Renting a Car in Lyon: A Perfect Road Trip to the Alps of Savoie

My first road trip to the Alps happened long before I knew the region by name.

As a child, it was simply our summer holiday — long drives through deep valleys, shimmering lakes appearing around a bend, and the quiet sense that everything felt different once the mountains rose on the horizon.

Later in life, those seasonal escapes turned into something more permanent. I lived in the Alps of Savoie for several years, learned its rhythms, its back roads, and its unspoken rules. 

My family still lives there today, which means this part of France has never really left my life — even though I no longer call it home.

Now, when I return, it is once again through the lens of travel. Not quite as a tourist, not quite as a local.

Yet one thing has remained constant through every chapter of my relationship with this region: having a car has always been essential to experiencing it fully.

In summer, especially, the Alps open up in a completely different way. Snow retreats to the highest peaks, alpine pastures turn green, village balconies overflow with flowers, and lakes invite you to slow down and stay longer.

This is not a region best discovered by rushing between highlights. It is a place that rewards curiosity, detours, and unplanned stops — all things that a road trip makes possible.

Lyon offers a natural gateway for this kind of journey. Easily reached by train or plane, it allows you to transition smoothly from city life to mountain landscapes in just a few hours.

From there, the road leads towards lakes, valleys, and villages that reveal their true character in the warmer months.

This guide focuses on renting a car in Lyon for a summer road trip to the Alps of Savoie — shaped by years of returning to a region that continues to feel familiar, majestic, and endlessly worth exploring.

Why Renting a Car in Lyon Is the Best Way to Explore the Alps in Summer

On paper, the Alps of Savoie look well-connected. Trains reach the main towns, buses link a handful of resorts, and everything appears neatly mapped out.

In reality, summer is when the region truly reveals how much it depends on the freedom of the road.

From Lyon, the transition is almost immediate. Within a couple of hours, urban landscapes give way to rolling foothills, then to lakes and mountain valleys.

Renting a car here means you are not locked into a single destination or timetable.

You can start your journey early to avoid traffic, stop spontaneously at a lakeside village, or take a slower scenic road simply because the light looks beautiful.

In summer especially, flexibility makes all the difference. Alpine villages rarely revolve around train stations.

Weekly markets, mountain viewpoints, quiet swimming spots, and lesser-known valleys are often just a few kilometres apart — but completely impractical to reach without a car.

Public transport may take you to the region; a car allows you to move within it.

There is also a rhythm to summer travel in the Alps that suits driving perfectly.

• Mornings are cool and clear, ideal for crossing valleys or climbing towards higher passes. 
• Midday invites long lunches by a lake or in a village square.
• Late afternoons are made for short drives to your next stop, when the mountains soften in the warm light. 

None of this works particularly well when you are constantly checking departure times.

Lyon plays a key role in this logic. As a major transport hub, it is easy to reach from elsewhere in France or from abroad.

Picking up a rental car there creates a natural break between city travel and alpine exploration.

Once you leave Lyon behind, the journey becomes calmer, more spacious, and increasingly scenic — exactly what a summer road trip should feel like.

In short, renting a car in Lyon is not about convenience alone. It is about travelling at the pace the Alps deserve, with the freedom to linger, detour, and return to places that quietly capture your attention along the way.

Arriving in Lyon: Train, Plane & an Easy Start to Your Road Trip to the Alps

One of the reasons Lyon works so well as a starting point for a road trip to the Alps is how easy it is to reach in the first place. Whether you arrive by train or plane, the transition from arrival to open road is remarkably smooth.

High-speed trains (TGV) connect Lyon to Paris in around two hours, making it a convenient entry point for travellers already exploring France.

International visitors will also find Lyon well served by flights from across Europe and beyond.

Either way, you arrive in a city that is compact, well organised, and far less overwhelming than larger hubs.

From there, picking up a rental car feels like a natural next step rather than a logistical challenge.

