Getting around Lyon with TCL: a modern, convenient and accessible network
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Lyon is a dynamic, welcoming city that is perfectly connected thanks to its public transport network, TCL (Transports en Commun Lyonnais).
Whether you are a student, visitor or newcomer, understanding how transport works in Lyon is essential to fully enjoy the city.
An efficient network
The TCL network is one of the most efficient in France. It includes:
- 4 fast, underground metro lines,
- 7 modern, accessible tram lines,
- 2 funicular railways climbing the Fourvière hill,
- More than 130 bus and trolleybus lines connecting all neighbourhoods and neighbouring municipalities.
And since 2025, Navigône, a river shuttle on the Saône connecting the Confluence and Vaise neighbourhoods, offering a pleasant and original way to cross the city.
Passes tailored to everyone’s needs
TCL offers a wide range of monthly and annual passes for all types of users: students, working people, families, senior citizens, etc.
These passes allow unlimited travel on all lines: metro, tram, bus, funicular and river shuttle.
Ideal for international students and Alliance Française learners!
Where can I purchase a pass and how do I pay?
There are several options available for purchasing a TCL pass. You can visit a TCL agency (notably at Bellecour, Part-Dieu, Gorge de Loup or Grange Blanche), where advisors will help you choose the option best suited to your situation. You can also create or top up your pass online on the official website www.tcl.fr, or via the TCL E-Ticket app, available on smartphones.
Payment can be made by credit card, monthly direct debit, or in a single payment for annual passes. For occasional journeys, you can buy a ticket from ticket machines at stations or directly on board certain buses (cash only). You can also validate your journey with a contactless credit card, which is a quick and convenient solution.
Other ways to get around
The Vélo’v service allows you to borrow a self-service bicycle 24 hours a day, ideal for short trips or city rides. Numerous electric scooters, also self-service, are available in different districts of Lyon.
Finally, walking remains a pleasant way to explore the city, particularly its historic districts such as Vieux Lyon, the slopes of Croix-Rousse, and the banks of the Saône and Rhône rivers.
An ideal solution for Alliance Française learners!
For students at the Alliance Française in Lyon, using the TCL network is an economical, safe and convenient solution for everyday life. It makes it easy to get to class, take part in cultural outings and explore the many facets of the city.
It is also an excellent way to gain independence while practising French on a daily basis: reading signs, asking for directions, understanding announcements… transport thus becomes a living learning space!
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