Route guide

Lyon → Salzburg

665 km · France to Austria · Fastest: 3h by flight · Cheapest: €26+ by bus

How to travel from Lyon to Salzburg

There are 4 ways to travel between Lyon and Salzburg — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€55–160

Duration: 5h 33m

via SNCF (TGV), Intercités, ÖBB (Railjet)

~9.0 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€26–67

Duration: 9h 30m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~19 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€62–200

Duration: 3h 23m

via Ryanair, easyJet, Air France, Austrian Airlines

~104 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€80–146

Duration: 7h 24m

~113 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Lyon and Salzburg highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 665 km this is a comfortable weekend trip — train or flight both work.
Both train and flight options exist. Trains often beat flights door-to-door under 600 km once you count airport overhead.
This route crosses from France into Austria. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Lyon to Salzburg — every option in detail

Lyon to Salzburg by train

Trains link Lyon (France) and Salzburg (Austria) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 5h 33m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include SNCF (TGV), Intercités, ÖBB (Railjet).

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €55 to €160. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 9.0 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 104 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~95 kg on this distance.

Lyon to Salzburg by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Lyon and Salzburg with a typical journey of 9h 30m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €26 when booked in advance, rising to €67 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Lyon to Salzburg by flight

Flights between Lyon and Salzburg take around 1h in the air, but plan on roughly 3h 23m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, Air France, Austrian Airlines.

Typical fare range is €62–200. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 104 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Lyon to Salzburg by car

The driving distance from Lyon to Salzburg is approximately 765 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 7h 24m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €80–146 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the France–Austria border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 113 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Lyon and Salzburg is approximately 665 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Both cities have international airports with regular flight service. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

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