Guide to Part-Dieu and Perrache stations for travellers
Two stations, two atmospheres. Here is how to find your driver without going round in circles, where private-hire cars park and how to handle connections — from drivers who pass through every day.
Published on August 25, 2026 · Updated on September 30, 2026 · By Khaled Aggoune, founder of ONLY VTC — private-hire driver in Lyon since 2016, assistance missions on the A43/A46 corridor
Part-Dieu and Perrache handle most of Lyon's rail traffic, but they are not alike. Knowing which exit to use saves many minutes, especially with luggage or a delayed train.
Part-Dieu: choosing the right exit
Europe's leading connecting station, Part-Dieu has two main exits: Villette side (east, towards Villeurbanne and La Doua) and Vivier-Merle side (west, towards the shopping centre and business district). At peak times, the drop-off area on the Villette side often flows better. Your driver confirms the exact meeting point by message — no need to guess. With regular roadworks in the area, this shared landmark avoids passing each other without meeting. Practical details on our page Part-Dieu station car service.
Perrache: a multi-level transport hub
Perrache is stacked in layers: trains, metro A, trams and coaches, all linked by the interchange above the tracks. For a private-hire car, the simplest option is drop-off/pick-up on the Cours de Verdun side (historic façade) or the place des Archives side, depending on traffic. Here again, a precise point is agreed in advance. See our page Perrache station private-hire car.
Train delayed? We follow the actual time
Enter your train number when booking: we follow the actual arrival time. If your high-speed train is late, the driver adjusts the pick-up — you do not pay for an SNCF delay. And for a departure, we set the departure time to match your train, with a safety margin.
Connections and smart journeys
- Part-Dieu → Saint-Exupéry airport : about 25 minutes off-peak. The private-hire car offers pick-up at the agreed point, help with luggage and a journey with no connections; compare your quote with the current rail fare, without assuming a price advantage for two or three people. See our page airport transfer.
- Perrache → Presqu'île / Confluence : a few minutes, ideal late in the evening when the metro closes.
- From station to station : a Part-Dieu ↔ Perrache journey by private-hire car avoids a metro connection with suitcases.
In all cases, the price is fixed at booking. Estimate your journey before you leave.
ONLY VTC has been picking up travellers at Part-Dieu and Perrache 24/7, with train tracking and fixed prices, since 2016. Need to organise travel for your company? contact@onlyvtc.fr.