Top Train Stations in Paris: A Comprehensive Guide

Paris Est (Gare de l’Est) is one of the largest and oldest railway stations in Paris. Originally named the Strasbourg Platform, this historical station opened its doors in 1849. As a key terminus for the Paris-Strasbourg railway, it saw its name change in 1854 to Gare de l’Est, with its services expanding to Mulhouse. Moreover, in 1883, it commenced the famous Orient Express services, connecting Paris to Istanbul. Notably, Gare de l’Est played a critical role in transporting French troops during World War I.

Consequently, today, Gare de l’Est serves as a crucial terminus for routes to eastern France and major cities across Europe, including Zurich in Switzerland, Munich in Germany, and Vienna in Austria.

Services from Gare de l’Est

TGV services operate to prominent cities such as:

• Reims, Charleville-Mezieres, Sedan, Metz Ville, Nancy, Sarrebourg, Saverne
• Strasbourg, Colmar, Mulhouse
• Champagne-Ardenne TGV: Chalons-en-Champagne, Vitry-le-Francois, and Bar-le-Duc

In addition, Deutsche Bahn operates a City Night Line to:

• Metz Ville, Saarbrucken Hbf, Gottingen, Hanover, and Berlin

Practical Information

• Address: Place du 11 Novembre, Paris 10
• Information on Paris Gare de l’Est
• Operating Hours: 5 AM to 1 AM

Transport Links to Gare de l’Est

• Metro:
  Ligne 4: Porte de Clignancourt to Porte d’Orleans
  Ligne 5: Bobigny-Pablo Picasso to Port d’Italie
  Ligne 7: La Courneuve 8 Mai 1945 to Ville Juif to Louis Aragon
• For a comprehensive bus schedule, refer to the Paris Bus map.

To Charles de Gaulle Airport

Utilize the RER (Regional Express Railway) train Line B directly to the airport for convenient access.

Gare du Nord Overview

Gare du Nord (or Paris Nord) was constructed between 1861 and 1864, earning recognition as the busiest railway station in Europe. It primarily serves as the main station for trains traveling to northern France, in addition to being the Eurostar hub connecting London, Lille, and Brussels. This station operates both TGV and SNCF trains.

Eurostar services arrive from major cities including London, Brussels, and Lille.

Services from Gare du Nord

TGV services are available to:

• Tourcoing, Roubaix, Lille-Flandres
• Calais-Ville, Calais-Frethun, Lille-Europe
• Rang-du-Fliers-Verton, Etaples-Le Touquet, Boulogne-Ville
• Dunkerque, Hazebrouck, Bethune, Lens, Arras
• Saint-Omer
• Valenciennes, Douai

Practical Information

• Address: 112 rue de Maubeuge, Paris 10
• Information on Paris Gare du Nord

Operating Hours: 5 AM to 1 AM

Transport Links to Gare du Nord

• Metro:
  Ligne 4: Porte de Clignancourt to Porte d’Orleans
  Ligne 5: Bobigny Pablo Picasso to Place d’Italie
• For a comprehensive bus schedule, refer to the Paris Bus map.

To Charles de Gaulle Airport

Utilize the RER (Regional Express Railway) train Line B for direct transfers to the airport.

Gare de Lyon Overview

Paris Gare de Lyon is among the busiest stations in both France and Europe. Originally built for the World Exposition of 1900, this magnificent building showcases a large clock tower, dominating its appearance.

Moreover, even for those not using the station, a visit to the exquisite restaurant, Le Train Bleu is highly recommended. This Belle Epoque establishment impresses with its cathedral-like decorations and lavish murals on both the walls and ceilings.

Furthermore, Gare de Lyon serves destinations including Lyon, Marseille, Paris, Geneva, and Milan.

Services from Gare de Lyon

Some of the most popular TGV services include:

• Le Creusot and southeastern France
• Montbard
• Dijon to Bern, Lausanne, and Zurich, Switzerland
• Macon-Loche TGV to Geneve-Comavin
• Lyon Saint-Exupery Airport to Milan, Italy

Practical Information

• Address: 20 boulevard Diderot, Paris 12
• Gare de Lyon
• Operating Hours: 3:30 AM to 1:30 AM

Transport Links to Gare de Lyon

• Metro:
  Ligne 1: La Defence to Chateau de Vincennes
  Ligne 14: Saint Lazarre to Bibliotheque Francois Mitterand
• For a comprehensive bus schedule, refer to the Paris Bus map.

