Paris-Nord to Paris-Lyon

Here's a guide to how to change from Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon, whether by pre-booked taxi, taxi rank or RER

There are several ways to transfer from Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon. The first is to take the RER (which is a suburban underground train, and a kind of part of the Metro).  An alternative is to use the taxi rank, which is located right outside Gare du Nord station. And another way is to pre-book a taxi so that the taxi is waiting for you already, when you arrive at Gare du Nord.

Let's look at each one, starting with the pre-booked taxis.


Prebooked taxis

Taxi driver waiting at Gare du NordTaxi driver waiting at Gare du NordPhoto: Daniel Elkan

The easiest way to change stations in Paris is with a pre-booked taxi. The driver either waits at the end of the train platform holding a card with your name on it, or at a pre-arranged meeting point just outside the station.

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 30 minutes in the taxi. However, you should allow a minimum of one hour in total (i.e. Eurostar arrival to onward train departure) 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.


Ski-Lifts prebooked taxis

We're pleased that Alpine transfer company, Ski-Lifts, are now offering a cross-Paris taxi transfer service to help skiers travelling by train to the Alps. A Ski-Lifts driver will meet you at the end of the Eurostar platform, holding a placard with your name on it. Ski-Lifts has a range of vehicles of various sizes and they can take skis and snowboards (you can indicate that you have skis or snowboards when making the booking).

Ski-Lifts: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon
Number of passengers Total cost for the taxi
1 - 7 65€
8+ Depends on size of group
Book Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon transfer with Ski-Lifts
Contact page: https://www.ski-lifts.com/contact-us/

C.A.T prebooked taxi

Another company that we can recommend is City Airport Transfers (the name belies the fact that they also offer taxi transfers between train stations in Paris).
You'll be met at the designated meeting point opposite the station. City Airport Transfers has a range of vehicles of various sizes, and they can take skis and snowboards.

City Airport Transfers: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon
Number of passengers Total cost for the taxi
1-3 35€
4-6 45€
7-8 60€
9+ check price online
Book Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon transfer: Book online
Enquiries and phone booking: +44 (0) 203 529 6985
Email contact and booking: contact City Airport Transfers by email
Help and contact page: https://city-airport-taxis.com/help

What's the pre-booked taxi service like?

Want to see what the pre-booked taxi service is like?

We've made a one-minute film about it to show exactly what it is like - and had quite a lot of fun doing it!

Certainly a good way of travel for a family or a group of friends. It just makes things very easy.


Taxi rank

Taxi rank at Paris Gare du NordTaxi rank at Paris Gare du NordPhoto: Daniel Elkan

When 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, you rarely wait more than 10 minutes.

The journey time from Paris-Nord to Paris-Lyon takes around 20 - 30 minutes.

The price from Paris-Nord to Paris-Lyon is 15€ - 20€ per four-person taxi. These can carry skis or snowboards.  There is normally a 1€ charge per big piece of luggage such as a suitcase or snowboard bag.

You can see Daniel (Snowcarbon co-founder) use the taxi rank in this plane vs train race to the Alps.

Be sure that you're taking a licensed taxi from the actual taxi rank to avoid any scams. If someone approaches you randomly offering you a taxi, politely decline and just head to the taxi rank. 

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)

RER from Paris Gare de Lyon to Paris Gare du NordRER between Paris Gare du Nord and Paris Gare de LyonPhoto: Daniel Elkan

The RER is a suburban train running through Paris, similar to a Metro train.

The actual RER part of journey between Paris-Nord and Paris-Lyon takes 15 minutes, with trains running every six minutes. 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.

This is a blog article by Daniel, Snowcarbon's Founder, when he travelled by RER from Paris-Nord to Paris-Lyon and documented his experience.

A ticket for the RER 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.

The excellent ShowMeTheJourney website has a step-by-step guide to how to take the RER from the Gare Du Nord to Gare De Lyon.


new exterior
L'Europeen

Restaurants at Paris-Lyon: L'Europeen

Situated: 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


new exterior
Le Train Bleu

Restaurants at Paris-Lyon: Le Train Bleu

Situated: 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


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