Paris-Nord to Paris-Lyon
Changing from Paris-Nord to Paris-Lyon is easy by pre-booked taxi, the taxi rank or the RER.
Pre-booked taxi - (the easiest way)
photo:Daniel Elkan Driver waiting at end of platformYou can stations in Paris most easily with a pre-booked taxi. The driver waits at the end of the platform holding a card with your name on it.
The vehicles are spacious and can take skis and snowboards (at no extra cost). If your train is delayed (rare) the driver will wait for you. All the drivers speak English.
The drive from Paris-Nord to Paris-Lyon takes around 15 - 25 minutes in the taxi.
The company that we recommend is a British company called Easyairportaxis (obviously you are not being picked up from the train station, not the airport!).
The price for Paris-Nord to Paris-Lyon is:
| Number of passengers | Total cost for the taxi |
| 1-3 | 55€ |
| 4-6 | 60€ |
| 7-8 | 65€ |
You can book online, or call +44 (0) 203 432 9333 or email them: bookings@easyairporttaxis.com
You should allow a minimum of one hour in total (i.e. train to train) for the change from Paris-Nord to Paris-Lyon, to be on the safe side, and more if you want to stop for lunch, obviously.
Taxi rank
photo:Daniel Elkan The taxi rank at Paris-NordWhen you arrive at Paris-Nord on a Eurostar, you can turn right and exit the station (30 metres) and the taxi rank is right there.
Taxis arrive constantly and even when there is a queue, it rarely lasts more than 10 minutes.
The journey time from Paris-Nord to Paris-Lyon takes around 15 - 20 minutes.
The price from Paris-Nord to Paris-Lyon is 15€ - 20€ per four-person taxi. These can carries skis or snowboards. There is normally a 1€ charge per big piece of luggage.
You can see Daniel (Snowcarbon co-founder) use the taxi rank in this plane vs train race to the Alps
You should allow a minimum of one hour in total (i.e. train to train) for the change from Paris-Nord to Paris-Lyon, to be on the safe side, and more if you want to stop for lunch, obviously.
RER (like the Metro, but simpler)
photo:Daniel Elkan A sign for the RERThe RER is a suburban train running through Paris, similar to a Metro train.
The journey between Paris-Nord and Paris-Lyon takes 15 minutes, with trains running every six minutes. A ticket costs about 2€, and you can save time by buying a carnet of 10 from a Eurostar or TGV cafe-bar. Allow 50 minutes for the transfer in total.
Take RER Line D towards Melun or Malesherbes (alight at Gare de Lyon)
There are escalators and lifts to take you to and from the platforms. Don't struggle up the first stairs you see – take a moment to look for the escalator or lift, or ask someone. The French for "escalator" is "escalator" and "lift" is "ascenseur."
The ticket entry gates on the Metro/RER can be a bit narrow to enter with a wide suitcase. Look for the wide-entry gate, which has a button that you press for it to open.
You should allow a minimum of one hour in total (i.e. train to train) for the change from Paris-Nord to Paris-Lyon, to be on the safe side, and more if you want to stop for lunch, obviously.
Restaurants at Paris-Lyon: L'Express Bleu
photo:Daniel Elkan L'Express BleuSituated: Inside the station, ground floor, opposite the train platforms
Address: 1er étage Gare de Lyon, Place Louis Armand
Cuisine: French
Price for a main course: €12 - €16
English spoken: Yes
Space to store bags/skis:
Reservation: Not required
Opening times: 06.00 - 22.00 everyday
Website:
Phone: 00 33 1 44 75 76 84
Restaurants at Paris-Lyon: L'Europeen
photo:Daniel Elkan L'EuropeenSituated: Opposite the station
Address: 21 Bis Boulevard Diderot, 75012, Paris
Cuisine: Mediterranean, seafood and fish are the specialties
Price for a main course: €13 - €35
English spoken:
Space to store bags/skis:
Reservation: Advised
Opening times: 07.30 – 01.00 everyday
Website: www.rest-gj.com/europeen-1.html
Phone: 0033 1 43 43 99 70
Restaurants at Paris-Lyon: Le Train Bleu
photo:Daniel Elkan Le Train BleuSituated: Inside the station, first floor
Address: 1er étage Gare de Lyon, Place Louis Armand
Cuisine: French
Price for a main course: €28 - €42, set menus from €49
English spoken: Yes
Space to store bags/skis:
Reservation: Advised
Opening times: 11.30 - 15.00 and 19.00 - 23.00
Website: www.le-train-bleu.com
Phone: 00 33 1 43 43 09 06
Email: reservation.trainbleu@ssp.fr