distance tours lyon en train

The 10 Best Day Trips from Lyon (under 3 Hours by Train)

Like this post? Spread the word!

If you find yourself in Lyon, you’re in LUCK. Not only is it an awesome city, but it is surrounded by the most beautiful towns that are perfect for day trips. Here are some great day trips from Lyon you can take with the best things to do PLUS distance from Lyon. Whoosh. Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

Best Day Trips from Lyon:

1. annecy, france.

Annecy is known as the “Venice of the Alps ” and famous for its enchanting canals and breathtaking views of the lake. A day trip to Annecy means you’ll be able to hit pause and unwind.

❤️️ Top Things to Do : Explore the Old Town, take a boat ride on Lake Annecy, visit Annecy Castle, discover Palais de l’Isle, and enjoy outdoor activities in the scenic surroundings.

How to Get to Annecy, France from Lyon:

• By Car: It’s 150 kilometers (93 miles) away and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

• By Train: Take a high speed train (TGV) from Lyon Part Dieu station. You’ll reach Annecy in about 2 hours.

2. Geneva, Switzerland

Next is Geneva, Switzerland – just a short train ride away from Lyon. It offers a mix of culture, history and stunning landscapes making it one of the best day trips from Lyon.

❤️️ Top Things to Do: Tour the United Nations Office, admire the Jet d’Eau, stroll through the Old Town, visit the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, and indulge in Swiss chocolate.

How to Get to Geneva, Switzerland from Lyon:

• By Car: Approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles), 1.5 to 2 hours.

• By Train: Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours by high-speed train (TGV) from Lyon Part-Dieu to Geneva station.

3. Aix-les-Bains, France

Aix les Bains, France is a thermal spa town located near the beautiful Lake Bourget. This is the place for relaxation. Don’t miss out on Les Thermes Chevalley and water activities at Lake Bourget.

❤️️ Top Things to Do : Relax in Les Thermes Chevalley, enjoy Lake Bourget for water activities, try your luck at Grand Cercle Casino, explore Château de la Roche du Roi, and take in panoramic views from Mont Revard.

How to Get to Aix-les-Bains, France from Lyon:

 By car: It’s 85 kilometers (around 53 miles) away and takes about 1 to 1.5 hours of driving.

• By Train: Approximately 1 hour by train from Lyon Part-Dieu to Aix-les-Bains station.

4. Vienne, France

Vienne, in France is a city rich in history and Roman heritage. The must visit attraction here is the theater where you can immerse yourself in ancient ruins situated right in the heart of the city.

❤️️ Top Things to Do : Visit the Roman Theater, explore the Temple of Augustus and Livia, admire Saint-Maurice Cathedral, discover local museums, and shop at the Sunday market.

How to Get to Vienne, France from Lyon:

• By Car: It’s a short 30 kilometer (19 mile) drive that takes approximately 30 minutes.

• By Train: Approximately 30 minutes by train from Lyon Part-Dieu to Vienne station.

5. Grenoble, France

Grenoble is a city snuggled amidst the French Alps. For all you adventure enthusiasts there this is the ultimate destination. You’ll find a ton of hiking trails and skiing opportunities making it one of the best day trips from Lyon.

My experience: I visited Grenoble and loved it. I went hiking up the Chamechaude (easily accessible by bus to hiking spot). The city is also great I liked the museum up the cable car, and the viewpoint was fabulous.

❤️️ Top Things to Do : Take the cable car to Bastille Hill for city and mountain views, explore the Musée de Grenoble, enjoy Parc Paul Mistral, go hiking in the nearby mountains, and experience the city’s café culture.

How to Get to Grenoble, France from Lyon:

• By Car: It’s 150 kilometers (93 miles) and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

• By Train: You can take a train from Lyon Part Dieu to Grenoble station, which usually takes around 1 to 1.5 hours.

6. Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez , France

When exploring Lyon don’t miss out on visiting Sainte Croix en Jarez, a former Carthusian monastery village. Admire the well preserved architecture and immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere that was once home to monks.

❤️️ Top Things to Do : Discover the tranquil Carthusian Monastery, wander through the charming village, explore the Chartreuse Mountains, and enjoy serene nature walks.

