Study abroad in Lyon
Housing, Erasmus groups, universities, costs and student life for exchange students in Lyon.
Country
FranceStudent Budget
EUR 900 – 1,350/month
Transport Card
TCL monthly student or youth subscription
Population
About 522k city / over 1.4M in the metropolis
City Vibe
France's big-city Erasmus choice without Paris intensity: strong universities, serious food culture, reliable metro and tram links, and easy weekend access to the Alps, Geneva, and southern France.
Who loves this city?
Students who want a proper urban semester, strong public transport, good food, and better access to mountains and weekend trips than most French cities.
What makes it special
Lyon balances academic scale with a local identity: bouchons, rivers, festivals, student bars, and transport links that make the city feel usable rather than exhausting.
Newcomer shocks
- The city feels smaller than Paris, but the housing search can still be very competitive before September.
- Campuses are spread out, so the best neighborhood depends heavily on your host institution.
- French admin and guarantor requirements can slow private rentals unless you prepare documents early.
Before You Land
A few practical setup details students usually sort before arrival
Connectivity, insurance, and secure public WiFi are the boring things you only notice when you need them. Keep them on your checklist, but keep the guide itself front and centre.
Arrival Connectivity
Sort an eSIM before you land
Maps, ride apps, 2FA codes, and WhatsApp are usually the first things students need from the airport.
Coverage Check
Confirm your travel insurance
Even when the university gives guidance, students usually need to double-check what is covered before departure.
Public WiFi
Have a backup for shared networks
Campus halls, airports, and cafés are convenient, but many students prefer an extra privacy layer when they first arrive.
Weather & Packing
| Season | High / Low | Conditions | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°C / 1°C | Cold and foggy | 9h daylight; Lyonnaise winter fog |
| February | 8°C / 2°C | Showers and cold | Carnival season; warm coat |
| March | 13°C / 5°C | Showers | Spring builds; medium jacket |
| April | 16°C / 8°C | Some rain | Pleasant; bouchon season begins |
| May | 21°C / 12°C | Light showers | Beautiful; outdoor dining on Presqu'île |
| June | 25°C / 15°C | Thunderstorms | Warm; Nuits de Fourvière begins |
| July | 29°C / 18°C | Dry | Hot; Bastille Day celebrations |
| August | 28°C / 17°C | Dry | Many locals on holiday; quieter city |
| September | 23°C / 13°C | Light rain | Excellent weather; autumn gastronomy |
| October | 17°C / 8°C | Rain increases | Autumn; medium layers |
| November | 10°C / 4°C | Cold and rainy | Fête des Lumières preparations |
| December | 7°C / 1°C | Cold rain, fog | Fête des Lumières (Dec 8); magical light show |
Winters are cool and grey rather than extreme. A waterproof jacket and warm layers matter more than snow gear in the city.
Packing checklist
- Warm coat for Jan–Feb fog season
- Layers for spring/autumn
- Sunscreen for summer
- Waterproof jacket for frequent autumn rain
- Comfortable shoes for traboules walking tours
Cost of Living
Cost of Living Index
71.8 / 100
Expensive · World avg ≈ 44
| Category | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Room Rent | EUR 500 – 800/month | Directional range for a private shared room or modest studio search; prices vary strongly by district and timing. |
| Groceries | EUR 180 – 280/month | Can be lower if you rely on CROUS meals and discount supermarkets. |
| Transport Monthly | EUR 25 – 35/month | Student and youth pricing is available through TCL; check eligibility by age and student status. |
Going out & dining
Supermarket basket
Source: Numbeo · Prices approximate, updated periodically.
Housing
Guillotiere
Mid to highCentral nightlife, international food, and quick links across the city.
Jean Mace / Saxe-Gambetta
Mid-rangeA balanced student base with practical transport connections.
Villeurbanne / La Doua
Mid-rangeStudents at Lyon 1, INSA Lyon, and science or engineering campuses.
Ecully
Mid to highStudents at EMLyon, Centrale Lyon, or schools west of Lyon.
Where to search
Student groups
Ask your host university international office and ESN Lyon before paying a deposit.
Use public student groups only for leads; keep payments on traceable, protected channels.
Documents to prepare
Passport or national ID
Admission letter or student certificate
Proof of resources
Guarantor documents or Visale certificate if eligible
Home insurance once a lease is signed
Timing
Start serious housing work as soon as your nomination is confirmed.
