Question about public transport in Lyon
 

My husband and I will be in Lyon for a full month in November and we'll be using public transportation for exploring the city, besides walking. We've searched the TCL (Transports en Commun Lyonnais) site and found out that there is a one month card which is called "passe partout" for 56 euros and gives you access to all public transport. In order to get the card you need to present current ID, photo and proof of residence. Does anyone know if this card is intended for French residents or tourists could also get it? Unfortunately TCL does not list an e mail address for asking them directly and I have already contacted the Lyon Tourist Bureau with the same question but they politely me told me to contact the TCL. I would appreciate any assistance.

You can use this form to contact TCL by email:

http://www.tcl.fr/Pied-de-page/Nous-contacter

To ask a question about the monthly pass, select "Abonnements" on the drop-down menu for "Motif".

I think it is supposed to be for actual residents, as they basically subsidize those fares. You should be able to buy one if you have some documents with your local address, though, you obviously don't have to be a citizen. If you are there a month, won't you be renting an apartment? If you have a lease or something with the address, that should work.

IN practice, you can buy the card online and have it mailed to you, and you just need to fill in your local address (which must be in France). So you could apply for that a few days before going and put in your local address and they'd mail you the electronic ard and then you apply your photo to it.

In any case, you have nothing to lose by trying, anyway. The same rules apply to the weekly passes, also, you still need to get that electronic card.

Thank you so much for both replies to MaineGG and Christina. I've already forwarded a message to TCL through the form so I am hoping for a reply. I also believe that the card is for locals, that's why I thought I'd ask the forum. Yes, I will have the lease at hand so depending what TCL responds I hope this will be enough. Have a great weekend!

Good luck with the TCL pass. It would be nice to have for your long stay. We were in Lyon for only a few days and used the trams, metro and funiculars to go everywhere we wanted to go. I'd love to go back for a longer visit.

Be sure to take the bus out to Parc de la Tete d'Or. Even in the rain we enjoyed several hours there in May.

Update for the "passe partout" card after our one month in Lyon. Non residents who plan to stay in the city for one month or more can get this card as long as they produce a current photograph, an ID/passport and proof of residence (although we simply stated our rental vacation address and no proof was requested). It's a great way of using one of Europe's best transportation systems.