Lyon is designed for movement. Major roads lead out of the city efficiently, and within a short time, urban traffic fades into wider motorways and rolling countryside.

The sense of departure — of truly beginning your journey — happens quickly.

This matters, especially when your goal is not simply to reach a single destination, but to enjoy the journey itself.

A road trip to the Alps is not about rushing from point A to point B. It is about watching landscapes change, deciding on a whim to stop by a lake, or choosing a quieter road because it looks more inviting.

Starting in Lyon allows you to do exactly that, without unnecessary complications at the very beginning of your trip.

Where to Rent a Car in Lyon

Lyon offers several convenient options for renting a car, depending on how you arrive and how you want to begin your journey.

Lyon Airport (LYS)

For many travellers, Lyon Airport is the most practical place to pick up a rental car.

The choice of vehicles is wide, prices are often competitive, and access to the motorway network is immediate.

Within minutes, you are heading south or east, leaving the city behind and beginning your road trip to the Alps at a relaxed pace.

This option is particularly well-suited to travellers arriving from abroad or those eager to get on the road without spending time navigating the city.

Lyon City Centre & Train Stations

If you plan to spend some time in Lyon before heading towards the mountains, renting a car in the city centre or near the main train stations can make sense.

Areas around Lyon Part-Dieu and Lyon Perrache are well equipped, allowing you to enjoy the city on foot before switching gears and beginning your alpine journey.

This approach works well for travellers who see their road trip to the Alps as a natural continuation of a broader French itinerary.

Choosing the Right Car for a Summer Road Trip to the Alps

In summer, driving in the Alps is far more approachable than many first-time visitors expect. Roads are generally well maintained, signage is clear, and conditions are favourable.

Choosing the right car is therefore more about comfort and practicality than about power.

Compact Car or SUV?

Despite the mountainous terrain, a compact car is often perfectly adequate for a summer road trip to the Alps.

Village streets can be narrow, parking spaces limited, and fuel costs lower with smaller vehicles. Unless you are travelling with a lot of luggage or several passengers, there is rarely a need for something larger.

SUVs can offer added comfort on longer drives, but they are not essential for most summer itineraries.

Manual or Automatic?

This is an important point for travellers from the US, the UK, or Australia.

Manual cars remain the norm in France and are usually cheaper to rent.

Automatic vehicles are available, but should be booked early, especially during the busy summer months.

Comfort for Long Summer Drives

Air conditioning, supportive seats, and enough boot space for picnic supplies or hiking gear make a noticeable difference when exploring the Alps in summer.

A road trip to the Alps often involves several shorter drives rather than one long haul — and comfort adds up quickly.

Driving from Lyon to the Alps: Distances & What to Expect

One of the pleasures of starting your road trip to the Alps in Lyon is how quickly the scenery begins to change. The city feels like a clear threshold between urban France and the mountains beyond.

From Lyon, driving times are very reasonable:

• Lyon to Annecy: around 1 hour 45 minutes
• Lyon to Chambéry: around 1 hour
• Lyon to Chamonix: around 2 hours 30 minutes

Motorways are efficient and well-maintained, though tolls apply. For travellers in no rush, alternative secondary roads offer a slower but more rewarding experience, passing through vineyards, small towns, and open landscapes that feel very much part of the journey.

In summer, driving conditions are generally relaxed, and the pleasure comes from allowing yourself extra time — not just to arrive, but to enjoy the road itself.

Best Summer Road Trips from Lyon by Car

Annecy and Lake Annecy

For many travellers, Annecy is the first real alpine revelation on a road trip to the Alps.

After leaving Lyon, the shift in atmosphere is immediate: the air feels fresher, the light sharper, and the mountains suddenly seem close enough to touch.

Annecy itself is often described as postcard-perfect — and for once, the reputation is deserved. Its old town, criss-crossed by canals and lined with pastel façades, is lively without feeling overwhelming. In summer, cafés spill onto the streets, flower boxes overflow with colour, and the slow rhythm of the water sets the tone for the days ahead.

