Hop-on hop-off bus in Lyon: route, stops and the Lyon City Card
4 min read
The answer first
The hop-on hop-off bus is worth it if you want to reach Fourvière hill without climbing it and to see the city in one loop. It costs €25 for a 1-day ticket, with a 2-day pass also on offer, and is rated 4.1/5 from 1,946 reviews. If you plan to use the metro and visit several museums, the Lyon City Card (€32) may suit you better.
The bus
It is an open-top double-decker with eight stops. According to the booking page, the main departure is 15 Place Bellecour, and the others are:
- Terreaux (21 rue d’Algérie)
- Palais de Justice (outbound, 2 Quai des Célestins)
- Vieux Lyon (6 rue Adolphe Max)
- Théâtres Gallo-Romains (6 rue de l’Antiquaille)
- Fourvière (3 Place de Fourvière)
- Mur Peint (opposite 49 Quai St Vincent)
- the return to Place Bellecour
The commentary comes through a free smartphone app, in 12 languages, and the page says to bring your own earphones. One reviewer says their earphones did not work and that they had to play it on speaker, which bothered other passengers, so test the app before you board. The page lists the bus as wheelchair accessible (confirm with the operator before you go) and offers a 1-day or a 2-day ticket.
The Lyon City Card
The booking page lists unlimited metro, tram, bus and funicular rides, 26 museums (the Musée des Confluences among them), a cruise on the Saône (March to November), guided walking tours and discounts. Public transport is included for 24, 48, 72 or 96 hours from first validation (except on 1 May), and the card is activated at its first use, not at collection. Junior cards for ages 4 to 15 and student rates are available, each card is valid for one person, and guided tours and activities must be booked at the tourist office on the day you collect the card. Some attractions close on certain days, so check schedules. The card’s page also lists the Lyon City Bus as included from 1 November to 31 March; the rest of the year it appears under discounts. In winter, check whether the card already covers the bus before you buy both.
Side by side
| Hop-on hop-off bus | Lyon City Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | €25 | €32 |
| What you get | Loop with 8 stops, audio app | Transport, museums, cruise, walks (see page) |
| Good for | Seeing the whole city, reaching Fourvière | Several museums and daily transport |
When the bus is the wrong choice
- Short stay: if you only have a couple of hours, a one-hour boat trip is the quicker overview.
- The traboules: the bus stops at Vieux Lyon, but the passages are walked; see Vieux Lyon and the traboules.
Our recommendation
For most first-time visitors with one or two days: the bus, plus Fourvière on foot. Choose the City Card if you will use public transport and several of the included museums: add up the entry fees you would otherwise pay and compare them with the card price. See all things to do in Lyon.
