Are you visiting Paris and looking for the train stations guide? We’ve got you covered! If you’re visiting this wonderful city, you’ll most likely arrive or depart from one of its major railway stations.
Paris has an extensive and efficient rail network that connects the city to a variety of domestic and international locations. In this guide, we’ll look at the 6 key train stations in Paris and give you useful information to make your travel more pleasant.
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6 Major Train Stations In Paris Guide
1. Gare du Nord
Location: 18 Rue de Dunkerque, 75010 Paris, France
Operating Hours: 5:00 am to 1:00 am
The Paris Gare du Nord railway station is the biggest in Europe and among the globe’s third largest as well as busiest.
The station has a passenger capacity of around 650,000 persons and 2,000 train movements every day, which makes it the second-largest station globally in terms of passenger capacity. The station, which is located in the heart of Paris, provides easy access to many of the city’s key attractions.
The Paris Metro, the Reseau Express Régional (RER) railway system, and various bus lines serve the Gare du Nord. First time in France? Read our Buying Train Tickets in France guide.
At the station, two metro lines, lines 4 and 5, are in operation. Line 4 connects the north and south ends of Paris, while Line 5 extends to the Gare de Lyon, Pantin, and Bobigny.
Many amenities are available at the Gare du Nord railway station, including wireless internet access, gift shops, ATMs, cafes, registered luggage service, and currency exchange.
All travelers can use the departure lounge amenities at the train station, and there is a separate departure lounge for Eurostar passengers.
Popular Routes:
TGV: Tourcoign: Roubaix: Lille-Flandres
TGV: Dunkerque: Hazebrouck: Bethune: Lens: Arras
Intercites: Aulnay-sous-Bois: Crepy-en-Valois
TER: Mitry-Claye: Laon: Persan-Beaumont: Amiens
2. Gare de l’Est
Location: Rue du 8 Mai 1945, 75010 Paris, France
Operating Hours: 5:00 am to 1:00 am
The Gare de L’Est, often referred to as Paris Est, is one of the major railway stations in Paris, located not far from the Gare du Nord, but it also happens to be one of the oldest, serving the Alsace area of France as well as many other nations.
The Gare de L’Est is one of Paris’ primary railway terminals, with high-speed trains connecting tourists to a variety of cities and countries.
Visitors will discover a diverse selection of eateries, mixing well-known and creative names. It is also possible to browse for a diverse selection of national brands.
On the station rooftop, the visitor is in for an unforgettable experience. Its exquisite rosette glass canopy overhangs a bar and snack bar opposite one of Paris’ most unique vistas.
Popular Routes:
TGV: Reims: Charleville-Mezieres and Sedan: Nancy: Sarrebourg
Deutsche Bahn: Metz Ville: Saarbrucken Hbf: Gottingen: Hanover: Berlin
3. Gare de Lyon
Location: Tour de l’horloge, Pl. Louis-Armand, 75012 Paris, France
Operating Hours: 4:45 am to 1:30 am
Every year, 115 million people visit the Gare de Lyon, which is located in the heart of the 12th arrondissement. Trains depart towards France’s central and southern regions.
Was built in 1855 and renovated for the Universal Exhibition of 1900 by Toulon architect Marius Toudoire, the station is also known for its spectacular architectural elements. This ancient structure, which stands 67 meters tall, provides a panoramic perspective of the capital.
The Gare de Lyon has a terminus featuring flat-level entry between the taxi stand, concourse, and all platforms, making wheeled luggage easy to maneuver.
The SNCF ticket desk is located in the large tunnel that connects Hall 1 and Hall 2, parallel to Platform A.
There are two parts: Libre Service, where you may purchase your ticket using a computer terminal, and Conseil, where someone will arrange your tickets and passholder bookings for you.
Popular Routes:
TGV: Dijon to Bern: Lausanne and Zurich: Switzerland
TGV: Lyon Saint-Exupery Airport to Milan: Italy
4. Gare d’Austerlitz
Location: Passage Prince, 75013 Paris, France
Operating Hours: 5:30 am to Midnight
The Gare d’Austerlitz is a significant train station in Paris located on the left side of the Seine. It was previously known as the Gare d’Orleans.
Intercity trains go to many locations in France from the Gare d’Austerlitz. There used to be a dining establishment at this railway station, but due to renovations and growth, it was demolished.
However, you may be relieved to hear that there remain fast food and snack businesses at the station. Platforms have numbers from 1 to 21 from left to right, beginning with platform 1 on the north side.
The station’s main building, which houses the main hall and ticket office, is on the north side of the Seine, although if you come by metro or cab, you may wind yourself up arriving from the north side of the street.
