THE SHORT VERSION
Zurich to Lyon at a glance.
- From
- Zurich Zürich
- To
- Lyon
- Road distance
- About 428 km
- Straight line
- 336 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~5 h buses take longer
- Return route
- Lyon to Zurich →
- Border
- Switzerland → France. Schengen: carry ID
Ready to travel from Zurich to Lyon?
Check live availability, fares and departure times with 12Go.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Zurich
Zurich is Switzerland's main coach hub, with international routes to Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the Benelux countries. The coach station is at Sihlquai, near the main railway station.
- Zurich Sihlquai bus station · Carparkplatz Sihlquai
Near Zurich Hauptbahnhof.
Arriving in Lyon
Perrache is linked to the city by metro line A and trams.
- Lyon Perrache bus station · Gare routière de Perrache
Next to Perrache railway station. FlixBus and other long-distance services.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Some services also stop at Lyon Part-Dieu or Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport.
KEEP GOING
From Lyon, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Lyon
More buses from Zurich
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Zurich from Lyon by road?+
About 428 km by road (336 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Zurich to Lyon take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 5 h by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Zurich?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Zurich include Zurich Sihlquai bus station, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Lyon to Zurich?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Lyon to Zurich guide.
Where does the bus from Zurich arrive in Lyon?+
It depends on the operator. In Lyon, services use Lyon Perrache bus station. Perrache is linked to the city by metro line A and trams.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Lyon?+
Perrache is linked to the city by metro line A and trams.
What kind of bus runs from Zurich to Lyon?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Zurich to Lyon bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Lyon by bus?+
Direct buses from Lyon include Marseille, Milan, Paris, Nice, Barcelona and more. See all connections on our Lyon bus page.
Do I need my passport on the bus from Zurich to Lyon?+
Switzerland and France are both in the Schengen area, so there are usually no routine border checks. Carry your passport or national ID card anyway: spot checks happen and operators may ask for ID.
Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.
Book Zurich → Lyon on 12GoFOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Zurich to Lyon bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Zurich (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Lyon (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →