My husband and I will be staying in Vieux,Lyon (Hotel is on Rue de la Loge). We are trying to determine if should brave the transportation system there or just grab a taxi at the airpot to the hotel. It sounds like the Rhone Metro at the airport to Part-Dieu is fairly straightforward. After that we're a little concerned. Our hotel told us to take the metro (from Part-Dieu) to the Vieux-Lyon Cathedrale St. Jean station and then walk from there. But it looks like it may take a few train changes. Is the metro there easy to navigate?
(we have very limited French language skills) Thanks so much!
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
Part-Dieu to Vieux-Lyon needs one change from Line B to D. As in most French cities the signage in metro stations refers to the stations at the end of the line. You want Line B towards Stade de Gerland, then at the Saxe-Gambetta station change to Line D towards Gare de Vaise. Alternatively you can get a single bus route C3 from Part-Dieu all the way to Gare St Paul railway station in the old town of Lyon, and walk to your hotel from there. Whichever you decide to do, make sure you use the ticket option at the airport to get a combined Rhonexpress/local transport ticket.
Posted by
Green Bay
19959 posts
Another way is to change from the Rhone Express to the A line at Vaulx-en-Velin, to Bellecour and change to the D line one stop, direction Gare de Vaise. Vaulx-en-Velin is the terminus of the A line, so only one direction is available. http://www.mapsorama.com/maps/europe/france/lyon/Lyon_transports.png http://www.tcl.fr/en
Posted by
OP
Carmel, Ca, United States
13 posts
Thanks so much for the responses. Are the metro lines well marked (ie color or letter) and easy to reach at Part-Dieu station?
Posted by
Green Bay
19959 posts
Part-Dieu is a central public transport hub in Lyon, so it may take a minute or two to get your bearings. I know there is an entrance right in front of the station doors, but looks like the Rhone Express stops on the side of the station opposite the main entrance, so you have to cut through the station to get there. Don't be afraid to ask directions when you hop off the Rhone Express. The connection at Vaulx-en-Velin is easier. Also, the Rhone express is basically a street car, so catching the Metro there may be quicker.
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
We were just in Lyon, and used the Rhone Express and the Metro. The Rhone Express is behind the train station, and the Metro is on the other side of the station about 1/2 block past the front station entrance on the same side of the street. We exited the Metro, then walked through the train station to the Rhone Express in back. Maybe there is a way to avoid going through the train station when leaving the Metro, but I didn't notice it. And the Metro is quite easy to use.