Geneva to Lyon bus

On the banks of Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps, discover the polished and cosmopolitan city of Geneva. As the headquarters of many of the world's biggest organizations, including the World Health Organization and World Trade Organization, Geneva can look a little businesslike on the exterior. Still, once you scratch the surface, you'll find there's a lot more to this city than it seems.

Start in the Old Town, often regarded as the most scenic part of the city. The Old Town encompasses the area around the Cathedrale Saint-Pierre, and it's filled with many local boutiques and cafes. Then, to see just how old Geneva is, visit the archaeological remains of a 4th-century basilica beneath the cathedral. Next, walk along the Rue du Rhone or the Rue du Marche to see the expensive side of Geneva, home to many high-end shops and watchmakers; just remember, the price tags are not for the faint of heart!

As Lake Geneva is one of the largest bodies of water in Western Europe, it has naturally attracted the attention of watersports enthusiasts. Water skiing and sailing are some of the more popular activities, but you can also swim in the crystal clear waters of the lake. If traditional skiing is more your style, take a bus across the French border to Chamonix, where you can take a cable car up Mont-Blanc.

Bus service connects Geneva to more than the Alps, though. Carriers like FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus offer routes to Geneva from cities like Paris and Milan. Plus, Geneva is well-connected by its large international airport and train station, so you really have no reason to skip a visit to this gem.

Located at the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône rivers in the central-west of France, Lyon is France's third-largest city, after Paris and Marseille. Lyon has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its 2,000 years of history and its central role in the Renaissance. Vieux Lyon is the city's historic area, full of old buildings and a vibrant French atmosphere. Wander through the traboules, a unique architectural feature of the city; these secret passageways wind through Lyon's buildings and courtyards. Several guided tours will describe the many uses of these covered paths throughout Lyon's history: from shortcuts to the river for 4th-century residents to meeting places for 19th-century silk workers and the World War II French resistance.

Lyon is also famously hailed as the birthplace of cinema. To immerse yourself in film history, visit the Musée Cinéma et Miniature to explore old movie props, costumes, and even complete film sets from several iconic films. To experience a traditional French market, stop in Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse. This indoor gourmet market offers only the finest local produce, the perfect place to sample the local cuisine.

Getting to Lyon is simple, and the lion's share of options are via ground travel. Eurolines bus services offer transport from many European cities into the Perrache train station, and many train services, including the TGV, also operate from the same station. Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport is only 25 km east of the city, providing both European and intercontinental flights.