Comparison · Lyon vs Paris · France
Lyon vs Paris
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Aldg692VX, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Lyon for Gastronomy, Bouchons and lower day-to-day costs; choose Paris for Eiffel Tower and Louvre. Lyon is generally less expensive, and the two are about 391 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 391 km
- Less expensive
- Lyon
- Best time for Lyon
- April–June and September–October
- Best time for Paris
- April–June and September–October
Side by side
| Lyon | Paris | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | France | France |
| Known for | Gastronomy, Bouchons and Vieux Lyon | Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Café culture |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–October | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $150–$250 | $200–$350 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 28°C (82°F) | July, 25°C (77°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 7°C (45°F) | January, 7°C (45°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | LYS | CDG, ORY, BVA |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Lyon for…
Gastronomy, Bouchons and lower day-to-day costs. Lyon sits where the Saône meets the Rhône, with a UNESCO-listed historic centre that runs from the Roman theatres on Fourvière hill through the Renaissance lanes of Vieux Lyon to the silk-weavers' slopes of the Croix-Rousse. It is best known for food…
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Choose Paris for…
Eiffel Tower and Louvre. Paris packs the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower into a compact city of 20 arrondissements spiralling out from the Seine. Most first-time visitors base themselves in the central 1st–7th arrondissements and get around on foot and by…
Top sights compared
| # | Lyon | Paris |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière | Eiffel Tower |
| 2 | Vieux Lyon and the traboules | Louvre Museum |
| 3 | Roman theatres of Fourvière and Lugdunum museum | Musée d'Orsay |
| 4 | Saint-Jean Cathedral | Notre-Dame Cathedral |
| 5 | Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse | Sainte-Chapelle |
Food compared
| Lyon | Paris |
|---|---|
| Pike quenelles | Croissant and pain au chocolat |
| Sausage in brioche | Baguette tradition |
| Lyonnaise salad | Steak frites |
| Silk worker's brain | Croque-monsieur |
Which is cheaper?
Lyon is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $150–$250 per person there, against $200–$350 in Paris (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Lyon on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Lyon and Paris are about 391 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Lyon and 4 in Paris.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Lyon or Paris cheaper?
Lyon is usually less expensive: about $150–$250 a day mid-range against $200–$350 (estimates).
+Is Lyon or Paris better for a first trip?
Pick Lyon for Gastronomy, Bouchons and lower day-to-day costs, or Paris for Eiffel Tower and Louvre.
+How far is Lyon from Paris?
About 391 km in a straight line.