Stations, Fares, and Reservations !!!!!!^^

If you are traveling to Paris from within continental Europe or from the U.K., traveling to Paris by train can be a great alternative to flying. For one thing, Europe counts more and more bullet trains (called TGV for 'high-speed train' in France) that can cut rail travel time down by half. The Eurostar train connects London to Paris via the channel tunnel, or "chunnel", making for a truly unforgettable experience. There's also the advantage of foregoing endless airport check-in and security lines-- not to mention getting a closer glimpse of the French and/or European countryside. If you have some extra time and you're traveling to Paris from elsewhere in Europe, rail travel may be the right option for you.

Main Paris Train Stations

Paris has six major train stations serving both domestic and international destinations.

*Gare du Nord is the hub for trains traveling from the U.K., Northern France and Northern Europe. The Eurostar train arrives at Gare du Nord from London.

*Gare de Lyon is a destination for trains from Lyon, Aix en Provence, Marseille, the French Riviera, Geneva, and Italy. Many of the trains arriving at Gare de Lyon are bullet trains. For example, you can get from Lyon to Paris in 2 hours and from Marseille to Paris in 3 hours.

*Gare d'Austerlitz serves destinations in southwestern France (Toulouse, Bordeaux), the Loire Valley, and Spain.

*Gare Saint-Lazare serves Normandy (central Northern France) and England (non-Eurostar).

*Gare de l'Est is the hub for trains coming from Eastern France (Strasbourg, Alsace), parts of Germany, Luxembourg, and central Eastern Europe.

*Gare Montparnasse is mostly reserved for bullet trains serving Nantes and Bordeaux.