How to find a cheap car hire deal in Lyon (LYS)
Whether you need a small car for scooting around the city or a bigger ride for the open road, we'll help you find a cheap Lyon rental car. Pick from options averaging £123 a day and get going for less.
Daily rental prices at Lyon start from just £19.
Staying on in Lyon for a while? Grab a weekly rental from £128 and make room for more adventures.
Timing makes all the difference when it comes to finding a cheap LYS car hire. Book about three weeks before your trip to land the best price.
At Lyon, you can choose from leading rental brands such as Rentscape, Alamo and OK Mobility.
The coverage Rentscape or another company offers for your Lyon car hire can differ, so be sure to check the fine print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will apply a surcharge for it.
Booking one-way could save you cash on your car hire. Providers sometimes offer lower prices when vehicles need to be moved around. Simply click 'Return car to a different location' when searching for a car for hire in LYS.
Avoid any surprise charges by booking a car hire in Lyon with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Begin and end your trip with a full tank, and only pay for what you actually use.
Roam without limits by choosing a rental with 'Unlimited mileage.' Located under the 'Policies' filter, these rides let you go as far as you like with no extra cost.
Best value car hire options right now
You'll get the best value with this company. Prices average £49 a day.
Not far behind, this provider offers daily rates of around £63.
The third option also stays competitive on price. Pick up one of their rentals for roughly £100 a day.
Want a car that's the reliable option for most getaways? The Compact rental category is the crowd favourite among travellers at LYS.
Compare car hire types from Lyon (LYS)
Small: Whether you're darting along city streets or just planning a quick trip, this cheap Lyon rental car category offers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can expect easy handling and excellent fuel efficiency.
Medium: A reliable pick when you want something that's easy to drive but with a few more features. This category covers compact and intermediate models that offer a bit of extra room compared to smaller cars.
Large: Long drives are effortless in this LYS car hire category. Also known as full-size, they've got the engine power for lengthy trips. The extra space and comfort make them a top choice for families and groups of friends.
SUV: When wanderlust strikes, an SUV is ready to roll. It's your perfect road trip buddy, ready for highways, backroads, and everything in between. These sports utility vehicles also come with extra space and advanced safety features.
Van: Featuring options like commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Lyon makes short work of heavy loads and large groups. They're roomy, reliable, and built to take on any task.
Insurance and optional extras
Excess insurance covers what you'd otherwise have to pay if your LYS car hire is stolen or damaged. While not compulsory, it helps cover you in a tough spot. Just remember that not all insurance policies are the same, so make sure you know exactly what's offered.
Make driving easier when you rent a car in Lyon by adding some nifty extras. Think things like a navigation system to keep your trip on track, or reverse cameras that upgrade your parking game.
Good to know
The minimum age to rent a vehicle in France is typically 21 years old. However some providers make their own rules, so always double-check your rental company's policy to know where you stand.
If you've got the kids in tow, check if you need to add a car seat to your LYS car hire reservation. Whether required by local laws or not, they're always the safest way for little ones to ride.
Bring the right documents to make pick-up as quick as possible. You'll generally need your physical driver's licence (no screenshots) and another form of photo ID. Also bring a credit card with enough available balance to cover the deposit. If anything else is expected, it'll be listed in your booking.
For first-time drivers in France, keep in mind that traffic here keeps to the right side of the road.
Keep within local speed limits of about 45kph (30mph) in urban areas and around 125kph (80mph) on highways. Road signs will show if a different limit applies.
A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.05% applies in France. The most reliable way to be safe to drive is to avoid drinking completely.
You'll be using the euro (EUR) on your trip here. As well as your credit and debit cards, consider having some cash handy for smaller purchases.
Drive smarter from the start
Once you've collected the keys to your LYS car hire, it's time to create your own itinerary. Central Lyon is about 26 kms (16 miles) west and a drive of around 30 minutes if that's your first stop.
In rush hour, expect the drive from Lyon to the centre to take up to 1 hour 5 minutes.
One of the busiest times to be out on the roads in this destination is around 8am. Make life easier by steering clear of rush hours in general.
You can also grab a car hire in Lyon. If you don't need a ride right away, wait until you're in the city and save on rental costs.
Hit the road: Where to drive from Lyon (LYS)
Before you go anywhere else, get in some sightseeing around Lyon first. Highlights such as Fête Des Lumières and Lyon Old Town are a great opening act for your trip.
Grenoble has to be on your itinerary if you'd like to see Cathedral of Notre Dame and Basilique du Sacré-Coeur. This city is around 80 kms (50 miles) southeast of LYS.
Alternatively, jump into your Lyon car hire and head roughly 88 kms (55 miles) south to Valence. Featuring Musee de Valence, Art & Archeologie and Cathédrale Saint-Apollinaire, its attractions are worth the drive.
Not ready to hit the brakes just yet? Take off to Montpellier, around 257 kms (160 miles) southwest of LYS. From Arc de Triomphe to Cathedrale St-Pierre, it's the grand finale your trip deserves.
