Getting from Paris Gare du Nord to Gare de l’Est or Gare de Lyon stations are fortunately easy as many train passengers have to transfer between these stations in Paris to continue their journeys to other parts of France, Germany, and Switzerland. Eurostar trains stop at Gare du Nord, while many TGV trains depart from Gare de l’Est or Gare de Lyon.
Eurostar trains arrive in Paris at Gare du Nord station while many TGV trains depart from Gare de l’Est or Gare de Lyon when traveling to the south and east of France, Switzerland, Germany, and beyond. Thus rail passengers traveling through Paris often have to change not only trains but stations as well. Generally, the easiest way to transfer between stations in Paris is to use the Metro or suburban RER trains but for small groups, it may be worth considering a taxi or even a private shuttle service. The transfer from Gare du Nord to Gare de l’Est is the easiest, as it is usually the fastest to walk. The transfer from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon is best done by RER train – plan an hour between trains.
Eurostar Trains at Gare du Nord Station in Paris, France
Paris-Gare du Nord (North Station) is used by several high-speed long-distance trains including Eurostar from London and TGV Thalys trains from Northern France, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne (Köln). From Gare du Nord, many train passengers have to transfer to different Parisian stations in order to continue their journeys to the rest of France or other parts of Paris itself.
Fortunately, Paris-Gare du Nord has good Metro and RER train connections to other parts of Paris. Transfers to Paris-Gare de l’Est and Gare de Lyon are fairly simple but allow at least 60 minutes or more (plus check-in time if using the Eurostar) between train arrival and departure times.
Easy Transfers from Paris-Gare du Nord to Gare de l’Est Station
Walking is generally the easiest way to transfer from Paris-Gare du Nord (North Station) to Gare de l’Est (East Station). Two walking routes are available:
- The fastest walk from Paris-Gare du Nord to Paris-Gare de l’Est station is about ten minutes but does involve stairs. From Paris-Gare du Nord walk along Rue de Dunkerque and turn right at Rue d’Alsace and follow the stairs down to the station entrance. (On the reverse journey, follow the “Sortie Rue d’Alsace” signs in Gare de l’Est.)
- The alternative route from Paris-Gare du Nord to Paris-Gare de l’Est is flat and takes around 20 minutes. It follows main roads and thus also suitable at odd hours. From Gare du Nord, follow Boulevard de Denain to Boulevard de Magenta and continue along Rue du 8 Mai 1945.
Transfer passengers unfamiliar with the stations should allow at least 45 minutes between the arrival and departure of trains between these two stations. Also, keep in mind the extra check-in times required for Eurostar passengers.
Easy Transfers from Gare du Nord to Paris-Gare de Lyon Station
Changing from Paris-Gare du Nord (North Station) to Paris-Gare de Lyon (Lyon Station) is easiest on RER train D.
- From Paris-Gare du Nord, take RER train D in the direction Melun or Malesherbes to reach Paris-Gare de Lyon.
- From Paris-Gare de Lyon, take RER train D in the direction Orry la Ville to Paris-Gare du Nord.
RER train D runs around every six minutes or so with the train ride around half an hour. However, allow at least an hour for the transfer, as a fair bit of walking and stairs (or elevator rides) are involved. Most railway reservation sites recommend 90 minutes to two hours and bear check-in times for the Eurostar in mind too if applicable.
RER lines A and B also operate on this route but require a train change at Chateles Les Halles, which is hardly worth the effort as RER D trains run direct up to ten times per hour.
RER tickets are currently around €2 – tickets or a carnet of ten may often be bought on Eurostar and TGV stations. Otherwise, buy single tickets from the station ticket machines.
Fast Transfers by Taxi from Gare du Nord to Paris-Gare de Lyon Station
Traveling times by car between Paris-Gare du Nord and Paris-Gare de Lyon is almost the same as traveling by RER. It is thus worth considering taking a taxi too when traveling in a small group, with bulky luggage, small children, or the infirm. Expect to pay at least €25 for the trip from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon on a pre-booked shuttle service. If not booking a taxi in advance, the rate is by the meter.
Traveling times by high-speed trains from Paris to London, Brussels, Germany, Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, the south and east of France, and even Switzerland can be very short. However, the transfer time required when having to change stations in Paris remains a major hindrance to high-speed rail travel through France and Western Europe.