TCL – Lyon Public Transport

What public transport options do you have in Lyon?

• Metro: Lyon has a four-line metro system. Line A (????) runs from Perrache to Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie, Line B (????) operates from Charpennes to Gare d’Oullins, Line C (????) connects Hôtel de Ville to Cuire, and Line D (????) runs from Gare de Vaise to Gare de Vénissieux.
• Tramway: Lyon has six-line tramway system. Line T1 runs from Debourg to IUT Feyssine, Line T2 connects Perrache to Saint-Priest Bel-Air, Line T3 operates from Part-Dieu Villette to Meyzieu Z.I., Line T4 runs from La Doua Gaston Berger to Hôpital Feyzin Vénissieux, Line T5 connects Grange Blanche to Eurexpo, and Line T6 runs from Debourg to Hôpitaux Est Pinel.
• Bus: Buses are a convenient mode of transport for reaching areas not served by the metro or tramway network.
• Bicycle: Lyon promotes cycling as a means of transportation. The city offers a bike-sharing system called “Vélo’V,” with numerous bike stations throughout the city. The Vélo’V bicycles can be rented for short durations, allowing residents and visitors to easily navigate Lyon on two wheels. Lyon is a really good city to get around by bike in.
• Funicular: Lyon has two funicular lines, F1 and F2, which provide vertical transportation to reach hilly areas of the city. F1 runs from Saint-Jean to Fourvière, while F2 connects Saint-Just to Fourvière.

TCL Lyon

TCL – Transports Communs Lyonnais – is the second largest in France after Paris, and covers 62 communes, including all 57 communes of the Urban Community of Lyon, spread over 606 km2. Having a pass will give you access to the 4 metro lines, 2 funiculars, 8 tramway lines (but not the Rhônexpress tram as it’s not covered by TCL), and 126 bus lines.

TCL Tickets

TCL has a website in English making it a bit easier to navigate. You have many options to choose from:

1. Hourly tickets
2. Daily tickets
3. Neighbourhood tickets
4. Group tickets
5. Lyon City Card (for tourists)
6. Weekly tickets
7. Travel Cards and Passes (“Carte Técély”)

If you’re moving here permanently and will be using the public transport regularly, the Carte Técély is the way to go. 

What is the Carte Técely? 

The Técély card is the main pass for all TCL networks, season tickets and books of 10 tickets (Full Fare, Under 26 and Large Family). It is a personal, nominative card that allows you to load tickets for the TCL network and to validate journeys. If you lose your card or it is stolen, head to one of the TCL branches as they can recover all unused tickets or your season ticket. The Carte Técély is valid for 5 years.

The card is for everyone who uses the TCL network (metro, tram, bus, funicular, park-and-ride facilities) occasionally and regularly. The card itself costs €5.

How can I get a Carte Técely?

You can purchase it in 3 different ways:

1. On the online agency e-tecely.tcl.fr. You will receive your Técély card by post with the transport ticket of your choice (scroll down and we’ll guide you in English)
2. With the Click and Collect service you can order a card online here and collect it from the TCL Bellecour branch from Monday to Friday.

Note: By law, your employer has to pay 50% of your public transport costs. They usually automatically reimburse you in your paycheck.

Documents to provide :

1. Identity document
2. 5 € for the creation or renewal of your Técély card
3. Recent photo of the face, framed on the face, bare head and on a plain and clear background. It is possible to have your photo taken in the agency.
4. Other supporting documents may be required depending on the ticket you wish to purchase: go to the tickets and fares page to consult all the descriptions of the tickets.

How do I get a Carte Técély if I don’t speak French? 

As in most French cities, having access to the monthly or annual subscriptions is only available on the French website, but we got you covered!

First – find your subscription

1. Click here and select the subscription you want (Mois / Année is the monthly / annual one)
2. Select your age
3. Choose your profile. Most Urban Index users are either “Tout Public” (normal person) or “Étudiants de 26 ou 27 ans” (students between 26 – 27 years old)
4. Scroll down to “Abonneents” and select the card and how you want to pay (monthly automatic payment “unlimited” or manual monthly payments

Second – buy your card

1. Click here and select “J’achète une carte Técély”
2. “Ajouter” your card (the only option on this page)
3. Fill in the information, click next
4. Upload the front and back of your identity document, then upload a photo of your face
5. One this is confirmed, the last steps are to add your address where you wish to receive your card, and payment details – you’re good to go! If you have any issues, you can head to one of the 5 branches and get your card in person immediately.