Fastest way from Nantes to Lyon: Flight, about 1h 15min – 1h 38min (from €41). Cheapest: Bus, from €25 (about 10h 15min – 12h 50min). Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 12, 2026): Air France, FlixBus, EasyJet Europe; main departure point: Nantes Airport.
There are 2 ways to get from Nantes to Lyon
Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.
Companies selling this route on 12Go
Offers listed on 12Go on November 12, 2026 for a departure on December 3, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.
| Company | Mode | Departs from | From | Offers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blablacar Bus | Bus | Nantes Europe Boulevard | €25 | 2 |
| FlixBus | Bus | Nantes Boulevard de l Europe | €28 | 4 |
| EasyJet | Flight | Nantes Airport | €41 | 2 |
| EasyJet Europe | Flight | Nantes Airport | €43 | 4 |
| Air France | Flight | Nantes Airport | €196 | 21 |
| Daytrip private transfer with English speaking driver | Van / transfer | €1228 | 4 |
Activate an eSIM before you go: internet the moment you land, no SIM to swap, zero roaming fees.
Practical tips
Open the comparison table and look at duration and price side by side. The plane is not always as fast as it looks once you add the trip to the airport, and the bus is not always the more tiring choice.
The lowest bus fares go first, especially on weekends and during school holidays. Book as soon as your dates are fixed so you do not end up paying more for a journey that is still a long one.
Read your e-ticket carefully: it states whether you leave from a bus station, a city stop or the airport. Locate the address the day before so you do not go to the wrong place on departure day.
If you fly, factor in getting to the airport, check-in and security. On arrival, also plan the trip from Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airport into the city centre. These steps are part of the real cost of the flight.
Some flight offers may include a stopover. If so, leave a comfortable margin between the two flights and keep your e-ticket handy so you do not miss your connection.
The journey experience
Nantes to Lyon is a long diagonal across France, and without a car it helps to know what to expect right away. You have two options: the bus, built for tight budgets, and the plane, which saves time but whose fares vary a lot depending on the date. The table on this page puts durations and price ranges side by side so you can decide quickly.
The long-distance bus is the cheapest option: reclining seats, luggage in the hold, power sockets and wifi depending on the operator, and an e-ticket delivered instantly. It suits you well if your schedule is flexible. The plane links Nantes Atlantique airport to Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airport: it is handy for saving a day, but you need to plan getting to the airport at both ends, going through security, and, depending on the offer, a possible stopover.
Our advice: if price matters most, book the bus ahead of time; if your time is precious, compare flights while factoring in the trip to the airport. Always check the exact departure and arrival point on your ticket (bus station, stop or airport) and keep a safety margin before any connection. That way you will know exactly where to go.
Frequently asked questions — Nantes → Lyon
It depends on your priority. The bus is the cheapest, with tickets from €25, but the journey is long, around 10 to 13 hours. The plane is much faster, from 1 h 15 to 1 h 40 depending on the offer, but its price varies more, from €41. If budget matters most, choose the bus; if time matters most, the plane.
By bus, tickets start from €25 and typically go up to €31. By plane, prices start from €41 and can reach up to €281 depending on the date and when you book. The bus is therefore the most stable and cheapest option, especially when booked in advance.
By bus, allow around 10 to 13 hours depending on the schedule and stops. By plane, the duration ranges from 1 h 15 to 1 h 40 depending on the offer you choose. Remember to add the trip to the airport, check-in and security to the flight time to get a realistic idea of the total.
The departure and arrival points depend on the offer you choose. By plane, you leave from Nantes Atlantique airport and arrive at Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airport. By bus, the exact stop is shown on your e-ticket: check it before you travel, as it may be a bus station or a city stop.
It varies by offer. The details of each option show whether it is a direct journey or involves a change. By plane, the gap in duration, from 1 h 15 to 1 h 40, suggests that some options include a stopover. Always check the details before booking so you can plan your connections.
Why visit Lyon?
- ✓ Wander through the lanes and traboules (hidden passageways) of Vieux Lyon, a UNESCO-listed Renaissance district
- ✓ Enjoy authentic Lyonnaise cuisine in a traditional bouchon (quenelles, brioche sausage, tablier de sapeur)
- ✓ Climb to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière for a 360° view of the city and the Alps
- ✓ Discover the giant Mur des Canuts murals and the historic silk workshops of Croix-Rousse
- ✓ Stock up on local delicacies at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, a temple of gastronomy
When to visit Lyon?
TEMPERATE SEMI-CONTINENTAL CLIMATE
April to June and September to October — mild temperatures, sunny days and little rain, ideal for walking
What to do in Lyon?
Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you
How long to visit Lyon?
Plan 2 to 3 days in Lyon: Old Lyon, Fourvière hill, the Presqu'île and the traboules can be covered in 2 days. With one extra day, add the Croix-Rousse, the Confluence district, Halles Paul Bocuse and lunch in a traditional bouchon. Book restaurant tables in advance and use the metro and the funicular to get up to Fourvière.
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