But the real magic lies just beyond the historic centre. Lake Annecy, with its famously clear turquoise waters, invites you to slow down and stay longer than planned. Having a car makes all the difference here. It allows you to circle the lake at your own pace, stop at quieter beaches away from the busiest areas, or head uphill for panoramic viewpoints that most visitors never reach.

Summer is the ideal season to experience this balance between water and mountains. You can swim in the lake in the morning, wander through Annecy’s streets at lunchtime, and drive a few minutes out of town in the afternoon to reach hiking trails or peaceful villages overlooking the water. This flexibility is exactly what defines a successful Road Trip to the Alps.

Annecy also works beautifully as a first overnight stop. It eases you gently into alpine life, offering comfort, beauty, and variety — before the journey continues deeper into Savoie and beyond.

Lake Bourget and Chambéry

Often overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbours, Lake Bourget has a quieter, more understated charm that feels particularly rewarding on a road trip to the Alps. As France’s largest natural lake, it offers wide open views, calmer shores, and a sense of space that immediately slows the pace of travel.

In summer, the lake becomes a place to linger rather than rush through. Warm waters invite swimming, while lakeside paths encourage unhurried walks and long pauses by the water. With a car, you can easily move between different access points, discovering small beaches, peaceful coves, and viewpoints that reveal the scale of the surrounding mountains.

Nearby, Chambéry provides a graceful cultural counterpoint to the lake. As the historic capital of Savoie, the town has an elegant, almost Italian feel, with narrow streets, shaded squares, and a sense of history that runs quietly through daily life. It is a place best explored without haste — stopping for coffee, wandering through the old town, and enjoying the atmosphere rather than chasing landmarks.

What makes this combination particularly appealing on a Road Trip to the Alps is the ease of movement. From Lake Bourget, you can circle the shoreline, head into nearby vineyards, or take smaller roads towards the foothills without ever feeling constrained by schedules. The journey itself becomes part of the experience.

Lake Bourget and Chambéry are ideal for travellers seeking a more relaxed rhythm — a pause between iconic destinations — and a reminder that the Alps are not only about dramatic peaks, but also about water, heritage, and quiet summer moments.

Chamonix and Mont Blanc Landscapes

Arriving in Chamonix is often a defining moment on a road trip to the Alps. The valley narrows, the mountains rise sharply on either side, and the Mont Blanc massif dominates the horizon with a presence that feels both awe-inspiring and humbling.

In summer, Chamonix reveals a completely different personality from its winter image. Snow retreats to the highest peaks, trails open up across the valley, and the town becomes a base for walking, cable-car rides, and simply soaking in some of the most dramatic alpine scenery in Europe. The atmosphere is lively but outdoors-focused, with hikers, climbers, and families sharing the same cafés and paths.

Having a car here is particularly valuable. While the town itself is compact, the surrounding valley stretches for several kilometres, and many of its most beautiful viewpoints, trailheads, and quieter corners are best reached independently. A short drive can take you from the bustle of the centre to peaceful alpine meadows or the foot of a glacier, without relying on fixed schedules.

Chamonix also works well as a turning point in a Road Trip to the Alps. From here, you can linger for a day or two, then continue deeper into Savoie’s valleys, where the landscapes soften slightly but remain just as compelling. The contrast between Chamonix’s monumental scale and the more intimate valleys that follow is part of what makes this journey so memorable.

In summer, Chamonix is less about ticking off attractions and more about experiencing the mountains at eye level — slowly, deliberately, and with the freedom to choose your own rhythm.

Beaufortain and the Tarentaise Valley

After the dramatic scale of Chamonix, the Beaufortain and Tarentaise valleys offer a different, more intimate vision of the Alps. Here, the mountains are still powerful, but the atmosphere is gentler — shaped by pastures, chalets, and the slow rhythm of alpine life in summer.