Popular Routes:
Intercites: Limoges: Brive: Toulouse: Narbonne: and Cerbere
Lunea: Limoges: Portbou: Latour-de-Carol: and Luchon
Intercites: Vierzon: Bourges: and Montlucon
5. Gare Montparnasse
Location: 17 Bd de Vaugirard, 75015 Paris, France
Operating Hours: 4:30 am to 1:15 am
The Gare Montparnasse is one of Paris’s principal railway stations, serving over 50 million commuters each year, however, it is located in a completely different location from the old station and was only completed in the 1960s.
Gare Montparnasse is divided into three stations: Maine, Pasteur, and Vaugirard, along with the Paris Metro as well as local trains departing from Maine, however, they are all linked and collectively known as Gare Montparnasse.
Whatever ticket you buy will specify the station you will depart from, and ticket offices are generally open from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, although weekends might have shorter hours, with Sunday beginning at 10 a.m.
There is an admission on Rue du Pont des Cinq Martyrs which offers a link to the Pasteur Station, as well as another on Boulevard Vaugirard that offers access to Maine, both of which have a rapid pick-up and drop-off location situated here.
Popular Routes:
TER: Dreux and Granville and Versailles-Chantier: Le Mans
TGV: Tours: Bordeaux: Rennes: Nantes
6. Gare Saint-Lazare
Location: 13 Rue d’Amsterdam, 75008 Paris, France
Operating Hours: 5:00 am to 1:15 am
Gare Saint-Lazare, situated in the 8th arrondissement, within the center of Paris’s major commercial sector, receives 120 million visits every year. Trains leave the station for the western Paris Region and Normandy. Department shops are only a short distance away.
With approximately a hundred stores and restaurants spread across three levels, the station caters to all preferences, both for those in a hurry and those who want to shop leisurely and enjoy gourmet foods.
The Gare Saint-Lazare was also a source of inspiration for artists, particularly impressionist painters. The main ticket office is on the retail mall’s middle floor, towards the far east end.
A secondary ticket office is located near platform 27 at the extreme east end of the station concourse. There are self-service options and ticket machines located around the station concourse.
Popular Routes:
SNCF: Evreux-Normandie: Lisieux: Caen: and Cherbourg
SNCF: Vernon: Rouen & Le Havre
How to Use the RER
The RER in Paris is a network of mainline trains that also pass the city center in tunnels, therefore these trains are underground like the Metro in downtown Paris.
Consider them express Metro lines in the city center, as similar central Paris tickets/passes may be utilized on both the Metro and the RER trains.
They can be a better alternative than using the metro because they are faster and larger trains, making traveling with bags and other items easier.
If you want to get between the Gare Du Nord and the city’s left-side neighborhood on the south side of The Seine, RER line B is a better alternative than the Metro.
RER Line C provides the shortest connection between Austerlitz stations and places on the south bank of the Seine in downtown Paris.
Transportation From Train Stations
We’ll look at the options available from these railway stops to assist you in traversing the crowded streets of Paris.
Taxis
A taxi taking you from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon or the Gare d’Austerlitz costs between $21 and $27. All cabs in Paris should now accept credit cards in addition to cash.
Despite the fact that there is a long wait at the taxi rank, it moves rapidly, and you should get in a cab within 15 minutes of arriving. During the weekday rush hour, the cab ride from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon takes approximately 20 minutes.
When you reach the Gare du Nord, take a quick right from the Eurostar platform onto the main concourse, exit the station side at the main entrance, and the cab queue is immediately outside and to your right.
Avoid accepting taxis or private rental vehicles from touts, as they sometimes cost more than $80. For a standard-metered Parisian cab, always utilize the official taxi rank. When you leave, make sure the driver turns on the meter.
Private Transfers
Somebody will be looking for you when you exit the Paris train station, holding a card with your given name on it. There’s no reason to squander 10 minutes waiting for a cab.
A private minivan can seat up to 8 passengers and has lots of luggage space; most taxis are standard saloon cars that seat up to 4 passengers. A private transfer, on the other hand, may cost up to $70 which is much more than the $21-$27 you’d spend for a cab.
What is the Most Popular Train Station in France?
Every year, around 215 million people pass through Paris’s Gare du Nord. Outside of Japan, it is the busiest station in Europe and the globe.
The majority of customers at the station are commuters from cities and suburbs outside of Paris, with just 3% of passengers arriving by the Eurostar service from London, UK.
Final Thoughts on the Major Train Stations In Paris
Knowing the major railway stations in Paris is a must for anybody interested in the city’s rich history, culture, and interconnectedness. From the grandeur of Gare du Nord to the beauty of Gare de Lyon, each station provides a distinctive entry to Paris and its environs.
Understanding the structure and services of these stations is critical for a smooth and comfortable voyage, whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor.
Whether it’s the charming alleyways of Montmartre, the architectural treasures of Versailles, or the vineyards of Champagne, Paris’ railway stations are the beginning places for remarkable adventures.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.