Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (IATA: LYS, ICAO: LFLL) serves Colombier-Saugnieu, Rhône, FR. It has 256 scheduled routes to 140 destinations in 45 countries, operated by 73 airlines.
- Modern Design and Architecture: The airport, particularly Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, is often described as modern, well-designed, and seamless, with a striking futuristic Lyon Saint-Exupéry TGV train station connected by an elevated walkway.
- Cleanliness: Terminals 1 and 2, along with their toilets, are generally noted for being spotlessly clean.
- Transportation Connections: The Rhônexpress tramway provides a fast (approx. 30 minutes) and convenient direct connection to Lyon Part-Dieu in central Lyon, running frequently. The TGV train station at the airport offers high-speed rail links to numerous cities in France and Italy. Public bus lines also offer a more affordable alternative.
- Wi-Fi and Basic Amenities: Travelers appreciate the availability of free and fast Wi-Fi throughout the airport. Terminal 1 offers comfortable seating, charging points, and dedicated rest areas for overnight stays.
- Shopping and Dining (Main Terminals): There are good selections of shops, duty-free stores, and diverse dining options, particularly in Terminal 1.
- Security and Passport Control Wait Times: This is the most prevalent and significant complaint. Travelers consistently report "extremely slow" and "horrendous" queues at both security and passport/border control, often exceeding 45 minutes to over an hour. Many have reported missing flights or nearly missing them due to these delays. Some reports from July 2024 mention improved border control times due to facial recognition, but these are contradicted by very recent traveler experiences from late 2024 and 2025.
- Staff Attitude and Inefficiency: Numerous reviews describe airport and security staff as "rude," "unhelpful," "indifferent," and "inefficient". There are frequent complaints about a lack of staff at checkpoints and poor organization leading to bottlenecks.
- Terminal Facilities and Seating Shortages: Especially in Terminal 3 (often used by low-cost carriers), facilities are criticized for being "terrible," "dirty," "smelly," and having inadequate seating and limited food/drink options. Even in other terminals, a general shortage of seating in waiting areas is noted.
- Expensive Rhônexpress: While convenient, the Rhônexpress tram is frequently cited as being "quite expensive".
- Poor Signage and Car Rental Experience: Some travelers report poor or confusing signage, particularly when navigating to and from car rental drop-off, which can be a long walk from the terminal.
Bottom line: While Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport boasts modern infrastructure and good transportation links, the overwhelming negative feedback regarding security, passport control wait times, and staff performance suggests that operational efficiency and passenger experience are significant and ongoing issues, particularly in peak periods. Travelers are advised to allocate ample time for pre-flight processes, especially immigration and security.
New & changed departures
4 changes to LYS's schedule in the last 90 days.
Want the next one in your inbox?Track LYS and we'll email you every schedule change automatically.
Track all changesRoutes from LYS
140 nonstop destinations · 73 airlines.
Airlines at LYS
73 carriers operate scheduled departures.
Route Network Map
Search flights from LYS
Compare ticket prices across hundreds of booking sites
Search flights from LYSOpens a live price search from LYS — just pick your destination & dates
Airport routes
Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS) offers 256 flight routes operated by 73 airlines. Major carriers include easyJet, Transavia France, Volotea and others. Popular destinations from Colombier-Saugnieu, Rhône include Amsterdam Schiphol, Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, Charles de Gaulle/Roissy, Toulouse-Blagnac, Frankfurt Int'l.
Traveler reviews & tips
From people who've recently flown through Colombier-Saugnieu, Rhône.
No tips for LYS yet — be the first to help fellow travelers.
Share your tip or review
Help fellow travelers at Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport. Tips are reviewed before publishing.
Common questions about LYS
Quick answers, straight from the schedule data.
How many destinations have nonstop flights from LYS?
Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport has 256 scheduled routes to 140 destinations in 45 countries, operated by 73 airlines.
Which airlines fly from Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport?
73 carriers operate scheduled departures, including easyJet, Transavia France, Volotea.
Where is Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport located?
Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport is located in Colombier-Saugnieu, Rhône, FR, at an elevation of 821 ft. Its IATA code is LYS and ICAO code is LFLL.