How to Get to Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez:

• By Car: It’s 60 kilometers (37 miles) away and takes about 1 to 1.5 hours by car.

• By train: there is no train service available for reaching Sainte Croix en Jarez. Its best accessed by car or bus.

7. Chamonix Mont Blanc, France

If you find yourself in Lyon and seeking an experience at higher altitudes make your way to Chamonix Mont Blanc. This is a BIG destination for hiking enthusiasts, skiing lovers, and anyone wanting to experience the alpine scenery. Don’t forget to experience the Aiguille du Midi cable car ride.

❤️️ Top Things to Do : Go hiking or skiing with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc, visit the Aiguille du Midi, and explore the town’s alpine charm

How to Get to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France from Lyon:

• By Car: Approximately 220 kilometers (137 miles), 2.5 to 3 hours.

• By Train: Approximately 3 to 3.5 hours by train with transfers from Lyon Part-Dieu to Chamonix station.

8: Cluny, France

Cluny is a medieval town that offers a glimpse into Frances rich historical heritage- a great day trip from Lyon. Discover the Cluny Abbey, a significant Romanesque masterpiece and walk through its charming streets.  

❤️️ Top Things to Do: Visit the historic Cluny Abbey, stroll through the medieval town, explore its charming streets, and admire the local architecture and heritage.

How to Get to Cluny from Lyon:

• By Car: Approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles), 1.5 to 2 hours.

• By Train: No direct train service to Cluny; it’s best accessed by car or bus.

9: Clermont Ferrand , France

Clermont Ferrand is renowned for its history and captivating charm. Take an in outdoor adventure to the nearby Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park.

❤️️ Top Things to Do : Explore the historic city center, visit the impressive black volcanic stone cathedral, discover the Puy de Dôme volcano, sample local Auvergne cuisine, and delve into the city’s vibrant cultural scene.

How to Get to Clermont Ferrand from Lyon:

• By Car: Drive 150 kilometers (93 miles) it will take you approximately 1.5 to 2.

• By Train: Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours by train from Lyon Part-Dieu to Clermont-Ferrand station.

10: Pérouges, France

Pérouges is a preserved medieval town that will transport you back in time, with its cobblestone streets and timber framed houses.

❤️️ Top Things to Do : Step back in time while exploring the beautifully preserved medieval town, wandering its cobblestone streets, visiting local artisan shops, and enjoying traditional cuisine.

How to Get to Pérouges, France from Lyon:

• By Car: Approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles), 45 minutes to 1 hour.

• By Train: No direct train service to Pérouges. It’s best accessed by car or bus.

Found these Day Trips from Lyon helpful? Pin it now read it later

Save or Share!

Related resources:

• Free Museums in Paris for Students, Those under 26, and Teachers
• The ONLY First Timer’s Guide to Vieux Lyon You NEED (Lyon Old Town)
• Day Trips from Montpellier You Can’t IGNORE
• The Most Beautiful Traboules in Lyon OPEN to the Public
• Lyon Shopping: My Insider Guide to the 9 Best Spots
• Lyon City Card: Do I Think It’s Worth it?

Latifah is a vegan foodie who loves travelling and cooking plant-based recipes. She loves sharing her favorite travel spots and adding a sprinkle of confetti to your day.

2 thoughts on “The 10 Best Day Trips from Lyon (under 3 Hours by Train)”

I love what you did here! I have been searching and everywhere it just seemed like all trips were for wine lovers…Your info is just what I needed for a trip to Lyon with my daughter who wanted to see nature! Thank you!

Thanks for the affirmation Tamar- you just made my day! Ya not really a wine gal myself hehe- it does get frustrating when all trips are like go to this vineyard or chateau to sample wine and you’re like SKIP. You will love Lyon- make sure to check out Parc des Tetes D’Or for a gorgeous nature outing in the middle of the city.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Try changing your search query or try one of the suggestions below!

War in ukraine, free and up-to-date :), transportation to and from moscow sheremetyevo airport, what is the distance from moscow sheremetyevo airport to the centre of moscow.

The distance to the centre of Moscow (Saint Basil’s Cathedral / Red Square) is 34 kilometres from South Terminal Complex and 42 kilometres from North Terminal Complex. Thus, terminals A and B are further away from the city. Travel time between the airport and the city centre is 1 hour and 5 minutes. Unfortunately, it can be busy on the roads and you should take into account a car journey that takes longer.

