How to travel from Lyon to Besançon, France

The distance between Lyon and Besançon is around 214km (133 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 2h 20m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Lyon to Besançon 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 BesançonLyon if you're planning a return trip.

1
train
+

Train

Take the train to Besancon Viotte.

  • Duration2h 45m
  • Departs4 times a day
  • Typical cost
    €35($35)
Operated bySNCF+ 1 others
2
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Besançon.

  • 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 Besançon.

  • Duration2h 20m
  • Distance250km (156 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Lyon and Besançon

There are several options for getting from Lyon to Besançon by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around €13 ($13) and will take around 4h 5m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 2h 20m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately €45 ($45).

The distance between Lyon and Besançon is around 214km (133 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 188km (117 miles)

It takes around 2h 45m to get from Lyon and Besançon by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 20m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Lyon to Besançon is to drive which takes around 2h 20m and will set you back approx €45 ($45).

The cheapest way to travel between Lyon and Besançon, 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 Lyon and Besançon. It typically takes around 2h 45m and departs 4 times a day.

Yes there is a direct train service that runs between Lyon and Besançon with no changeovers required. The train runs 4 times a day and takes 2h 45m.

SNCF and Swiss Railways run train services between Lyon and Besançon. Trains depart 4 times a day and will take around 2h 45m, 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 Lyon and Besançon. It typically takes around 3hrs and departs every 20 mins.

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

FlixBus and Blablabus run regular bus services between Lyon and Besançon. 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 Lyon to Besançon. We recommend that you take the train to Besancon Viotte. instead which will take 2h 45m.

The closest major airport to Besançon is Dole-Jura Airport (DLE) (DLE) which is approximately 50km (31 miles) from Besançon. EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) (BSL) and Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) (LYS) 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 Lyon and Besançon. The distance is around 250km (156 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 20m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Lyon to Besançon is to take the train which takes, on average, 2h 45m and will usually cost around €35 ($35).

How do I get from Lyon to Besançon

Compare travel optionsbetween Lyon and Besançon

Transport options from Lyon to Besançon
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
2h 45m
€35($35)
4 times a day214km (133 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
3hrs
€16($16)
5 times a day256km (159 miles)
Bus to Besançon4h 5m
€13($13)
once daily255km (158 miles)
Drive
2h 20m
€45($45)
on demand250km (156 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Lyon and Besançon

Train operators

Airports near Besançon

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

DLE
Dole-Jura Airport (DLE)
Domestic Airport
Distance
50km (31 miles) from Besançon
BSL
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL)
International Airport
Distance
120km (75 miles) from Besançon
LYS
Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS)
International Airport
Distance
183km (114 miles) from Besançon