Where Is Platform 44 At Gare Du Nord, Paris ?

[noelf07]

it is for the RER system

[elliemay1]

You can Google it and there's lots of info.

[boxtops]

Seems to be the Underground service..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gare_du_Nord

Platforms 41 to 44 (underground) :: RER station, lines B and D.


RER "B" Line and Métro: Trains between Charles de Gaulle Airport and the Paris city center stop at an underground station beneath the eastern end of the Gare du Nord.

http://parisbytrain.com/gare-du-nord-photos/

[mushroom25]

some useful stuff here....
http://www.seat61.com/Paris-metro.htm

[Buenchico]

The platform number is largely irrelevant for RER services. (Just as with London Underground services, you simply follow the signs for the correct line, going in the correct direction. Nobody actually uses the platform numbers).

If you're arriving on Eurostar, simply turn left onto the main concourse and keep walking, while looking for RER signs like this one:
http://www.snowcarbon.co.uk/sites/default/files/metro-sign_2.jpg
Initially you'll just see 'RER' (without any indication of individual lines) but, as you get further along (and go down the escalator) you'll start to see indications as to which lines are served, as here:
http://www.experienceloire.com/France/2011%20latest/tgv_rer_sign.jpg

It's incredibly easy. However, to save queuing for tickets (either at ticket desks or at machines) it's wisest to buy a 'Paris Visite' travel pass at St Pancras, Ebbsfleet or Ashford when you check in.

Chris

[grasscarp]

Buenchico. You are amazing. But I suspect you know that.

[Jennykenny]

You can also buy the RER tickets on Eurostar, at the buffet counter.

[noelf07]

I am very grateful to all you very helpful folk.
It is my first time using french and Italian trains so I am garnering as much info as I can.
I am doing a trip from London to Florence in one day and the change at Gare Nord to Gare Lyon is only 54mins. So i need to be sharpish to ensure I get my connection.
Many thanks all.

NoelF

[Buenchico]

Thanks for your reply.

The Paris Visite tickets referred to above are for an unlimited day's travel in Paris, so they're obviously more than you need for a single journey. However there can be long queues at the ticket machine at Gare du Nord (and even longer ones at the ticket counters) so, with limited time available, you might still like to consider a Paris Visite ticket. (They were a tenner when I last bought one at Ebbsfleet International, last year). Just think of it as considerably cheaper than a taxi!

AS I wrote above, the signs you'll be looking for are initially just for 'RER', then (when you reach the point where different lines are indicated) for 'RER' 'D'. Then (when you get to the relevant entrance) for 'RER' 'D' 'Malesherbes & Melun'. (It won't matter which of those two destinations your train is headed for; both services go via Gare du Lyon).

If you've not to queue for a ticket, I'd estimate a maximum of 10 minutes to get to the platform (it's a REALLY big station!), with a maximum of 5 minutes wait for a train. The furthest I've been along that line is to the first stop (Châtelet - Les Halles) which takes about 10 minutes. Gare du Lyon is the next stop after that, so perhaps 20 minutes might be needed for your journey. That leaves you around 20 minutes to find your platform at Gare du Lyon, so you should make it OK.

Chris

[noelf07]

Chris,
thank you for that,its nice to be reassured.

Thanks Again, Noel07