From SVO Airport to Moscow City centre by Taxi

City centre

Public transport

Train aeroexpress to moscow – buy tickets.

The fastest travel option between Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport and the centre of Moscow is the train Aeroexpress. You can get stuck in a traffic jam if you travel by car, taxi or bus, that won’t happen if you take the train. The Aeroexpress commutes between Belorussky Station in the city and the railway station at the airport, located on the south side of the airport at Terminal E. An automated people mover (APM) runs between this station and terminals A and B. The Aeroexpress departs every 30 minutes, travel time is 35 minutes.

From metro station Belorusskaya at Belorussky Station, you can travel by metro to the city centre and other parts of Moscow. The journey time from metro station Belorusskaya to metro station Teatralnaya close to Red Square is only 5 minutes.

Aeroexpress tickets The prices are listed below, an Aeroexpress ticket including a ride with the metro, tram or (trolley) bus costs 560 RUB, the price for a subway ticket is 55 RUB. You can buy tickets for the Aeroexpress at the stations, but it is cheaper to do this online. Please consult website and timetable Aeroexpress for more information.

SAVING TIPS: Tickets can be bought at the airport, but online it is easier and cheaper (450 RUB one way, 900 RUB return). A group ticket can be used by four people and costs 1,100 RUB for a single journey and 1,800 RUB for a return (valid for 30 days). The price is the same online and from the ticket machine. Aeroexpress trains run without stopping, besides you can use free WiFi aboard since early 2015.

Top 5 sights in Moscow

1. Red Square – free! 2. Moscow Kremlin 3. Saint Basil’s Cathedral 4. Moscow Metro Tour of 1.5 hours 5. Communist Walking Tour of 2 hours

Bus and metro to Moscow

It is more economical to travel by bus and metro to the centre of Moscow. Needless to say, taking a direct train is easier and faster. With bus 817 and bus 948 you can get in 35 minutes to metro station Planernaya (northernmost station metro line 7). With bus 851 and bus 949 it takes 25 minutes to metro station Rechnoy Vokzal (northernmost station metro line 2). The price of a bus ticket is 57 RUB or 80 RUB.

From both stations you can take the metro to the centre of Moscow, station Kuznetskiy Most for metro line 7 (travel time: 31 minutes) and station Teatralnaya for metro line 2 (travel time: 23 minutes). Metro station Kuznetskiy Most is a short distance from the world-famous Bolshoi Theatre. The total journey time is at least one hour. If the bus ends up in a traffic jam, the journey can take a lot longer.

Tickets for the subway priced 55 RUB are available from the ticket vending machines. You can also buy a day ticket (yediniy) for public transport in Moscow for 200 RUB, it is valid for 24 hours. During the night you can travel by bus H1 between the airport and the city every half hour. Please consult buses to and from Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport and  website Moscow Metro for more information.

“The metro stations with the most central location in Moscow are Okhotny Ryad (M1), Teatralnaya (M2) and Revolution Square (M3), at a short distance from Red Square, Kremlin and GUM.”

Discover and book tickets, activities and tours:

Prague: the best of mozart with opera and ballet.

Enjoy an evening in lavish style listening to a Concertino Prague Orchestra in the historical Smetana Hall. Relax as you listen to music by Mozart and marvel at the talented musicians and dancers.

Sydney: Kandinsky Exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW

Experience a showcase of the life and work of Kandinsky, one of the most influential and best-loved European modernists at the must-see Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Yerevan: Self-Guided Tour for your Audio Device with Map

Explore the city of Yerevan on a self-guided audio tour. Dive into sights like the Sculpture Park, Republic Square, and the Cascade staircase with facinating audio commentary.

Belgrade 20th century tour

Get to know history and architecture of turbulent period in Serbian development. The most important sights and attractions from the last century.

Budapest: Private Communism Walking Tour with Museum Entry

Learn about everyday life in Budapest during the days of communism, when people drove Trabant cars and drank spirits at work. Hear about the black market and the infamous queues to buy bananas, and visit sites where revolutionary action took place.

