Is Lyon Expensive?

Is Lyon expensive to visit?

Lyon is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $177. Compared to the rest of Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of cities in Europe for its travel costs, comparable to places like Akureyri and Uppsala.



Lyon, France, as viewed from the Saone River

How expensive is Lyon?

On average, visitors spend about $177 per day when visiting Lyon (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $354 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Lyon here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Lyon?

A weekend trip to Lyon costs about $530 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $1,061.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Lyon?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Lyon costs around $1,237 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $2,475.

Is it expensive to backpack in Lyon?

Lyon is a fairly popular backpacker destination with more than 9 hostels around town. Dorm beds in hostels cost around $28 per night on average. There's a wide range in prices though, with the cheapest beds costing about $24 and the most expensive dorm beds costing around $37. (See hostel prices in Lyon here.)

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Lyon.

  • $34 for a dorm bed at Slo Lyon les Pentes
  • $37 for a dorm bed at Slo Lyon Saxe
  • $30 for a dorm bed at Le Flâneur Guesthouse

Are hotels expensive in Lyon?

Considering our analysis of hotel prices in Lyon, it becomes apparent that they are somewhat more affordable in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $92 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately 10 five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of $148 per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $98 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $73 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Lyon
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 10 $148
4 stars 43 $96
3 stars 80 $98
2 stars 38 $73
1 star 28 $114
No rating 4 $80

4 Rue Jussieu, Lyon
Overall Rating 8.7
22, Rue Du Boeuf, Lyon
Overall Rating 8.6

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Lyon?

Activities and things to do in Lyon can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $23 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $36.


Name Price
Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) Free
The Musée des Arts de la Marionnette €8
The Confluences Museum €12
The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière Free
The Cinema and Miniature Museum €17
The Lyon Aquarium €18
The Lyon Cathedral Free
The Parc de la Tête d'Or Free
The Halles Paul Bocuse Food Market Free
Théâtre Gallo Romain de Lyon-Fourvière Free
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon €8

  • Private guided tour of Lyon - 3 to 4 hours: $227
  • The Lyon French Tour Night! Live Lyon style : $96
  • E-bike Tour by ComhiC - 3h The Great eBike Tour: $63
  • Discover Lyon through its hills : Private Tour: $102
  • Bike Tour by ComhiC - 2h Heading to Tête d'Or Park: $34
  • Lyon Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.47
  • Lyon Private Guided Tour with a professional tour guide: $181
  • Beaujolais Crus Wines & Castles (9:00 am - 1:30 pm) - Small Group Tour from Lyon: $125

Is food expensive in Lyon?

Food in Lyon can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $81 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $81. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

  • Croix Rousse Market & Rooftop Cooking Class in Lyon: $182
  • Market Tour, Cooking Class & Lunch with Chef in Lyon Studio: $291
  • Private Food Tour Halles of Lyon Paul Bocuse: $227
  • Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse Food Tour: $261
  • Lyon Sunset Food Tour – A Full Taste of France by Do Eat Better: $101
  • Elegant 5-Course Rooftop Dinner with Panoramic Views of Lyon: $165

Is transportation expensive in Lyon?

The prices of local transportation in Lyon can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $19 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $34. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

More for Lyon

If you're planning a trip to Lyon, France, check out these other informative travel guides.



We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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