Changing trains in Paris

Since most journeys by train from the UK go via Paris, we've penned a quick guide to changing trains in Paris. These are the most common interchanges between Paris stations (between the Eurostar terminal at Gare du Nord and major train stations) , but if you want advice on another route just ask.

Useful links:
Paris Metro Map
Metro route planner
Loco2 Cycle Scheme post

Search for trains to Paris

Changing trains in Paris

From Gare du Nord to Gare de l'Est
It's an easy-peasy ten minute walk. Here's a map of the quickest route (with stairs). Or take this slightly different route on busier roads, but with no stairs. Or you can take a very short taxi ride for around €10.

From Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon
At the end of the Eurostar platform look for signs to the RER line D. Once you've bought your ticket follow the signs to 'RER D direction Melun / Malesherbes'. So long as you're heading the right direction, all the trains on this line stop at Gare de Lyon. The trip takes around 7 minutes, and there's just one stop on the way - Chatelet-les-Halles. The whole journey between stations should take no longer than 25 minutes.

From Gare du Nord to Gare d'Austerlitz
As you approach the end of the Eurostar look for signs to the Metro Line 5, direction Place d'Italie. It's direct line and should take you around 20 minutes.There are 9 stops between you and Gare d'Austerlitz. The exit from the Metro is opposite the main entrance to the station.

From Gare du Nord to Gare de Bercy
At the end of the Eurostar platform, bear left and look for RER line D. Follow the signs for 'RER D direction Melun / Malesherbes' and stay on the train for the short ride to Gare du Lyon (as above). Once there you can opt to complete the last 1km on street level on foot or by taxi, or board the Metro line 14, direction Olympiades and go one stop to Bercy.

From Gare du Nord to Gare Montparnasse
Follow signs from the Eurostar to the Metro, looking out for signs to Metro line 4 direction Porte d'Orleans or Mairie de Montrouge. This is a direct line which will take you to Montparnasse Bienvenue in a little less than 25 minutes. This map shows all the stops on Metro line 4 - Montparnasse is the 14th stop. Once you arrive there's a bit of a walk and stairs between the Metro at Montparnasse Bienvenue and the mainline station. There's an underground subway with moving walkways (like in an airport). See this map to see the subway (the Metro is on level -1) Map of Montparnasse station.

From Gare de l'Est to Gare du Nord
Walking between Gare de L'est and Gare du Nord is a simple route that takes less than ten minutes. Theres little point taking the Metro since it's just one stop and you'll walk almost as much going up and down the stairs into the Metro. Here's a map. You can also opt to take a ten minute taxi ride for around €10.

From Gare d'Austerlitz to Gare du Nord
Hope on a train on Metro line 5 (the orange line), northbound direction: Bobigny Pablo Picasso. It's a direct line and the journey should take no more than 20 minutes. There are 9 stops on the way to Gare du Nord and when you alight you will see plenty of signs to exit the metro, onward domestic trains and to the Eurostar terminal (which is upstairs in Gare du Nord).

From Gare de Bercy to Gare du Nord
From Gare de Bercy there are a couple of options to reach Gare du Nord. You can choose to hop on Metro Line 6 (direction Charles de Gaulle Étoile) and go four stops to Place d’Italie, and then change onto Metro Line 5 and travel northbound (direction Bobigny Pablo Picasso) all the way to Gare du Nord. Alternatively, you can walk from Bercy to Gare de Lyon and the get the northbound RER (direction Orry-la-Ville–Coye) direct to Paris Nord. This is probably the faster route since the RER only stops a couple of times.

From Gare Montparnasse to Gare du Nord
At Gare Montparnasse you will need to walk around 700m through an underground subway to get from the main train station to the Metro at Montparnasse Bienvenue. It's well signposted, but bear in mind that there are some steps and you'll need to walk around 700m so you should leave extra time if you need it. Here's a map of Montparnasse station to give you an idea of what to expect. From Montparnasse Bienvenue look for Metro line 4 northbound (direction Porte de Clignancourt) and travel direct to Gare du Nord. It's around 14 stops and will take around 25 minutes.