Paris Train Stations: Complete Guide to All 6 Major Stations

Paris is one of the great railway capitals of the world. With six major train stations serving destinations across France, Europe, and beyond, the French capital sits at the heart of one of the most extensive and efficient rail networks on earth. Whether you are arriving in Paris for the first time, catching a high-speed TGV to the south of France, or boarding the Eurostar to London, this complete guide to Paris train stations tells you everything you need to know.

The Six Major Paris Train Stations

Gare du Nord — The Busiest Station in Europe

Gare du Nord is not just the busiest train station in Paris — it is the busiest railway station in Europe, handling over 700,000 passengers every single day. Located in the 10th arrondissement on the Right Bank, it is the departure point for some of the most important international rail services in the world.

Key services from Gare du Nord:

Eurostar to London St Pancras (2h15) — the most popular international rail service in Europe

Thalys to Brussels (1h22), Amsterdam (3h18), and Cologne (3h14)

TGV to Lille (1h), Calais, and northern France

RER B to Charles de Gaulle Airport (35 minutes) and Orly Airport (via connection)

RER D to various Paris suburbs

Getting to Gare du Nord:

Metro: Lines 4, 5 — Gare du Nord station

RER: Lines B, D, E

Address: 18 Rue de Dunkerque, 75010 Paris

Gare de Lyon — Gateway to the South and Italy

One of the most beautiful railway stations in Paris, Gare de Lyon is famous for its magnificent 19th century clock tower — a Parisian landmark in its own right. Located in the 12th arrondissement, it serves the south of France, Switzerland, and Italy.

Key services from Gare de Lyon:

TGV to Lyon (2h), Marseille (3h), Nice (5h30), Bordeaux (3h15)

TGV to Geneva (3h), Lausanne, and Zurich

Trenitalia/TGV to Turin (3h30), Milan (7h), and Rome

RER A and D for Paris connections

Don't miss: Le Train Bleu — the extraordinary Belle Époque restaurant inside Gare de Lyon, listed as a historic monument, is one of the most spectacular dining rooms in Paris.

Getting to Gare de Lyon:

Metro: Lines 1, 14 — Gare de Lyon station

RER: Lines A, D

Address: Place Louis-Armand, 75012 Paris

Gare Montparnasse — High Speed to the West and Spain

Gare Montparnasse serves western France and Spain, and is the departure point for the TGV Atlantique — one of the fastest train services in the world. Located in the 15th arrondissement, it is also famous for the iconic Tour Montparnasse skyscraper that towers above it.

Key services from Gare Montparnasse:

TGV to Nantes (2h), Rennes (1h30), Bordeaux (2h04)

TGV to Tours, Le Mans, and the Loire Valley

Ouigo/TGV to Madrid and Barcelona via the French-Spanish border

TER regional trains to Brittany and Normandy

Getting to Gare Montparnasse:

Metro: Lines 4, 6, 12, 13 — Montparnasse-Bienvenüe station

Address: 17 Boulevard de Vaugirard, 75015 Paris

Gare de l'Est — Trains to Germany and Eastern Europe

Gare de l'Est serves eastern France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Austria. One of the oldest and most historic stations in Paris, it was from here that French soldiers departed for the front in both World Wars.

Key services from Gare de l'Est:

TGV/ICE to Strasbourg (1h46), Frankfurt (3h50), Stuttgart

TGV to Luxembourg (2h05), Basel, and Zurich

Intercités to Champagne, Lorraine, and Alsace

Night trains to Vienna, Munich, and beyond

Getting to Gare de l'Est:

Metro: Lines 4, 5, 7 — Gare de l'Est station

RER: Line E

Address: Place du 11 Novembre 1918, 75010 Paris

Gare Saint-Lazare — The Most Central Station

The most centrally located of all Paris train stations, Gare Saint-Lazare in the 8th arrondissement is the station immortalised by Claude Monet in his famous series of paintings. It serves Normandy and the western suburbs of Paris.

Key services from Gare Saint-Lazare:

Intercités to Rouen (1h20), Caen (2h), Cherbourg (3h)

Transilien suburban trains to Versailles and western suburbs

RER E for central Paris connections

Don't miss: The station itself is a historic landmark, and the nearby Place de l'Europe and Rue de Rome are among the most charming streets in the 8th arrondissement.

Getting to Gare Saint-Lazare:

Metro: Lines 3, 9, 12, 13, 14 — Saint-Lazare station

RER: Line E

Address: 13 Rue d'Amsterdam, 75008 Paris

Gare d'Austerlitz — The Quiet Giant

The least visited of the six major Paris stations, Gare d'Austerlitz in the 13th arrondissement serves the southwest of France and offers some of the most affordable long-distance rail connections from Paris.

Key services from Gare d'Austerlitz:

Intercités to Tours, Limoges, Toulouse, and Clermont-Ferrand

Night trains to southern France and Spain

RER C for connections to the Eiffel Tower and Versailles

Getting to Gare d'Austerlitz:

Metro: Line 5 — Gare d'Austerlitz station

RER: Line C

Address: 85 Quai d'Austerlitz, 75013 Paris

Practical Tips for Travelling by Train in Paris

Buying Train Tickets

Book TGV and Eurostar tickets as far in advance as possible — early booking offers the best prices, sometimes up to 70% cheaper than last-minute fares.

Use the SNCF Connect app or website for French domestic trains.

Use the Eurostar website for London services.

Ouigo offers low-cost TGV services on many routes — worth checking for budget travel.

Getting Between Paris Train Stations

All six major Paris train stations are well connected by metro and RER. The journey between most stations takes 20-40 minutes by public transport. A taxi between stations typically costs €15-25.

Paris Airport Connections

Charles de Gaulle Airport → Gare du Nord via RER B (35 minutes, €11.80)

Orly Airport → connected to RER B via the Orlyval shuttle (35 minutes total)

Beauvais Airport → shuttle bus to Porte Maillot (75 minutes)

Frequently Asked Questions about Paris Train Stations

What is the main train station in Paris?

Paris does not have a single main train station — it has six major stations, each serving different destinations. Gare du Nord is the busiest, handling over 700,000 passengers daily and serving Eurostar, Thalys, and northern France.

Which Paris train station is closest to the city centre?

Gare Saint-Lazare in the 8th arrondissement is the most centrally located station, just a short walk from the Opera and the grands magasins.

Which Paris train station serves London?

The Eurostar to London departs from Gare du Nord. The journey takes approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

Is there a train from Paris to the Eiffel Tower?

Yes — take RER C from any major station to the Champ de Mars — Tour Eiffel stop, which is just a 5 minute walk from the tower.