This is a landscape best appreciated from the road. Driving through these valleys, you pass herds grazing on high meadows, traditional farm buildings, and small villages where daily life continues at an unhurried pace. In summer, the colours are rich and varied: deep greens, weathered wood, stone villages softened by flowers.

A car allows you to explore these valleys beyond the main routes. You can take smaller roads that climb gently into the hills, stop at farm shops selling local cheese, or pull over simply because the view deserves a pause.

Public transport may connect the larger towns, but it rarely reaches the places that make these valleys so memorable.

The Beaufortain, in particular, feels like an invitation to slow down.

Roads wind through open landscapes, offering constant views of the surrounding peaks without the sense of urgency found in more famous alpine destinations.

The Tarentaise, broader and more varied, provides a natural corridor deeper into Savoie, linking villages, viewpoints, and summer hiking areas.

For travellers seeking a Road Trip to the Alps that goes beyond iconic sights, these valleys deliver something quieter and more lasting: a sense of continuity between landscape, tradition, and everyday life.

It is the kind of place where you stop planning the next destination — and simply enjoy where you are.

Hidden Villages Worth the Detour

One of the greatest pleasures of a Road Trip to the Alps lies in the places you don’t plan to rush through — the villages you reach almost by accident, simply because you have the freedom to follow the road a little further.

Cordon

Often described as a balcony facing Mont Blanc, Cordon is the kind of village that rewards patience.

In summer, flower-filled chalets line quiet streets, and the views stretch endlessly across the Arve Valley. 

It is a place to stop, breathe, and remember why travelling slowly matters.

Yvoire

Perched on the shores of Lake Geneva, Yvoire feels almost suspended in time.

Its medieval streets, stone houses, and lakeside paths are at their most beautiful in summer, when the light dances on the water and cafés invite long pauses by the shore.

Bonneval-sur-Arc

Tucked away at the far end of the Haute-Maurienne valley, Bonneval-sur-Arc feels wonderfully remote — even in summer.

Stone houses, slate roofs, and high-mountain surroundings give the village a sense of authenticity that is increasingly rare.

Reaching it by car is part of the experience, the road gradually drawing you deeper into the Alps.

Conflans

Overlooking Albertville, the fortified town of Conflans offers a striking contrast between history and landscape.

Its narrow streets and ramparts tell stories of Savoyard heritage, while panoramic views open out towards the Tarentaise valley — a rewarding stop when you want to combine culture and scenery.

Chanaz

Nicknamed the little Venice of Savoie, Chanaz is all about gentleness.

Its canal, boats, and shaded terraces create a relaxed summer atmosphere that feels worlds away from alpine drama. 

It is an ideal place to end a day on the road, with nothing planned beyond a quiet dinner by the water.

These villages are not linked by direct train lines or tidy itineraries.

They reveal themselves gradually, through detours and unhurried drives — exactly what a Road Trip to the Alps allows you to do best.

Together, they form a mosaic of landscapes, traditions, and moments that linger long after the journey ends.

Practical Summer Driving Tips for a Road Trip to the Alps

Driving in the Alps during summer is generally straightforward, but a few practical details can make a real difference between a relaxed journey and an unnecessarily stressful one. These tips are based on real alpine conditions — not worst-case scenarios.

Take Your Time on Mountain Roads

Alpine roads are well-maintained, but they are often narrow and winding once you leave the main valleys. In summer, this is part of the pleasure.

Allow extra time, drive calmly, and don’t hesitate to pull over at designated viewpoints. A Road Trip to the Alps is not about speed — it’s about awareness and enjoyment.

Watch for Cyclists and Hikers

Summer brings cyclists, hikers, and motorbikes onto the roads, especially near mountain passes and popular trailheads.

Expect slower traffic at times, and approach bends carefully. Sharing the road is simply part of the alpine summer rhythm.

