Route guide

Lyon → Florence

553 km · France to Italy · Fastest: 3h by flight · Cheapest: €23+ by bus

How to travel from Lyon to Florence

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

🚄Train

€48–140

Duration: 4h 37m

via TGV inOui, Frecciarossa

~8.0 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€23–59

Duration: 7h 54m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~15 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€57–186

Duration: 3h 14m

via Ryanair, easyJet, Air France, ITA Airways

~86 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€66–122

Duration: 6h 9m

~94 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

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

Travel tips for this route

At 553 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 Italy. 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 Florence — every option in detail

Lyon to Florence by train

Trains link Lyon (France) and Florence (Italy) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 4h 37m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include TGV inOui, Frecciarossa.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €48 to €140. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

On routes under 600 km like this one, train often beats flight door-to-door once you factor in airport check-in and transfers.

Climate footprint: about 8.0 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 86 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~78 kg on this distance.

Lyon to Florence by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Lyon and Florence with a typical journey of 7h 54m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €23 when booked in advance, rising to €59 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 Florence by flight

Flights between Lyon and Florence take around 1h in the air, but plan on roughly 3h 14m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, Air France, ITA Airways.

Typical fare range is €57–186. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 86 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Lyon to Florence by car

The driving distance from Lyon to Florence is approximately 636 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 6h 9m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €66–122 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the France–Italy 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 94 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Lyon and Florence is approximately 553 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.

↔ Reverse: Florence to Lyon All routes from Lyon All routes to Florence