Paris Gare de Lyon - Complete Station Guide
Paris, France
Place Louis-Armand, 75012 Paris, France
Open daily 04:30 - 01:15
Paris Gare de Lyon is one of the six main railway termini in Paris and the third busiest station in France. Located in the 12th arrondissement on the Right Bank of the Seine, it serves as the gateway to southeast France, the Alps, the Mediterranean coast, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain. The station handles high-speed TGV INOUI services to Lyon, Marseille, and Nice, as well as international trains including Trenitalia Frecciarossa to Milan, TGV Lyria to Geneva and Zurich, and Renfe-SNCF services to Barcelona. The station is instantly recognizable by its iconic clock tower, modeled after the Elizabeth Tower in London, which rises above the grand 1900-era facade. Inside Hall 1, travelers will find Le Train Bleu, a legendary Belle Epoque restaurant with ornate frescoed ceilings and gilded decor that has been serving guests since the station opened for the 1900 World Exhibition. Whether you dine there or simply peek inside, it is one of the most remarkable station restaurants in Europe. The station is divided into two main concourses: Hall 1 (the original trainshed with platforms A through N, primarily serving TGV INOUI and international trains) and Hall 2 (a later extension with platforms 5 through 23, used by Ouigo and some TER regional services). An underground Hall 3 connects both concourses and links to Metro and RER services. Platform assignments are typically displayed around 20 minutes before departure, so arrive with time to spare and check the departure boards in the main halls.
Station Facilities
Free SNCF WiFi available throughout the station. Connect to the network and follow login prompts.
Automated lockers in Hall 3 near platform N. Open daily 06:15-22:00. X-ray screening at entrance. Various locker sizes available.
Located in Hall 3 underground level. Small, medium, and large sizes available.
Le Train Bleu (Belle Epoque fine dining, Hall 1 first floor), Big Ben Bar (casual, inside Le Train Bleu), Brasserie Marius (Hall 1, opens 06:00), Brasserie L'Europeen (across the road), plus cafes and fast food outlets in both halls.
Relay newsagents, Monoprix (Rue de Lyon opposite station), duty-free-style shops, book stores, and various retail outlets across Hall 1 and Hall 2.
ATMs and currency exchange offices located in Hall 1 and Hall 2 concourses.
Public toilets available in Hall 1, Hall 2, and Hall 3. Some require a small fee.
SNCF information desk in the passageway between Hall 1 and Hall 2. Multilingual staff available.
Salon Grand Voyageur (first class lounge) accessible to Business Premiere ticket holders and Grand Voyageur Plus loyalty card members. Open weekdays 05:40-21:00, weekends 07:00-20:00.
Car rental agencies (Hertz, Europcar, Avis) located near the main exit on Rue de Lyon.
Getting to the Station
Metro
Varies by origin. Chatelet: 3 min (Line 14), Charles de Gaulle-Etoile: 18 min (Line 1).Metro Line 1 (La Defense - Chateau de Vincennes) and Metro Line 14 (Saint-Denis Pleyel - Olympiades) both stop at Gare de Lyon. Line 14 is fully automated with trains every 2-3 minutes at peak times. Access via escalators from Hall 1.
Line 14 is the fastest and most frequent option for crossing central Paris.
RER
Gare du Nord via RER D: approx 10 min. Chatelet-Les Halles via RER A: approx 5 min.RER A (east-west rapid transit, connects to La Defense, Chatelet, Nation, and Disneyland Paris at Marne-la-Vallee) and RER D (north-south, connects directly to Gare du Nord in about 10 minutes). RER platforms are in the underground levels below the station.
RER D is the quickest way to reach Gare du Nord if you have a connection to Eurostar or Thalys.
Bus
Varies significantly depending on traffic and route.Multiple bus lines stop near Gare de Lyon including lines 20, 24, 57, 61, 63, 65, 77, 87, and 91. The main bus stops are on Boulevard Diderot and Rue de Bercy.
Buses are best for short local journeys. For cross-city travel, Metro or RER is faster.
