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Simon HarperShare
If you want to opt to make the transfer between the Gare De Lyon and the Gare Du Nord by public transport, taking the RER train is the best option.
The positives are:
(1) It’s comparatively fast; it’s a two station hop on Ligne D (Nord), so you SHOULD be on the concourse at Gare Du Nord, within 25 mins of entering the RER station at the Gare de Lyon.
(2) It’s comparatively cheap as a single central zone metro ticket can also be used on the RER.
(3) It’s generally reliable, you won’t have to wait more than 10 minutes for a train and delays are very rare.
1. Accessing the RER:
’You will need to access RER Line D by passing through the Hall 3 at Gare De Lyon.
It is at at lower level to where the TGV and Lyria trains arrive, but how you access Hall 3 will depend on which part of the station your train has arrived at.
The RER station is at one end of the Hall 3 concourse.
(This view above of Hall 3 was taken from the entrance to the RER station, looking in the OPPOSITE direction towards Hall 2).
If your TGV or Lyria train has arrived at voies (tracks/platforms) 5 -23:
The only exit is to walk ahead towards the front of the train.
You will then be on the Hall 2 concourse, the access down into Hall 3 will be in the middle of the concourse.
In the image above of the Hall 2 concourse, platforms/voies 5 -23 are over to the right.
On the left of the image, above the rounded Hall 2 sign, is the sign hanging down from the roof which is above the atrium leading down to Hall 3, so look for this sign when you step on to the concourse.
Be prepared to have to navigate through the crowds of people waiting for trains.
The entrance to the RER will then be at the far end of Hall 3.
If your TGV or Lyria train has arrived at voies (tracks/platforms) A - N:
Don’t walk ahead to the far end of the voie/platform at the front of the train.
Instead use the stairs and escalators you will see along the voie/platform, they will have the RER symbol on the signs above them and they lead down into Hall 3.
One of the sets of stairs leading down to Hall 3 can be seen in this view above of voie C; there also escalators available.
If you’re travelling in the front 3 – 4 coaches of the train, these stairs/escalators to the RER, leading down to Hall 3, will be behind you when you step off the train
Don’t be tempted to head to the Hall 1 concourse, which you will see ahead of you, the easiest access will be via Hall 3.
When you’re in Hall 3 you will have to turn to the left or right depending which set of stairs and escalators you will have used.
What you need to do is head in the opposite direction to the atrium which connects this Hall 3 to Hall 2.
2. Entering the RER station:
When you reach the end of Hall 3 and see the RER ticket halls ahead of you, the entrance to Line D will be over to the left.
The ticket machines are also over to the left.
3. Buying a ticket(s):
Your end-2-end train journey ticket will not include the RER.
Buy a t+ ticket at the counter or machine; the machines have excellent English translation, but look out for the easy to miss 'confirm your purchase' button.
Though at busy times and/or when the staffed ticket office is closed queues can build up for the ticket machines; it can take more than 10 mins to buy a ticket.
Or you can buy a single journey t+ ticket on your phone, if need be while you're on the train to Paris.
4. To the train:
You need to take a Ligne D (Nord) train.
When you have descended to the platform remain in the area at the foot of the escalators/stairs.
It will be the most crowded part of the platform/voie, but you will then be able to board towards the rear of the train when it arrives; and this is the best option, as explained below.
ALL Line D trains heading north will be calling at Gare De Lyon.
5. Boarding the RER:
The train will be double deck, but don’t bother with finding a seat.
It’s easier to wait by the doors as the travel time is only around 7–8 mins, though allow room for people to alight and board at the intermediate station, Châtelet – Les Halles.
6. Exiting the RER at the Gare du Nord:
On arrival at Gare Du Nord there are multiple sets of escalators and lifts leading to the level above.
Those located nearest to the rear of the train will have the quickest and least confusing access to the main line departure concourse.
7. Heading to your onward connection:
Follow the signs pointing to the 'Grande Lignes' trains.
You will exit from a passage way, which resembles a shopping mall, into an atrium from where you will see the main concourse at the Gare Du Nord above you.
If you have used the escalator which will be on the platform, which you will find towards the rear of the train, then when you have ascended you will see this atrium ahead of you.
In this view above right, the exit from the RER station is over to the left and the escalator in the middle of the picture is the main link up to the main departure concourse.
8. Up to the main concourse:
Take the escalators or lifts up to the main concourse, where the trains will be lined up at their respective voies/platforms over to the right.
Walk ahead of you to access the part of the concourse adjacent to where the TGVs and Thalys trains depart from.
9. To Eurostar departures:
When you have ascended up to the main concourse, you will have to go up another level to access Eurostar departures – the ‘Hall du Londres’.
The signage isn’t the best, but the escalators and lifts (ascenseur) leading up to Eurostar departures are located on the opposite side of the concourse to voies (platforms/tracks) 14 - 15.
Look out for the Union Jack on the rear wall of the station concourse.
Eurostar is currently recommending that that Standard Class And Standard Premier ticket holders should be at the Eurostar departure area 90-120 mins before departure; and that Business Premier ticket holders should be there 45-60mins prior to departure.
The departure gates will close 45 mins prior to departure for Standard Class And Standard Premier ticket holders; and 15 mins prior to departure for Business Premier ticket holders
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Simon Harper
I wanted to share my passion for train travel and explain how anyone can take the fantastic journeys I have taken.
This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney, which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.
This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.
We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.
Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.
So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please consider saying thank you.
