Summary Navigating Paris Train Stations:
- The Two Types of Train For Getting Around Paris and the Outskirts
- For National and International Rail Travel from Paris
- Paris North Train Station: Gare du Nord
- Paris East Station: Gare de l’Est
- Paris Lyon Train Station: Gare de Lyon
- Paris Austerlitz Train Station: Gare d’Austerlitz
- Paris Montparnasse Train Station: Gare Montparnasse
- Paris Saint-Lazare Train Station: Gare Saint-Lazare
On the periphery of the Paris city core, there are six terminus rail stations, as you can see on the map. Each of them has specific destinations around France.
The Two Types of Train For Getting Around Paris and the Outskirts
These are the main types of train you’ll find in Paris:
- Metro: The Paris subway system, run by RATP. This is the network you will use most of the time for getting around Paris.
- RER: The suburban commuter rail, with some lines run by RATP and some by SNCP. You will mainly want to use the RER for reaching the airports, Versailles, and Disneyland.
You can enjoy unlimited travel on the Metro and the RER with the Paris Visite card.
For National and International Rail Travel from Paris
- National Rail: The inter-city rail network, run by SNCP, is efficient for getting around France. The fastest trains are the TGV.
- Eurostar: The train from Paris to London, via the Channel Tunnel, is a popular option for travelers.
- Thalys: Connects Paris to Brussels, Amsterdam, and several cities in Germany.
- TGV Lyria: This train travels from Paris to Switzerland.
Paris North Train Station: Gare du Nord
Address: 18 Rue de Dunkerque, 75010 Paris, France
If you’re entering Paris by rail from London, you’ve likely arrived via the Eurostar to Gare du Nord, the busiest station in Paris located on Rue de Dunkerque. Buses and the RER station are on the east side (turn left upon exiting), while taxis are on the west side of the station.
It is also possible to walk to Gare de l’Est from Gare du Nord if your luggage allows (turn left on Rue de Dunkerque; it’s about a 10-minute walk).
Paris East Station: Gare de l’Est
Address: 75010 Paris, France
Gare de l’Est, located in the 10th arrondissement, serves national destinations such as Champagne-Ardenne, Lorraine, and Alsace, with international services to Luxembourg, Germany, and Central Europe.
Métro lines 4 and 5 also link to Gare du Nord, while Line 7 is available at Gare de l’Est.
The LGV Est line expands the TGV network and connects to Eastern France, Luxembourg, Germany, and Switzerland from Gare de l’Est.
Paris Lyon Train Station: Gare de Lyon
Address: Pl. Louis Armand, 75012 Paris, France
Phone: +33 1 84 94 36 35
Gare de Lyon, named after the city of Lyon, provides intercity services to southern and eastern France, along with TGV services to various regions. Furthermore, there are international TGV services to Switzerland and Italy.
RER Line A, Line D, and Metro Lines 1 and 14 stop at Gare de Lyon.
You can catch the Air France Coach to Charles de Gaulle airport from Gare de Lyon. There are departures every thirty minutes.
Paris Austerlitz Train Station: Gare d’Austerlitz
Address: 75013 Paris, France
Trains from Gare d’Austerlitz serve central France, Nice, and Spain. This station is located in arrondissement 13, across the Seine from Gare de Lyon in the 12th.
Bus Access to Gare d’Austerlitz:
- Line 57 – Gare Lyon – Laplace
- Line 91 – Montparnasse 2 – Gare TGV – Bastille
- Line 63 – Gare Lyon – Porte la Muette
Subway: Lines 5 and 10
RER Line: Line C
Paris Montparnasse Train Station: Gare Montparnasse
Address: 17 Bd de Vaugirard, 75015 Paris, France
Phone: +33 890 17 75 98
Gare Montparnasse, located in the 14th arrondissement, serves both western and southwestern France with regular and TGV services.
Buses Access to Gare Montparnasse:
- Air France Line 4 to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
- Air France Line 1 to Orly Airport
- Line 28 Gare Saint Lazare – Porte d’Orléans
- Line 91 – Montparnasse 2 – Gare TGV – Bastille
Subway Lines: 4, 6, 12, and 13
Paris Saint-Lazare Train Station: Gare Saint-Lazare
Address: 13 Rue d’Amsterdam, 75008 Paris, France
Saint-Lazare rail station, located at 3, Rue d’Amsterdam in Arrondissement 8, provides rail services to Paris’ western suburbs and northwestern France. It is the second busiest rail station in Paris after Gare du Nord. Furthermore, Gare Saint-Lazare has been depicted in numerous artworks and films and is currently under restoration.
Métro Lines from Saint Lazare: lines 3, 12, 13, and 14
RER Line: Line E