Taxi
To Gare du Nord or Gare de l'Est: 25-30 minutes. To CDG Airport: 45-60 minutes. To Orly Airport: 30-45 minutes.Official taxi rank on the station forecourt (Place Louis-Armand). Taxis are metered and regulated. Uber and other ride-hailing services also operate in Paris.
At peak hours, traffic can be heavy. Consider the Metro or RER for cross-city connections instead.
Airport Transfer
CDG Airport: 50-70 min by transit. Orly Airport: 40-55 min by transit.CDG Airport: RER B from Chatelet (transfer from RER A or Metro Line 14) takes about 45 minutes total. Orly Airport: take RER A or Metro Line 14 to Chatelet then Orlyval, or use the OrlyBus from Denfert-Rochereau (Metro Line 6). The RATP Roissybus does not stop at Gare de Lyon.
For CDG, the RER B via Chatelet is reliable. For Orly, the new Metro Line 14 extension provides a direct southern route.
Accessibility
Book Assist'Gare assistance through SNCF at least 48 hours before travel via the Assist'Gare website or by calling 36 35. Staff will meet you at the designated meeting point in the station.
The station is a terminus with level access to all platforms from the concourses. Lifts connect Hall 3 (underground) to platform level. Wheelchair-accessible ramps are available at main entrances. Assist'Gare service provides guided accompaniment for passengers with reduced mobility.
Train Operators at This Station
SNCF
View detailsโTGV INOUI - high-speed services to Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Montpellier, and the French Alps, Ouigo - low-cost high-speed trains to Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, and other destinations (Hall 2), TER - regional trains to Burgundy and surrounding Ile-de-France destinations
Trenitalia
View detailsโFrecciarossa - high-speed service from Paris to Lyon, Turin, and Milan (ticket office in Hall 1 near platform N)
TGV Lyria
View detailsโHigh-speed services from Paris to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, and Zurich (joint SNCF-SBB operation)
Renfe-SNCF en Cooperation
High-speed services from Paris to Barcelona via Montpellier, Perpignan, Figueres, and Girona
Popular Departures from Paris Gare de Lyon
Tips & Insider Advice
Dine at Le Train Bleu
Le Train Bleu in Hall 1 is one of Europe's most beautiful station restaurants, with lavish Belle Epoque decor dating from 1901. Even if you do not have time for a full meal, step into the Big Ben Bar area for a coffee or a drink and admire the frescoed ceilings. Reservations are recommended for lunch and dinner.
Know Your Hall: Hall 1 vs Hall 2
Hall 1 (platforms A-N) handles most TGV INOUI and international departures. Hall 2 (platforms 5-23) serves Ouigo low-cost and some TER regional trains. Check your ticket carefully - the halls are connected underground via Hall 3 but the walk takes 5-10 minutes.
Use Metro Line 14 for Fast Connections
Metro Line 14 is fully automated with no driver, running very frequently (every 2-3 minutes at peak times). It connects Gare de Lyon directly to Gare Saint-Lazare, Madeleine, Pyramides, and Chatelet. It is the fastest way to cross central Paris.
Consider a Navigo Easy Pass
If you will be using public transport in Paris, purchase a Navigo Easy contactless card from any Metro station. You can load single tickets or day passes onto it. For stays of a week or longer, the Navigo Decouverte weekly pass offers unlimited travel across all zones.
Arrive Early - Platforms Announced Late
Platform assignments at Gare de Lyon are typically shown only 20 minutes before departure. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to clear any security checks and find your platform. During peak hours the departure boards draw large crowds, so position yourself where you can see the screens clearly.
Walk to the Seine and Jardin des Plantes
Gare de Lyon is just a 10-minute walk from the Seine riverbank and the beautiful Jardin des Plantes botanical garden. If you have time before your train, stroll down Rue de Lyon toward Bastille or walk along the Promenade Plantee, an elevated park built on a former railway viaduct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nearby Stations
Information on this page was compiled from official sources including SNCF Gares & Connexions and Seat61.com. Station facilities, opening hours, and services may change without notice. Always verify details directly with the station operator before traveling. Information last verified: 2026-03-18. For the most current details, please check the official Paris Gare de Lyon website or contact the station directly.