We're visiting Lyon for 5 days in October and I've seen the funicular railway ride up the mountain recommended several times in various posts, but can't find any info on it at any of the Lyon tourist sites. Could somebody tell me where it starts from, how much it costs and is there anything at the top apart from the view (which I'm sure is worth the trip in itself, but I'd like to know whether to set aside just an hour or so, or a full half day)? Thanks!

There is a lot of information on the entire city on the Lyon's mayor's office web site, including transportation (which has info on the funicular):<BR>http://www.mairie-lyon.fr/en/index.html<BR>Just go to the general city info section, then acces and transport<BR><BR>I think it links you to the Lyon transport agency web site which has maps and details (I think that URL is www.tcl.fr)<BR><BR>There are two funicular lines, both start from the same point at the bottom of the hill next to the cathedral St-Jean in the Vieux Lyon section (in fact, I think there is a metro stop right there, called Vieux Lyon). One goes to an area called St Just (I think, not sure) which I'm not sure what is there, but the other one goes to the top of the hill where the Basilica de Notre Dame de Fourviere is, that's where most tourists want to go, I'd say. Aside from the basilica, which is quite interesting (and unusual), there is a little park and wonderful views. There are also Roman ruins up there (theaters, one is the largest in France), if you are interested in them, and a Gallo-Roman museum for archeology. So, you could spend a full half day if you want to see all that, but you definitely should stop in to the cathedral.<BR><BR>I don't recall the cost of the funicular, but it's not much, of course, one metro ticket, as I recall -- I believe I purchased some kind of all day transportation pass when I was there for that and the metro, which was convenient. The Lyon all-day transportation pass costs 3,80 euro; you can also buy carnets of tickets as in Paris and London for a slight savings over buying single ones. Here is the transport agency's section on tickets<BR>http://www.tcl.fr/part_tcl/part_voyager/f1.html

Hi, we enjoyed coming down by foot.

Thanks for the good links Christina. <BR><BR>I had a look at the airport site and I now have another question - I see that it's cheaper to buy a return ticket for the Satobus from the airport to the city centre, but is this only for same day use, or can the return portion be used several days later?

I also walked down the hill, as I recall, although I took the funicular up. <BR><BR>Elaine, I didn't fly to Lyon, I took the train, so I don't really know about the shuttle bus RT tickets, but I would bet it must allow a return on another day as few people are going to want to return to an airport the same day they arrive. Any other city where I've found similar type RT tickets for special busses like that, they allow you to use the return another day, so I imagine so, but am just guessing. I guess you can just ask them when buying to find out which you need.

I also took the funicular up but walked back down. You can use a regular metro ticket for the funicular.

Thanks for all the good advice - I'm sure I'll have more questions to ask before we go!