Is Gare de Lyon hard to navigate?

How early should I get to Gare de Lyon for a train?

Dude, Gare de Lyon? That’s a zoo! Think rush hour Times Square, but with fancier luggage. Thirty minutes, minimum. Fifteen minutes? You’re crazy.

Seriously, aim for 30 minutes. You wanna sprint like Usain Bolt while juggling croissants? Didn’t think so.

Why so long? Let’s face it:

• Security lines: Longer than your grandma’s yarn collection.
• Finding your platform: It’s a labyrinth. I swear, they designed it to lose tourists. Think a maze made of overpriced pastries.
• Bathroom breaks: Trust me, you’ll want one. Avoid the ones near the crepe stands; they’re a biohazard.

Pro tip: Download the SNCF app. It’s less stressful than a root canal. It shows real-time delays. You’ll need it, believe me. This year alone, I’ve seen delays that make the plot of “2001, A Space Odyssey” seem simple.

Last year I almost missed my train to Nice because some guy spilled his entire espresso over his passport. True story. Don’t be that guy. Thirty minutes. Got it? Good.

How many platforms are there in Gare de Lyon?

Okay, Gare de Lyon… hmm, platforms. Gotta count them.

• 32 platforms total for the main lines, easy enough.

Hall 1, the old part, has A to N. That’s 14 platforms. Wait, should I include the alphabet or simply count the number of letters? Definitely 14. Why am I even thinking about this?

• Hall 1: 14 platforms (A to N).

Then the new part, Hall 2, is 5 to 23. How many is that? 23 minus 5 is 18, plus one because you gotta include the starting number. So, 19. Math, ugh.

• Hall 2: 19 platforms (5 to 23).

Four more for the RER underneath, right? Yeah, that’s what I read.

• RER: 4 platforms.

So, 14 + 19 + 4 = 37 total. No wait, I’m wrong. The question asked for mainline trains. 33 mainline platforms. Doh! Should’ve read more carefully. I’m always doing this.

I rode the train from Gare de Lyon last month, July 2024. Paris was… hot. Like, unbelievably hot. I think it was to go see my aunt. Or was it my cousin? Ugh.

What is the most beautiful train station in Paris?

Gare de Lyon: A Beaux-Arts behemoth, all sculpted stone and dramatic flourishes. Think a wedding cake designed by a hyperactive, slightly deranged architect. It’s magnificent, yes, but also a tad overwhelming; like a very well-dressed opera singer trying to belt out power ballads in a library. A stunning example of architectural excess.

Gare du Nord? More like Gare du blah. Functional, efficient, but as exciting as watching paint dry. It’s a utilitarian masterpiece, I’ll grant you that, but beauty? Let’s not be overly generous. Reminds me of my uncle’s basement. Functional, but hardly glamorous.

Rouen-Rive-Droite? Out of the running. We’re talking Paris here, darling. It’s lovely, I suppose, but it’s Normandy, not the City of Lights. Apples and oranges, really.

Key Differences:

• Gare de Lyon: Opulent. Over-the-top. Amazingly detailed.
• Gare du Nord: Bland. Efficient. Underwhelming. Like eating cardboard.
• Rouen-Rive-Droite: Charming, but irrelevant to the question.

My personal preference? I’m team Gare de Lyon, hands down. It’s a visual feast. Even the pigeons look sophisticated there. Plus, I once saw a mime perform a surprisingly poignant piece about existential dread right outside its entrance. Now that was memorable.

How do I check in at Gare de Lyon?

Barcodes open gates. Simple enough.

Find your train. Scan. Pass. What else is there?

Trains wait for no one. Not even me, the one who always misses his connection.

Checking in: Gate scanner. Ticket barcode.

• Preparation is key. Already at the station? Good.
• Don’t fumble. Ticket ready. Phone charged.
• Observe the crowd. Flow like water, or get swept away.
• Platform assignments? Screens tell all. Or ask. I never do.
• Delayed? Happens. Expect nothing. Especially apologies.

My last trip: Lyon to Avignon. Hot. Always hot.

Barcodes. The modern key. A digital promise. Or just another inconvenience. Huh.

Gate Scanners: Read Barcodes: Open Gates. Seems repetive. Oh well.

What is the main train station in Paris city centre?

Gare du Nord. Ugh, so crowded. Always packed. Makes me think of that time I almost missed my train to Amsterdam last year. Nearly a heart attack!

Eurostar, Thalys… fancy names for super fast trains. I hate those crowds though. Seriously, the sheer number of people. It’s nuts.

It’s the busiest in Europe, they say. I believe it. Honestly, it’s a maze. I always get lost. Need a map. Always.

Think I saw a mime there once? Or was it a different station? Paris is a blur of stations sometimes. So many!

• Eurostar – London. Duh.
• Thalys – Belgium, Netherlands, Germany. Fast. Expensive. Worth it? Debatable.
• Regional trains – everywhere!

I prefer the smaller stations, actually. Much calmer. Less frantic. But Gare du Nord? That’s where the action is. The heart of Parisian rail travel. A chaotic, beautiful heart.

My phone’s battery is dying. Gotta go. Almost missed my connection again.

How to transfer from Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon?

Dude, Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon? Piece of cake! Hop on the RER D, it’s like a subway but way less confusing. Think of it as a really fancy, underground rollercoaster, without the screaming. Aim for Melun or Malesherbes – it’s like choosing between vanilla and chocolate, both lead to the same delicious destination.

Seriously, it’s that easy.

• RER D is your friend. Don’t even bother with Uber; you’ll end up paying more than a small car.
• Melun or Malesherbes? Your call, captain. Either works. Think of them as secret codes to unlock your Lyon adventure.
• Get off at Gare de Lyon. Obvious, right? Unless you want an unplanned Parisian adventure, far, far away from your luggage.

My pal, Mark, did it last month, found a crepe stand right outside Gare de Lyon. Said it was the best decision of his life, second only to marrying his wife (allegedly).

Pro-tip: Download the RATP app. It’s like having a tiny, hyper-efficient French concierge in your pocket. You’ll thank me later. Avoid peak hours, unless you enjoy sardines – the human kind. Seriously, rush hour is bonkers.

Things that’ll totally screw up your day:

• Forgetting your phone. Worse than forgetting your toothbrush – trust me.
• Wearing shoes you’d rather not walk many miles in. Parisian cobblestones are brutal.
• Attempting to speak fluent French with a bad accent – it ends badly, I’ve seen it.
• Choosing the wrong platform. It happens to the best of us.
• Not checking your tickets. Trust me, the ticket guy isn’t your buddy.

Seriously, the RER is a lifesaver. Enjoy your trip! And next time, bring me back some macarons.