Sleeping in Airports

Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Lyon Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

There were at one point 12 different people taking up couch space, and the staff took absolutely no notice, left us perfectly alone. – a traveller

LYS Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport.

What to Expect

  • Lyon Airport (code: LYS) consists of three separate terminals for domestic, international and low-cost carrier flights. A wide variety of shops, restaurants and services are available, mainly in Terminals 1 and 2.
  • WiFi is available to help pass the time.
  • Economy class passengers can pay to enter one of the airport’s first-class lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates.
Lyon Airport Guide
(Photo courtesy of a Guest Traveller / 21Feb2019)

Sleeping in Lyon Airport

Don’t bother trying to sleep in the stingy and uncomfortable Terminal 3! Terminal 1 is the popular terminal for sleeping, with its ample supply of comfortable seating and couches (mostly near bars and restaurants closed for the night), peaceful atmosphere, power outlets a-plenty, and free WiFi. Have earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones handy to block out any annoying overhead announcements! For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations, or read traveller airport reviews for more tips.

Good to Know

According to one reviewer, the airport train station vending machines are cheaper than those inside the terminal.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Lyon Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

Head to the free lounge area and information bar in Le Square (Level 1). The airport provides free tablet usage and a relaxation area.

Take precautions even when sleeping in the rest zones. In December 2019, a traveller at another airport reported that money and credit cards had been stolen from their bag even though the bag was right beside them. Protect and lock your bags as you would sleeping elsewhere in public.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Lyon Airport:

  • Moxy Lyon Airport – Located in Terminal 2.  No airport shuttle.  » Check Rates
  • NH Lyon Aéroport – (30 steps from Terminals 1 and 2) Day rooms are offered according to availability.  No airport shuttle.  » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Lyon Airport that can be sorted by price, traveller rating and popularity.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
  • Le Salon Mont Blanc – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Non-Schengen, Departure Area, 2nd Floor, Boarding Gate C. Hours: Hours: 6:00 AM-8:30 PM (Mon/Wed/Fri), 7:00 AM-7:00 PM (Tue/Thur) and 7:00 AM-7:00 PM (Sat-Sun). Lounge Access: Pay at the door (31.20€).
  • Salon Confluence – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Schengen, Departures Area, 2nd Floor. Hours: 4:30 AM – 9:30 PM. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (31.20€).

Airline Lounges

If you are a First or Business Class traveller, you may have access to the lounge listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.

  • Air France Lounge – Location: Terminal 2, Airside, near Gate 21. Hours: 4:15 AM – 8:15 PM.

Drinking Water

Information is unavailable. Does Lyon Airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? click here to update this guide.

Food & Drinks

Approximately 20 food concessions throughout the airport operate on varying schedules, with some opening as early as 4:30 AM or 5:00 AM. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

Mobile Charging

Five tables in the restaurant area of Terminal 1 enable mobile charging. Power outlets are available almost everywhere.

Showers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available in all terminals at Lyon Airport. Additionally, the Welcome Space, located in The Square, Landside, 2nd Floor, offers passengers access to iPads.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

ECapsule – Need a private place to work? The ECapsule is an enclosed work booth. Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Boarding area. Hours: 24 hours. Rate: from 2.90€.

Family Services

  • Baby Care Facilities – Diaper changing rooms are available 24 hours daily in T1 and T2. Loaner strollers are available for use free of charge. Request one at the Information Desk.
  • CChildren’sPlay Area – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to one of the children’s play areas. Locations: Terminal 1, landside, Level 0 near the tour operators • Terminal 2, Airside, Departures lounge.

Information Desk – If you have any questions, visit the airport information desk. Locations: T1, Level 0. (Hours: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM) • T2, Level 0. (Hours: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM) • Welcome Area – Le Square, Level 1. (Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM) • Transportation Counter –Terminal 1, Landside, Level 0.

Luggage

  • Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available. Rate: a refundable deposit of €1 (coin-only). If you don’t have a €1 coin handy, free tokens are available in the car parks and Arrivals halls.
  • Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
  • Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having them wrapped in plastic. Rate: Starting at €12 per bag. Locations: Terminal 1, Departure (7:00 AM – 9:00 PM) • Terminal 1, Landside (5:00 AM – 6:00 PM).

Medical Services

  • Medical Services – Urgent and emergency medical care is available at the Infirmary (Bâtiment Arc, Level 0) and the walk-in Medical Practice (Arc Building, Level 0). Infirmary hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Medical Practice hours: Open 24 hours.
  • Pharmacy – Location: Le Square, airside, Level 1. Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Mon – Fri) • 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Sat) • 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Sun).

Money

  • ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Terminal 1, landside, Check-in area on Level 1 • Terminal 2, landside, Check-in area on Level 0.
  • Currency Exchange – Travelex offers currency exchange services. Locations: Terminal 1, Airside. (Hours: 9:00 AM-6:15 PM) • Terminal 1, Landslide. (Hours: 5:15 AM – 8:00 PM).

Prayer Area – There is an interfaith Religious Centre located on Level 1 in Le Square. Hours: Open 24 hours.

Shopping – The airport offers three Duty-Free shops and a selection of other shops, including Relay (newspapers, magazines, snacks, etc.).

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this guide.

Spa & Salon Services – Manicures and pedicures are available at Mademoiselle Vernis Nail Bars. Locations: Terminal 1, Airside, Departure Lounge, Level 1. Hours: Varies, between 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

[mks_accordion_item title=”Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport”

Bus

The airport is well-connected to the bus system. Whether you are travelling to the city, a nearby town or heading to the slopes, there should be a bus that can get you there. For fares, routes and schedules, visit the Lyon Airport website.

Car Rentals

A free shuttle service links the airport with the car rental area. The following agencies are located on-site: Avis/Budget • Enterprise/National/Alamo • Europcar • Hertz/Thrifty • Sixt • Total. Self-service car rentals are also available (24-hour pick-up) with ada and VIRTUO.

Hotel Shuttles

At the time of this update, we found only one hotel offering airport shuttle service: Ibis Budget Aeroport Lyon Saint Exupery.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxi

Metered taxis are readily available at the taxi rank just outside LYS airport. Accepted methods of payment include cash, credit cards and bank checks. The following average daytime rates (7:00 AM – 7:00 PM) were current at the time of this update: Lyon Centre € 50 – 55; Eurexpo € 45 – 50; Cité Internationale € 45 – 50; Grenoble € 150 – 160; Moutiers € 230 – 240.

Train

Lyon Airport is connected by train to over 29 towns in France and Italy, with service provided by TGV high-speed trains or low-cost OUIGO trains. For more information on train services, visit the Lyon Airport website.

Rhônexpress takes you directly to the city center in less than 30 minutes. The train leaves every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes from 4:25 AM – 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM.

Last updated: 2024-08-26

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.