Evening Walking Yerevan City Tour with 3 Brandy & Gata

3 types of Armenian brandy and sweet pastry Gata you need to taste in Yerevan. Welcome to our city of sun! The largest and capital city of the Republic of Armenia is Yerevan-the city older than Rome.

Tours and transport

Behind the iron curtain of tallinn - secrets of the soviets.

Get to know the Soviet history of Tallin. Visit an abandoned Soviet air defense base and find out about the former border-zone areas in Tallinn.

Riga Highlights bike tour

Explore Riga's top sights on this guided bicycle tour. Get out of the Old Town and experience beautiful parks, the Jewish Ghetto, the fascinating Moscow suburb, and see the Art Nouveau district.

Warsaw: Private 3-Hour Tour by Car with Hotel Pickup

Discover the past and present of Warsaw on a private 3-hour tour. Learn more about the history of the city and its dynamic development. See the Royal Route, Łazienki Park, and palace complex.

★★★☆☆   2 reviews

Have you visited Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport lately? So far, 2 airport passengers have written an airport review about Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport. This airport has an average score of 3 out of 5. Provide other airport travellers with essential airport information and tell us about your airport experience.

Write a review

• Moscow Tours
• Customized tours
• Moscow for kids
• Evening activities
• Moscow evening activities
• St Petersburg evening activities
• Day trips out of Moscow
• Golden Ring tours
• St Petersburg tours
• Russian tour destinations
• Package tours
• Moscow highlights
• Travel Tips
• Upcoming group tours
• Moscow events

Moscow by metro

Metro tickets

Troika card is a universal data storage device that can record any kind of ticket from the valid list of ticketing options or be used to pay for a ride on the Moscow metro with the "Wallet ticket". The card itself costs 50 rubles (this amount is refunded in cash once you return the card to the ticket office). One Metro ride using this card will cost 40 rubs. You need to top up the balance in order to use it (the maximum amount is 3000 rub). The money is stored on the card for 5 years since the last replenishment.

The card can be also used to pay for the rides in the public transport of Moscow, in suburban trains, "Aeroexpress" trains, or to pay the entrance to the Moscow Zoo, Planetarium, and Tretyakov gallery.

How to ride the Moscow metro

Moscow Metro is easy to navigate. Most signs are in Russian and English. Below you can find some tips on how to find your way easily.  

1. Find the metro entrance

2. Get a ticket

You may also pay the fare by a bank card or using a smartphone via turnstile terminals installed at all stations of the Moscow metro.

3. Go through the turnstile.

4.find the right metro line..

5. Find the right track.

While waiting for the train you can check the current time. You can also see how many seconds ago the previous train left. Trains arrive every 1-2 minutes so there's no need to rush.  

6.Inside the train

However, it might still be useful to count the number of stops as some older trains do not have such interactive train routes.  

7. Change line if needed

8. Find the right exit

Useful tips

• Avoid rush hour if possible. The busiest hours in Moscow metro are 8 am – 9.30 am and 4 pm to 7.30 pm.
•  While following the brown-colored circular line (number 1) it is always better to enter the first or the last carriage. They are much less crowded (might even be empty at rush hour) compared to the central part of the train.
• Put all your valuable objects in a safe place. Pickpocketing is not that frequent but might happen sometimes.
• While using the escalator always stand on the right. The left side is used by people willing to go up or downstairs.
• You can use free wifi inside metro trains. However first-time users need to register and confirm a local phone number.
• Some of the metro stations have  WC. You can find detailed info here. You may pay with the same Troika card that you used to enter the metro
• Many central stations now have Live Help desks with English-speaking staff

We use cookies to improve your experience on our website, and to facilitate providing you with services available through our website. By continuing to use our website, you accept our use of cookies, the terms of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service . I agree

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser .

Moscow Travel Guide

• Guide to Russia
• Russian Destination Guide

Why travel to Moscow

Contrasts: 12th century monasteries and some of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe can be found side-by-side in this complex and captivating city. The diversity of this mega-city is astounding. Only a few steps away from the solemn red facade of the Kremlin and the sounds of righteous church bells, a buzzing night scene and alternative-fashion boutiques can be found.

