Lyon — France's third-largest city — sits at the meeting of two rivers, the Rhône and the Saône. Known as the country's gastronomic capital, it boasts a UNESCO World Heritage old town and a lively cultural scene. Let's see how to reach Lyon from Tbilisi and what to see there.
✈️ Flights from Tbilisi
- There's no direct Tbilisi-Lyon flight — you travel with a connection via Istanbul, Paris or Munich
- Total duration including the layover — roughly 7-11 hours
- Ticket price: $240-480 round trip, depending on the season
- Airport: Lyon–Saint-Exupéry (LYS), ~25 km from the center; the Rhônexpress tram reaches the center in ~30 minutes
- Travel365's price calendar — find the cheapest dates
🛂 Visa and entry
France is a member of the Schengen area, so Georgian citizens need a Schengen visa. A type C tourist visa allows up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Prepare your documents at least 4-6 weeks ahead and don't forget travel insurance with at least €30,000 of coverage — it's mandatory for a Schengen visa. Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity.
From Lyon–Saint-Exupéry to the center: the Rhônexpress tram takes ~30 min for ~$16 (one way); a taxi is ~$55-75. The tram is faster and more predictable during rush hour.
🏛️ Top attractions
- Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière — a basilica on the hill with a sweeping view over the whole city
- Vieux Lyon — the Renaissance old town and its famous 'traboules' (hidden passageways)
- Presqu'île — the central peninsula with shops and the grand Place Bellecour
- Parc de la Tête d'Or — a large city park with a lake and a free zoo
- Musée des Confluences — a modern science and anthropology museum
- Croix-Rousse — the hillside district with a history of silk weaving
💰 Budget
- Hotel: 3★ $80-140/night || 4★ $150-240/night
- Food: a traditional 'bouchon' lunch $16-26; a restaurant $33-60
- Transport: a single TCL ticket ≈$2, a day pass ≈$7
- Rhônexpress tram to the airport: ≈$16 one way
- Museums: many sights are cheaper with the Lyon City Card
🗓️ Best season and gastronomy
May-June and September-October are the best seasons: pleasant weather and fewer crowds. December brings the famous Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights), when the city glows with millions of lights — beautiful, though a busy period.
Lyon is a city for food lovers: try the local cuisine at a traditional 'bouchon'. For internet, get an eSIM in advance so you're online the moment you land. Lyon is often combined into one trip with Nice or Marseille — southern France's high-speed train (TGV) links these cities in a few hours.
Plan your visit in the shoulder season — both flights and hotels are cheaper. Compare flights on Travel365's price calendar.
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