Lyon car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Lyon
The best car rental companies in Lyon are Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise. Prices start from €30/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 14%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Lyon
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Europcar
Local favouriteFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#2
Sixt
Editor's pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#3
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€33/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€34/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€28/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€28/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-05 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Lyon
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €30 | Renault Clio | 5 |
| Compact | €36 | Peugeot 308 | 5 |
| SUV | €53 | Peugeot 3008 | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €70 | Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer | 7 |
| Luxury | €96 | Mercedes E-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Lyon
Airport — Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS)
Rental desks are in the arrivals hall of the main terminal. LYS is a modern, compact airport — a 5-minute walk from baggage claim.
Downtown — Lyon City Centre / Part-Dieu
Pick-up points near Lyon Part-Dieu train station and the Presqu'île. Lyon's historic Vieux-Lyon has a pedestrian zone.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~14% of base rate | Airport pickups at LYS |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €20–38/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €8–13/day | Per extra driver |
| Autoroute tolls | ~€0.08–0.12/km | A6 to Paris (~€35), A7 to Marseille (~€25) |
| One-way fee | €40–120 | Different drop-off within France |
| GPS/nav device | €8–12/day | Optional; recommended for Beaujolais country roads |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Lyon
- Drive on the right; most French rentals are manual — request automatic in advance and expect a surcharge.
- Lyon is France's gastronomic capital — a car lets you explore Beaujolais wine villages (30m north), the Rhône Valley (south to Valence), and Beaune in Burgundy (1.5h north).
- French motorways charge péage tolls — take a ticket at the barrier and pay by card at the exit. Lyon→Paris (A6) is about €35; Lyon→Marseille (A7) about €25.
- Minimum age is 21; young-driver surcharge under 25. France requires an IDP for licences issued outside the EU in a non-Latin alphabet.
- Lyon has a Crit'Air low-emission zone (ZFE) covering the city centre on weekdays. Rental cars carry the appropriate sticker; check the zone map before driving in.
- The historic Vieux-Lyon (old town) and Presqu'île areas have restricted access and very limited parking. Use a park-and-ride (Parc-Relais) and the metro.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Lyon
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Lyon?
You must be at least 21 with at least one year of licence. Drivers 21–24 pay a young-driver surcharge of €20–38/day — one of France's higher rates due to the urban market.
Can I take day trips to the Beaujolais wine region?
Absolutely — the Beaujolais villages (Beaujeu, Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent) are 30–60 minutes north on quiet country roads. This is one of the great pleasures of renting a car in Lyon.
How do I drive on French autoroutes?
Take a ticket at the on-ramp, then pay by credit card at the exit barrier based on distance. The A6 north to Paris costs about €35; the A7 south to Marseille about €25. Allow extra time for busy July–August periods.
Is Lyon a good base for Burgundy and Rhône wines?
Yes — Côte du Rhône starts just 30km south; Beaujolais is 30km north; Burgundy (Mâcon, Beaune) is 1.5h north on the A6. Lyon is arguably the best wine-road base in France.
What is the cheapest car type in Lyon?
Economy cars (e.g. Renault Clio) start around €30/day. Prices are competitive but slightly above Faro or Málaga due to higher urban demand.
Nearby trips
