How to travel from Besançon to Lyon, France

The distance between Besançon and Lyon is around 231km (144 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 2h 25m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Besançon to Lyon by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out LyonBesançon if you're planning a return trip.

1
train
+

Train

Take the train to Lyon Part Dieu.

  • Duration2h 40m
  • Departs4 times a day
  • Typical cost
    €35($35)
Operated bySNCF+ 1 others
2
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Lyon Perrache.

  • Duration3hrs
  • Departs5 times a day
  • Typical cost
    €16($16)

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

🚀 Fastest
3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Lyon.

  • Duration2h 25m
  • Distance252km (156 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Besançon and Lyon

There are several options for getting from Besançon to Lyon by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around €13 ($13) and will take around 4hrs. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 2h 25m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately €46 ($46).

The distance between Besançon and Lyon is around 231km (144 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 188km (117 miles)

It takes around 2h 40m to get from Besançon and Lyon by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 25m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Besançon to Lyon is to drive which takes around 2h 25m and will set you back approx €46 ($46).

The cheapest way to travel between Besançon and Lyon, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around €13 ($13) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Besançon and Lyon. It typically takes around 2h 40m and departs 4 times a day.

Yes there is a direct train service that runs between Besançon and Lyon with no changeovers required. The train runs 4 times a day and takes 2h 40m.

SNCF and Swiss Railways run train services between Besançon and Lyon. Trains depart 4 times a day and will take around 2h 40m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Besançon and Lyon. It typically takes around 3hrs and departs every 20 mins.

Yes there is a direct bus service that runs between Besançon and Lyon with no changeovers required. The bus runs every 20 mins and takes 3hrs.

FlixBus and Blablabus run regular bus services between Besançon and Lyon. Buses run every 20 mins and take around 3hrs on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Besançon to Lyon. We recommend that you take the train to Lyon Part Dieu. instead which will take 2h 40m.

The closest major airport to Lyon is Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) (LYS) which is approximately 20km (12 miles) from Lyon. Dole-Jura Airport (DLE) (DLE) and Aurillac Airport (AUR) (AUR) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Besançon and Lyon. The distance is around 252km (156 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 25m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Besançon to Lyon is to take the train which takes, on average, 2h 40m and will usually cost around €35 ($35).

How do I get from Besançon to Lyon

Compare travel optionsbetween Besançon and Lyon

Transport options from Besançon to Lyon
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
2h 40m
€35($35)
4 times a day231km (144 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
3hrs
€16($16)
5 times a day255km (159 miles)
Bus to Lyon - Perrache Bus Station4hrs
€13($13)
once daily256km (159 miles)
Drive
2h 25m
€46($46)
on demand252km (156 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Besançon and Lyon

Train operators

Airports near Lyon

The following major airports near Lyon offer regular flights to various popular destinations within France and internationally.

LYS
Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS)
International Airport
Distance
20km (12 miles) from Lyon
DLE
Dole-Jura Airport (DLE)
Domestic Airport
Distance
150km (93 miles) from Lyon
AUR
Aurillac Airport (AUR)
Domestic Airport
Distance
212km (131 miles) from Lyon