September arrivals should not wait until August for private listings.
Deposit & contract notes
A written lease is standard and should identify rent, charges, deposit, duration, and inventory process.
CAF housing aid may be possible, but do not build your budget assuming it will arrive immediately.
Red flags
Payment requested before lease review
No video visit or impossible address verification
Landlord claims French rental paperwork is unnecessary
Rent far below similar listings in the same district
Safety
Safety Index
40.7 / 100
Moderate — stay alert
Crime Index
59.3 / 100
High crime — be cautious
Source: Numbeo · Lower crime = safer. Higher safety = safer.
Generally workable for exchange students. Main risks are rental scams, pickpocketing in very busy areas, and feeling overconfident late at night around party streets or station zones.
Top risks
- Rental scams targeting international students
- Pickpocketing in busy metro, station, and nightlife areas
- Late-night solo walks after parties without checking transit options
Transport
🚇 TCL (Metro, tram, bus, funicular)
Pass Campus is THE student deal — buy at TCL agencies with student card. Covers all 4 metro lines, 6 tram lines, buses, AND the Old Lyon funicular.
Pass Campus under 28
🚲 Vélo'v bike share
~5,000 bikes, 348 stations. Annual pass for students €31. Cycling along the Rhône is one of student-life highlights.
Annual under-26 rate
🚆 TER regional trains
Cobalt card discounts SNCF regional trips — useful for Annecy, Grenoble, Geneva weekend trips.
TER Cobalt under 26
Events & Activities
Fete des Lumieres
Early December
Mostly free in public spaces
The city's signature event and a strong reason to stay in Lyon during winter.
Nuits Sonores
Spring
Paid, with some city programming
Electronic music, venues across the city, and a very international crowd.
Parc de la Tete d'Or weekends
Year-round, best spring to autumn
Free
Easy, free reset from classes and one of the simplest group hangout spots.
Alps and Annecy day or weekend trips
Year-round
Variable transport and activity costs
Lyon is one of the best French bases for mountain and lake escapes.
medium
Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights)
December 8 and surrounding days
Free
70+ light installations transform Lyon into an open-air art gallery — one of the most beautiful free events in Europe
medium
Nuits de Fourvière
June – July
€15–45 per show
Concerts, theatre and circus in Roman amphitheatres — unique atmosphere with 2,000-year-old stone backdrop
Les Halles Paul Bocuse
Tuesday–Sunday year-round
Free to browse; food €3–15
France's most famous covered food market — named after the legendary chef, the best place to eat cheaply like a Lyonnais
Student Perks
Museums & Culture
ISIC (International Student Identity Card) Discounts
Get international student discounts at main museums, galleries, cultural sites, and tourist attractions.
VisitLocal Museum Youth/Student Days
Many national and municipal museums offer free or highly discounted entry for students and young residents under 26.
VisitCulture & student events
Lyon Campus and universities list student culture deals, welcome events, and local student services.
VisitFood Savings
Too Good To Go
Popular app to buy surplus food and pastries from local bakeries, cafes, and supermarkets at a huge discount.
Get appUniversity Canteens (Mensa)
Check your local university campus for the student cafeteria which offers subsidized hot meals to students.
Get appFood savings
CROUS restaurants are one of the biggest budget helpers for students in France.
Get appCheck TCL student/youth subscription rules before buying single tickets all month. Fares & passes
Universities
Université Lumière Lyon 2
One of France's most dynamic humanities and social sciences universities (28,000 students, founded 1973 from the original 1896 Université de Lyon) — strong Erasmus network, two campuses in France's gastronomic capital, and direct TGV access to Paris and the Alps.
Social Life
What Students Usually Get Wrong
Student Associations
Meeting Places 5
Public Groups 2
ESN CosmoLyon
Local ESN association for international student events and buddy-style onboarding.
Lyon Campus
Official student-life portal with housing, culture, and arrival information.
Forums & Advice 2
Erasmus+ Community
Official network for exchange students — forums, contacts, and city guides.
Reddit: student accommodation in Lyon
Peer discussion showing how students compare CROUS, residences, and shared housing in practice.
Reddit: buying a monthly TCL pass as a student
Useful reality check on how newcomers interpret TCL student/youth subscriptions.