Is Lyon expensive to visit?
Lyon is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $170. 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 Bordeaux and Pisa.

Lyon, France, as viewed from the Saone River
How expensive is Lyon?
On average, visitors spend about $170 per day when visiting Lyon (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $340 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 $510 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 $1,019.
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 $1,189 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $2,378.
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 $26 per night on average. There's a wide range in prices though, with the cheapest beds costing about $21 and the most expensive dorm beds costing around $32. (See hostel prices in Lyon here.)
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Lyon.
- $30 for a dorm bed at Slo Lyon les Pentes
- $32 for a dorm bed at Slo Lyon Saxe
- $28 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 |
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 $22 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $37.
Name | Price | |
---|---|---|
The Musée des Arts de la Marionnette | €8 | more info |
The Confluences Museum | €12 | more info |
Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) | Free | more info |
The Cinema and Miniature Museum | €17 | more info |
The Lyon Aquarium | €18 | more info |
The Lyon Cathedral | Free | more info |
The Parc de la Tête d'Or | Free | more info |
The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière | Free | more info |
The Halles Paul Bocuse Food Market | Free | more info |
Théâtre Gallo Romain de Lyon-Fourvière | Free | more info |
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon | €8 | more info |
- Private guided tour of Lyon - 3 to 4 hours: $215
- Guided Walking Tour in Lyon: $28
- Half-Day Guided Tour with Tasting of Beaujolais Wines: $106
- The Lyon French Tour Night! Live Lyon style : $91
- Discover Lyon through its hills : Private Tour: $97
- Great Bike Tour of Lyon - 3h: $52
- Silk Tour in Lyon: $230
- 3-Hour Gourmet Tour of the Presqu’île in Lyon: $64
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 $78 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $77. 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: $155
- Lyon Exclusive Small Group Best Bakeries and Pastries Food Tour: $96
- Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse Food Tour: $245
- Lyon Evening Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $113
- Lyon Street Food Tour : $64
- Lyon Old Town Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch: $91
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 $33. 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.