Lyon Saint-Exupery serves two distinct family travel patterns: city breaks to Lyon itself, and ski holidays in the French Alps. The airport is manageable in size and well-equipped, but the onward journey — whether 30 minutes to Lyon or 3 hours to a ski resort — requires thought when traveling with children.
The airport experience
The terminal is modern and compact. Walking distances from gates to baggage claim are reasonable, and there are lifts throughout. Baby changing facilities are available in the terminal toilets. Luggage trolleys are free.
The Rhonexpress tram station is connected by a covered walkway, which is pram-friendly. The platform has level access. For car-based transport, the taxi rank and pickup area are immediately outside arrivals.
Child seat requirements in France
French law requires children under 10 years old to use an appropriate child restraint in a vehicle. This means an infant seat, child seat, or booster depending on age and size. Taxis in France are technically exempt from this rule, but the safety concern remains.
Most taxis at Lyon Airport will not have child seats. If your children require them — and they should — a pre-booked transfer with seats requested in advance is the reliable option. Specify the age and weight of each child when booking so the correct seat type is provided.
Families heading to Lyon city
The Rhonexpress works reasonably well for families heading to Part-Dieu. It has luggage space and room for strollers. From Part-Dieu, the Lyon Metro connects to central areas. However, navigating the Metro with a stroller, bags, and tired children is less appealing. A door-to-door transfer or taxi eliminates the connection.
For families of four, compare costs: four Rhonexpress tickets (64 EUR) plus a short taxi from Part-Dieu (10–15 EUR) totals roughly 75–80 EUR. A single transfer to your hotel costs 55–90 EUR and involves no connections. The transfer often wins on both cost and convenience.
Families heading to ski resorts
Lyon Airport is one of the main gateways to the French Alps. If you are heading to a resort, the journey from the airport is 2–4 hours by road, depending on the resort and conditions. This is a significant drive, especially with young children.
A pre-booked transfer with an experienced mountain driver is the standard choice for ski families. The vehicle will have winter tires or chains as required, the driver knows the mountain roads, and you can focus on keeping children occupied during the drive.
Renting a car and driving mountain roads in winter — potentially at night, after a flight, in unfamiliar conditions — is risky and stressful. Many ski transfer providers also handle ski equipment loading, which saves the hassle of fitting skis and bags into an unfamiliar rental car.
Practical tips
- Book transfers well in advance during ski season. Peak weeks (school holidays, Christmas, February half-term) see heavy demand and prices rise.
- Request child seats at booking time. Do not assume they will be in the vehicle otherwise.
- Pack snacks and entertainment for the car. The drive to ski resorts is long and children will need diversions.
- Dress children in layers. The airport is warm, the car is warm, but you will walk through cold mountain air at the other end.
- Confirm your resort address. Many chalets and apartments in ski villages have specific access instructions. Know exactly where you are being dropped off.