Culture: In Moscow only the best goes. Be it a theatre, restaurant or gallery, the standards are certain to be world-class. The Bolshoi ballet company is reputed to be even better than the Mariinsky’s and “MMOMA” (Moscow’s museum of modern art) exhibits works of art as profound as any that could be found in the famed MOMA.

Convenience: Unlike the rest of Russia, it’s easy enough to get by with just English in Moscow and, driving excepted, it is surprisingly safe: the murder rate is lower than in some of America’s major cities.

Top Sights in Moscow

St. Basil’s

Novodevichy Convent

MORE SIGHTS

• Moscow Fact File
• History of Moscow Russia
• Arriving in Moscow
• Getting Around
• Moscow Museums
• Nightlife in Moscow
• Moscow Restaurants
• Moscow Entertainment
• Activities in Moscow
• Outside Moscow

FEATURED MOSCOW TOURS

See tours which enjoy highest popularity with our customers

CLASSIC MOSCOW

A WEEK IN MOSCOW

WEEKEND IN MOSCOW

View all tours

Why visit Moscow

It would take more than two days to walk around the perimeter of the biggest city in Europe, Moscow. Many of its inhabitants barely know what’s beyond the few blocks around their flat and there are so many attractions that it’s almost impossible to know where to start. If there is such a thing as an antidote to boredom, Moscow City is it. The mind-boggling range and diversity of things to do, places to eat, parks, historical monuments and more means that a vacation in Moscow has a wealth of activities to offer for every type of traveler, from young families to retirees.

Reasons to Vacation in Moscow in 2022

The Bolshoi theatre is familiar to almost everyone as Russia’s grandest theatre, but what people don’t know is that there are many more bolshoi (big) sites in Moscow that are worth travelling all the way to Moscow to see. For more than 100 years, the world’s biggest bell has been hidden behind the Kremlin’s walls and inside Moscow’s main park (which is bigger than some countries!) there is the world’s largest outdoor ice-rink. Travelers that visit Moscow can stay at the Izmailovo, Europe’s biggest hotel, then eat at the largest and most historic McDonald’s in Europe and after that have fun at the largest European indoor theme park!

Ancient Past & Stunning Architecture:

As those who travel to Moscow will see, just because Moscow is a city of record-breaking, glitzy high-rises doesn’t mean that there is no history. On the famous Arbat street, time-worn, wooden storehouses and century-old churches are squashed up against grey, soviet blocks which are then towered over by 21st century office-blocks. Unlike its much younger sibling, St Petersburg, Moscow’s roots stretch way back to the 12th century. Within the walls of the Kremlin, the city’s oldest building the Cathedral of Assumption can be admired in all its 500+ years of age.

Culture & Convenience

For a foreigner who has never visited Russia, Moscow is the perfect stepping stone into this great land of mystery. From the country’s best classical ballet troupes to snow-white troikas trotting through the parks, all the highlights of Russian culture can be had in Moscow without any of the complications that would be expected in other, less developed regions of Russia.

Cheap as Caviar

In Moscow, everything is bargain when with the current foreign exchange rates being what they are. Even caviar doesn’t seem so dear when the exchange rate is at 60rub to the dollar, so go on indulge yourself! Take your 2022 vacation in Moscow and have the best of both worlds, with European luxury at very affordable prices.

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

We had a great time both in Moscow and St Petersburg. Your travel agency was excellent in coordinating the whole trip. Everything worked like clockwork. The guides assigned to us were very nice and friendly. They had a great knowledge of their subjects. The cars and the drivers were great. The hotels were good and the itinerary was good. All in all, it was a wonderful experience. It was nice dealing with you and your company. Thank you very much for a great Russian experience. Have a great future ahead

• 31 reviews of Express to Russia Moscow Tours in Moscow

Our travel brands include

Express to Russia

Join us on Facebook

We invite you to become a fan of our company on Facebook and read Russian news and travel stories. To become a fan, click here .

Join our own Russian Travel, Culture and Literature Club on Facebook. The club was created to be a place for everyone with an interest in Russia to get to know each other and share experiences, stories, pictures and advice. To join our club, please follow this link .

We use cookies to improve your experience on our Website, and to facilitate providing you with services available through our Website. To opt out of non-essential cookies, please click here . By continuing to use our Website, you accept our use of cookies, the terms of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service . I agree