To Charles de Gaulle Airport

Air France Coach line 4 is available, departing every 30 minutes for airport accessibility.

Gare Montparnasse Overview

Initially opened in 1840 as Gare de l’Ouest, Gare Montparnasse is particularly famous for the Granville-Paris Express derailment incident. Following a significant rebuild in 1969, the station expanded its services in 1990 to incorporate TGV Atlantique routes heading towards the west and southwest of France.

Services from Gare Montparnasse

• Gare Montparnasse focuses on routes to west and southwest France, southern Normandy, and northern Spain.

Popular TGV services encompass:

• Tours, Bordeaux, Rennes, and Nantes.

Additionally, TER services run to Dreux, Granville, and Versailles-Chantier, heading towards Le Mans.

Practical Information

• Address: 17, boulevard Vaugirard, Paris 15
• Information on Gare Montparnasse
• Operating Hours: 4:30 AM to 1:15 AM

Transport Links to Gare Montparnasse

• Metro:
  • Ligne 4: Porte de Clignancourt to Porte d’Orleans
  • Ligne 6: Charles de Gaulle to Etoile toward Nation
  • Ligne 12: Porte de la Chapelle to Mairie d’Issy
  • Ligne 13: Saint-Denis-Universite to Chatillon-Montrouge
• For a comprehensive bus schedule, refer to the Paris Bus map.

To Charles de Gaulle Airport

Air France Coach line 4 operates every 30 minutes for easy airport transfer.

Gare d’Austerlitz Overview

Paris Gare d’Austerlitz was constructed in 1840 for the Paris-Corbeil and Paris-Orleans line and renamed in honor of the Czech town where Napoleon I triumphed. Although it lost many long-distance services with the construction of the TGV Atlantique route, it remains significant, providing services to south-central France and night routes to both southern France and Spain.

Services from Gare d’Austerlitz

No TGV trains operate from Austerlitz.

However, popular Intercites services include:

• Orléans, Blois, and Tours
• Vierzon, Bourges, and Montluçon
• Limoges, Brive, Toulouse, Narbonne, and Cerbère

Lunea night services operate to:

• Orléans, Dax, and Tarbes
• Limoges, Portbou, Latour-de-Carol, and Luchon
• Toulouse and Albi
• Toulon and Nice

The Elipsos Train Hotels (Trenhotel) operated by RENFE and SNCF runs from here to Madrid and Barcelona, departing around 7:30 PM and arriving the following morning.

Practical Information

• Address: 55, quai d’Austerlitz, Paris 13
• Information on Gare d’Austerlitz
• Hours of Operation: 5:30 AM to midnight

Transport Links to Gare d’Austerlitz

• Metro:
  • Ligne 10: Austerlitz to Boulogne Pont de St-Cloud
  • Ligne 5: Bobigny Pablo Picasso to Place d’Italie
• For a comprehensive bus schedule, refer to the Paris Bus map.

To Orly Airport

Board the RER train C, departing every 15 minutes for direct access to Orly Airport.

Gare Saint-Lazare Overview

Paris Saint-Lazare was built 150 meters northwest of its current location, opening in 1837. This significant station has undergone rapid expansion and by 1900, it became a vital terminus for nine lines, serving the needs of northern France efficiently.

Services from Paris Saint-Lazare

SNCF Intercity services connect with:

• Vernon, Rouen & Le Havre
• Évreux-Normandie, Lisieux, Caen, and Cherbourg
• Trouville-Deauville
• Dieppe

Practical Information

• Address: 13, Rue d’Amsterdam, Paris 8
• Information on Gare St Lazare
• Opening Hours: 5 AM to 1:15 AM

Transport Links to Gare Saint-Lazare

• Metro:
  • Ligne 3: Porte de Levallois-Becon to Gallieni
  • Ligne 12: Porte de la Chapelle to Mairie d’Issy
  • Ligne 13: Saint-Denis-Universite to Chatillon-Montrouge
  • Ligne 14: Saint Lazare to Bibliotheque Francois Mitterand
• For a comprehensive bus schedule, refer to the Paris Bus map.

To Charles de Gaulle Airport

To reach the airport, take the RER train E to Magenta, then transfer to the RER B heading to the airport.