Parking in Villages and Small Towns

Parking rules vary from place to place. In larger towns, look for clearly marked public car parks.

In smaller villages, parking areas may be limited but usually well signposted. Avoid blocking narrow streets — many alpine villages were not designed for modern traffic.

Plan Around Market Days and Weekends

Local markets are a highlight of summer in the Alps, but they can also affect traffic and parking. If possible, arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Weekends, especially in July and August, are busier on main routes, so midweek drives tend to be more relaxed.

Fuel Up Before Heading into Remote Valleys

Fuel stations are easy to find in towns and along major roads, but are much rarer in high valleys.

As a general rule, refuel when you have the chance — especially if your Road Trip to the Alps takes you into quieter, less populated areas.

Respect Speed Limits and Local Driving Style

Speed limits are clearly posted and frequently monitored. More importantly, local driving culture in the Alps tends to be calm and respectful. Matching that pace will make your journey smoother and far more enjoyable.

Is Renting a Car in Lyon Worth It for a Summer Road Trip to the Alps?

For a summer Road Trip to the Alps, renting a car in Lyon is not just a practical choice — it is what makes the journey truly rewarding.

The Alps of Savoie are not a destination you experience in a straight line.

They unfold gradually, through valleys, lakes, villages, and roads that invite you to slow down rather than rush ahead.

While trains and buses can take you to certain towns, they rarely allow you to move freely between them — or to stop when a view, a village, or a market catches your attention.

Starting your trip in Lyon creates a natural transition from city travel to Alpine exploration. It allows you to leave schedules behind and travel at a rhythm that suits summer in the mountains: unhurried mornings, long lunches, short scenic drives, and evenings spent somewhere you hadn’t necessarily planned to be.

For travellers who want more than a checklist of highlights — who want to understand the landscape, feel the scale of the mountains, and discover places between the main stops — a rental car makes all the difference. It turns the Alps from a destination into a journey.

FAQ — Renting a Car in Lyon for a Road Trip to the Alps

❓ Do I really need a car for a Road Trip to the Alps in summer?

If you want to explore beyond major towns and access lakes, villages, and scenic roads, a car is by far the easiest and most flexible option. Public transport works well for single destinations, but not for a true road trip.

❓ Is driving in the French Alps difficult in summer?

No. In summer, roads are generally clear, well-maintained, and clearly signposted. While some mountain roads are narrow, careful and relaxed driving is all that is required.

❓ How long does it take to drive from Lyon to the Alps?

Most alpine destinations are reachable within two to three hours. The journey itself is part of the experience, with landscapes changing quickly as you leave the city behind.

❓ What type of car is best for a summer Road Trip to the Alps?

A compact car is often sufficient for summer travel, especially if you plan to visit villages and park in smaller towns. Comfort features such as air conditioning and enough boot space are more important than size or power.

❓ Can I visit Alpine villages without a car?

Some villages are accessible by bus, but services are limited and infrequent. Many of the most beautiful villages are best reached by car, particularly if you want to explore them at your own pace.

❓ Is Lyon a good starting point for international travellers?

Yes. Lyon is easy to reach by train or plane and offers smooth access to the motorway network, making it an excellent gateway for a Road Trip to the Alps.

A Personal Note to End Your Road Trip to the Alps

Some places stay with you because you once passed through them.
Others stay because you keep returning.

For me, the Alps of Savoie belong to the second category. I have known them as a summer destination, as a place to live, and now as a place I return to whenever I can.

Each time, the journey feels different — and each time, the freedom of the road makes it possible.

Starting a Road Trip to the Alps from Lyon allows that sense of continuity to remain intact.

It leaves room for detours, quiet villages, unexpected views, and the simple pleasure of letting the mountains set the pace.

In the end, that freedom is what turns a trip into something more lasting — a journey you don’t just remember, but one you look forward to repeating.

Bon voyage!