions also apply on major highways like the M6 and M7 roads (extensions of the A6 and A7 motorways respectively), the Laurent Bonnevay ring road to the east, and the North Lyon ring road (BPNL – Boulevard Périphérique Nord Lyon). 

Is your vehicle (car or motorcycle) registered outside of France?
Visit the French Ministry of Ecological Transition's website to order your Crit'Air disc.

In addition, a Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL – Zone à Trafic Limité) will be introduced in Lyon city centre. It will extend from the slopes of Croix-Rousse hill to the north side of Place Bellecour. From 21 June 2025, only permanent rights holders (residents, shopkeepers, delivery drivers, emergency service workers, people with reduced mobility, etc.) and occasional rights holders who have registered 48 hrs in advance will be able to drive in the zone from 1 pm to 6 am. From 6 am to 1 pm, the retractable bollards will be lowered to enable access for all vehicles. If you are staying at a hotel located in this zone, you will receive a code that grants you access.  

Visitors travelling by car who do not have a valid reason to enter the ZTL will need to plan ahead. They can leave their vehicle at one of the 18 neighbouring car parks and then travel to the Presqu'île by public transport. With this in mind, the Sytral network operator is adapting its services to improve access to the Presqu'île. Finally, if you would like to cross the Presqu'île by car from east to west, the best option is to drive through the Croix-Rousse tunnel or around the edge of Place Bellecour, and along the banks of the Rhône and Saône from north to south.  

Useful links: 

• Further information is available at the Greater Lyon mobility agency website
• Click here to see a map of the ZTL 
• Register your numberplate at the LPA Mobilités digital counter. 

Be smart!

In August, lots of parking spaces are free! Get all the latest info at: www.lyon.fr/actualite/mobilites/stationnement-estival-comment-ca-marche
To find out about traffic conditions and choose your route and travelling times accordingly. See road traffic in Lyon in real time, or get traffic forecasts on:  www.coraly.com  or L'Agence des Mobilités  to find out all about the public transport system servicing Lyon’s surrounding urban sectors.
To see the number of places available in the relay parks : https://www.tcl.fr/en/journey-planner/interactive-map

You can also check out Flixbus for affordable travel.
Prefer to car share? Go to Klaxit or Blablacar (in French)
To get about in Lyon and the outskirts of the city, opt for En Covoit' (in French)
Prepare your trip: book trains, buses and their combination on www.tictactrip.eu

Safe journey!