Lyon by Bus: A Detailed Journey

Departing from Chamonix The bus rolls out promptly at 6 AM, so early risers are a must—especially if you’re staying downtown with heavy luggage. The 15-minute walk to the station, while manageable, feels longer in the pre-dawn chill, so factor in extra time to avoid rushing.🙌 The departure point is the main bus terminal for routes from Turin, Geneva, and beyond: 234 Route de Courmayeur (see my previous post for the English address details). It’s a straightforward spot, easy to find even in the dark.😂 Operated by France’s Blablacarbus, the service is reliably on time, and the buses are in decent condition—though not quite as spotless as Flixbus. Traces of leftover snacks linger in the seats, and a few tiny spiders scuttle in the corners, adding a touch of unintended wilderness to the ride.😍 By departure, the bus was about 60% full, with nearly half the passengers bound for Annecy. The mood was calm, with most people sipping coffee or scrolling through phones to wake up.❤️ Tickets were booked in advance via Omio, but in the off-season, this 6 AM route is relaxed—no need to stress over reserved seats. Walk-ups are likely to find space, making it a low-fuss option for early birds. Annecy Stopover😘 Annecy is the second stop on the route. The first stop, small and quick, flashed by before I could note its name—blink and you’ll miss it. The journey from Chamonix to Annecy takes 1 hour and 30 minutes, a scenic ride through rolling hills that eases you into the day. Annecy’s bus station is practically neighbors with its train station, separated only by a wire mesh fence. The transparency is handy: you can spot your connecting train platform from the bus, saving time on navigation. It’s a busy hub—over 10 passengers disembarked, stretching their legs and grabbing snacks, while 5 or 6 new riders boarded, including a group of hikers with gear.🤣 After a 10-minute pause to refuel (both passengers and bus), we hit the road again, onward to Lyon. Arrival at Lyon Airport We pulled out of Annecy at 7:45 AM, with Lyon Airport Terminal 1 originally scheduled for 9:00 AM. A surprise detour, however, pushed our arrival to 9:20 AM—more on that below.😊 The unexpected stop occurred at AUTOGRILL Aire de Hsle-d’Abeau Sud, right off the A43. As we pulled over, three police cars arrived, and 8 officers plus a sniffer dog hopped out—clearly a routine (or targeted) check for smuggling or drugs. Large vehicles like buses and trucks often draw extra attention here.😍 #LyonTravel #BusJourney #FranceTransport #TravelTips