Private car transfer from Lucerne to Lyon

On the winding roads from Switzerland to France, you have the option to enrich your trip with sightseeing stops such as Bern, Switzerland's capital, or visit the impressively well-preserved Hallwyl Castle, staggering above its imposing moat. Your friendly English-speaking driver will be able to provide local insight into the cities and ensure your safe and stress-free transfer to Lyon, where you will be transported directly to your accommodation and help with your luggage.

Lyon was founded by Romans, a beginning which is still evident today in sights such as the still-used amphitheater stages or the ruins in the Roman district. Later, the city found its Renaissance foothold in the production and weaving of silk, as well as in printing. The many monuments from its 2000-year history have earned Lyon recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lyon is also known as the birthplace of cinema as we know it today, thanks to the nineteenth-century residents Auguste and Louis Lumière. The brothers created a combination camera and projector, called the cinématographe (as in cinematography), the progenitor of the big screen. This rich history has allowed Lyon to remain a financial and cultural center of France and Europe as a whole, making it a must-see destination for any trip to France.

While the silk production and cinematographic history is still a draw for many visitors to Lyon, the city’s biggest appeal may just be its gastronomy. Traditional restaurants ("bouchons") serve up refined local dishes and wines from some of the most famous regions in France: the nearby Beaujolais and the Côtes du Rhône. Enjoy sampling traditionally prepared Lyonnaise specialties such as quenelle (a poached seafood or meat croquette), or fromage blanc (a soft, creamy cheese often combined with herbs and spices to create a flavorful spread).

Enhance your trip with sightseeing

When you travel with Daytrip, you can communicate your preferences to your driver and curate an itinerary of sightseeing stops that prioritizes exactly what you want to see along the way. Use this time wisely and consider stops in fascinating places you may otherwise overlook, such as Lausanne, an idyllic town built against the banks of Lake Genova.

Private transfer from Lucerne to Lyon

A private car transfer between Lucerne and Lyon will take approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes, and prices with Daytrip start at $147 (€135) per person. This option is the simplest to organize since you'll ride door-to-door with a helpful English-speaking driver. It's also the most enriching, since you can talk with your driver about local culture, and stop for sightseeing along the way!

Train from Lucerne to Lyon

The train route from Lucerne to Lyon takes about 5.5 hours and will require at least one transfer to a new train (typically in Geneva.) The ticket prices vary but are on average $125-233 (€115-215).

Bus from Lucerne to Lyon

The bus route between Lucerne and Lyon is the cheapest option, with tickets starting at $18 (€16.50). However, this option also involves a more complicated travel route, requiring several transfers and can take up to 13.5 hours.

The fastest available route involves first taking the train to Geneva, and then taking a bus from Geneva Bus station to the Lyon - Perrache Bus station. From there, you can take either the M or C line buses to the center of town in Lyon.

Flight from Lucerne to Lyon

Lucerne doesn't actually have an airport, so to fly to Lyon, you first have to get to Zurich Airport, about 30 miles away (49 km). From there, most flights involve a layover in cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, or Paris.

The fastest flight takes 3.5 hours (airport to airport, not counting the journey to and from either airport or the 2-hour pre-departure arrival time recommended in advance of a flight). Flights start at $160 (€147), though the route itself can cost closer to $483 (€444) after booking the other required modes of transport. Basically, it’s slower, more hassle, and more expensive than taking a private car service.

Tour the Musée des Confluences

This anthropological museum only opened in 2014 but has quickly become a top attraction in Lyon. Housed in one of the city's most striking modern buildings, a speedboat of concrete, steel, and glass, the Musée des Confluences displays natural science exhibits and explorations of Lyon’s history, the development of evolutionary theories, and theatrical connections.

Stroll through the Parc de la Tête d'Or

The largest urban park in France, this outdoor space offers outdoor recreation for the whole family. Walking trails galore and large open spaces for picnics are a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of Lyon. If you’re visiting in the spring or summer, boating takes place on the lake and can make for a great family outing.

Eat at a bouchons

Bouchons are restaurants serving traditional Lyonnaise food and are the best way to experience Lyon’s world-renowned cuisine. The region’s cuisine is heavily influenced by locally available ingredients, including regionally grown herbs, local cheeses, and fresh pork products from the nearby pig farms. You will also have a variety of regional wines to choose from to top off this warm, comforting traditional dining experience.

Or, visit in the winter, when Lyon hosts one of Europe’s most famous Christmas festivals, the Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights). This festival runs for 4 days in early December and sees the city decked out in dazzling light displays produced by local artists and businesses.