Which Paris Train Station for Which Destination: A Guide

Paris has six major train stations, and each one serves a different part of France and Europe. Picking up the wrong one on a ticket is an easy mistake, and a costly one if you arrive with heavy luggage. This guide explains what each station is for, so you know where you are heading before you leave your hotel.

The short version

• •Gare du Nord: London (Eurostar), Brussels, Amsterdam, Lille, and northern France
• •Gare de l'Est: Strasbourg, Reims, Luxembourg, and southern Germany
• •Gare de Lyon: Lyon, Marseille, Nice, the Alps, and Switzerland
• •Gare d'Austerlitz: some night trains and services to the southwest
• •Gare Montparnasse: Brittany, Bordeaux, and the Atlantic coast
• •Gare Saint-Lazare: Normandy, including Rouen and Deauville

Always check the station printed on your ticket. Some cities are served by more than one station, and timetables change.

Gare du Nord: London, Brussels, Amsterdam

This is the busiest station in Europe and the one most international visitors use. Eurostar trains to London leave from here, as do high-speed trains to Brussels and Amsterdam. Border and security checks for Eurostar take time, so plan to arrive well ahead of departure, following the instructions on your ticket.

The area around the station is busy and can feel confusing on arrival. If you are carrying luggage, a pre-booked driver removes the need to find a taxi rank. There is a dedicated page for taxi service at Gare du Nord.

Gare de l'Est: Strasbourg, Reims, Germany

Gare de l'Est sits close to Gare du Nord, within walking distance for people with light bags. It handles trains to Alsace, Champagne, Luxembourg, and southern Germany. It is smaller and easier to navigate than its neighbour.

Gare de Lyon: the south and the Alps

Gare de Lyon is the departure point for Lyon, Marseille, Nice, and the Mediterranean. It also serves ski destinations in the Alps and services to Switzerland and Italy. The station has two levels and a large main hall, and platforms are announced only shortly before departure, so allow time to find yours. The station building is also home to a well-known restaurant, Le Train Bleu, if you have time to spare.

Gare d'Austerlitz: smaller and quieter

Gare d'Austerlitz is on the left bank of the Seine. It is used for some night trains and some regional and long-distance services towards central and southwestern France. Many travellers heading to Bordeaux or Toulouse use Montparnasse instead, so check your ticket.

Gare Montparnasse: Brittany and the Atlantic coast

Montparnasse serves Rennes, Nantes, Bordeaux, and Brittany, including the connections towards Mont-Saint-Michel. It is a large station with long walks between the platforms and the exits. Allow extra time if you are not used to the layout.

Gare Saint-Lazare: Normandy

Saint-Lazare sends trains to Rouen, Le Havre, Caen, and the Normandy coast, including routes used for visiting the D-Day beaches. It is also useful for suburban lines. The station is close to the department stores on Boulevard Haussmann.

Getting between the stations and your hotel

Paris is compact, but moving between stations with suitcases is tiring. Metro stairs, long corridors, and rush-hour crowds make it harder than it looks on a map. A private transfer is a straightforward alternative.

From central Paris, the fixed price to or from any of the six main stations is €39 in a standard car, €59 in a VIP sedan, or €75 in a 7-seat van. Tolls are included, and these are daytime rates; a night surcharge may apply. Payment is at the end of the ride by card, cash, or bank transfer, and an invoice is sent right after. See the page on Paris train station transfers for details.

• •The standard car and VIP sedan take 1 to 4 passengers.
• •The 7-seat van takes 5 to 7 passengers and 4 to 6 large suitcases.
• •Child seats are provided free of charge.
• •Your driver tracks your train, so a delay does not affect your pickup. Fifteen minutes of waiting are included, then waiting is charged.

Changing stations during a trip

If you arrive at one station and leave from another, for example Eurostar into Gare du Nord and a train to Normandy from Saint-Lazare, leave plenty of time between connections. Crossing Paris can take from 20 minutes to over an hour depending on traffic. A transfer between two stations is quoted on request or through the instant online estimate.

Practical tips

• •Check your station name on the ticket the day before.
• •Arrive early at Gare du Nord if you are taking Eurostar.
• •Keep valuables close in crowded halls.
• •Book your transfer in advance, particularly at weekends and holiday periods. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before pickup; within 24 hours the full fare is due.

Ready to travel? Book your station transfer online and your driver will be there on time.