Paris Gare du Nord - Train Station Guide
Paris, France
18 Rue de Dunkerque, 75010 Paris, France
Monday to Thursday and Sunday: 04:30-01:30. Friday and Saturday: 04:30-02:30.
Paris Gare du Nord is Europe's busiest railway station, handling approximately 700,000 passengers per day. Located in the 10th arrondissement, the station serves as the gateway between France, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Eurostar services to London, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne depart from here, alongside TGV INOUI high-speed trains and TER regional services to northern France. The grand 19th-century facade, dating from 1861-1864 and designed by architect Jacques Ignace Hittorff, fronts a modern multi-level station spread across five floors (levels -3 to +1). Hall 1 (level 0) is the main concourse with platforms 1-19 for most long-distance trains. Hall 2 (first-floor balcony) houses Eurostar departures to London with passport control and security checks. Hall 3 (level 0, eastern side) serves TER regional and suburban trains on platforms 20-21 and 30-36. Hall 4 (underground, levels -2 to -3) provides access to RER B and D platforms (tracks 41-44) and metro connections. Platform numbers for long-distance SNCF trains typically appear on departure boards only about 15-20 minutes before departure, while Eurostar trains to London always depart from platforms 3, 4, 5 or 6. Whether you are catching an international Eurostar departure from the upper-level balcony or connecting to the Paris Metro, RER, and Transilien network below, this guide covers everything you need to navigate the station confidently.
Station Facilities
Free WiFi available throughout the station by connecting to the SNCF network.
Level -1, opposite track 3. Staffed facility with X-ray security screening. Photo ID required. Open daily 06:15-23:15. Prices start at approximately 4 EUR (up to 4 hours), 7.50 EUR (4-12 hours), 9.50 EUR (12-24 hours).
Multiple options across levels 0, -1, -2, and -3 including bakeries, coffee chains, fast food, and sit-down restaurants. The Eurostar departure lounge has its own cafes including Super Wild Coffee, L'Eclair de Genie, Exki, Le chocolat Alain Ducasse, and Paul.
Retail shops on levels 0, -1, and -2 including bookshops, fashion, and convenience stores. Aelia Dutyfree and Relay available inside the Eurostar departure lounge.
Multiple ATM locations on the main concourse (level 0) and lower levels. An ATM dispensing both euros and pounds is available inside the Eurostar departure lounge.
Available on levels 0, -1, and -2. Paid facilities (approximately 1 EUR) on the main concourse. Free toilets available inside the Eurostar departure lounge after security, including baby-changing facilities.
Level 0, opposite track 12. Accessible for people with reduced mobility.
Eurostar Premier Lounge located on level 1 inside the departure lounge, accessible via the lift on the left after security checks. Available up to 2 hours before departure for Eurostar Premier ticket holders and Club Eurostar Carte Blanche and Etoile members. Offers comfortable seating, cocktail and smoothie bars, complimentary snacks and drinks, free WiFi, newspapers, and power sockets.
Level -1, near the lost property office. Multiple providers available including Hertz (Eurostar partner).
Currency exchange facility located near the Eurostar area.
SNCF lost property office on level -1, next to the car rental agencies. Open Monday to Saturday 08:00-20:00. Lost items can also be reported online via the SNCF Gares & Connexions website. For items lost in the Eurostar area or on board, email lost.property@eurostar.com.
Power sockets (Type E) available in waiting areas, some cafes, and inside the Eurostar departure lounge. Priority seating areas in the departure lounge include plug sockets.
Secure bicycle parking facility at 110 Rue de Maubeuge, next to the eastern station entrance.
Brigade des Reseaux Ferres, Rue de Dunkerque. Open 24/7.
Getting to the Station
metro
Direct access from stationMetro Line 4 and Line 5 (Gare du Nord station, level -1). Line 2 accessible via a signed underground corridor to La Chapelle station (level -2).
Line 2 is a longer walk than Lines 4 and 5. Follow the colour-coded signs on walls and floors to navigate quickly.
rer
CDG Airport approximately 30 minutes via RER BRER Line B (direct to CDG Airport and Orly via connection) and RER Line D. Platforms on levels -2 and -3 (tracks 41-44). RER Line E is accessible via the nearby Magenta station (short walk from the eastern exit).
RER B is the fastest route to both CDG and Orly airports. For Gare de Lyon, take RER D southbound.
train
Varies by destinationTransilien suburban lines H and K depart from the station, serving the northern suburbs and Ile-de-France region. Navigo SNCF Services and Transilien ticket office on level -1.
bus
Several city bus routes stop on streets surrounding the station.
Check real-time displays at bus shelters outside the main entrance.
taxi
Official taxi rank outside the main facade (Cour des Taxis, Exit 7). Metered fares, card payment common but not universal.
Join the official queue and ignore touts. Confirm card payment availability before boarding.
rideshare
Uber, Bolt, and other ride-hailing apps available. Pick-up points on surrounding streets.
The app will direct you to a nearby meeting point. Avoid standing in bus lanes and confirm the vehicle number plate.
car
EURONORD car park (Parking Paris Gare du Nord โ EFFIA) at 4 Rue de Compiegne, open 24/7. Accessible for people with reduced mobility.
Road traffic in and around Paris can be heavy, especially during rush hour (08:00-10:00, 17:00-20:00).
bicycle
Velib' bike rental stations near the station. Secure bicycle parking at 110 Rue de Maubeuge.
Velib' offers short-term rentals with docking stations throughout Paris.
Accessibility
SNCF Assist'enGare service: book assistance at least 48 hours in advance for international travel. For domestic journeys, book 15-24 hours in advance via the SNCF platform or call 09 70 82 41 42. Spontaneous assistance is available at the service point opposite tracks 7-8, daily 05:30-00:00. A new, larger reception area for people with reduced mobility has been installed at the heart of the station.
Elevators provide step-free access to platforms, metro connections, and the car park. Wide gates are available for wheelchair access to RER and Metro. For Eurostar services, lifts are located opposite platforms 9 and 10 to reach the first-floor departure area.
Train Operators at This Station
Eurostar
View detailsโLondon, Brussels, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Cologne, Dusseldorf
SNCF TGV INOUI
View detailsโLille, Northern France high-speed services
Popular Departures from Paris Gare du Nord
Tips & Insider Advice
Arrive Early for Eurostar
For trains to London, arrive at the time recommended on your ticket to complete passport and security checks. Ticket gates close 30 minutes before departure for Standard and Plus passengers, 15 minutes for Premier. For trains to Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany (no passport checks), arrive at least 20 minutes before departure.
Know Your Hall
Hall 1 (level 0, platforms 1-19): most long-distance trains. Hall 2 (first-floor balcony): Eurostar to London โ use escalators opposite platform 17 or lifts opposite platforms 9-10. Hall 3 (level 0, platforms 20-36): TER and suburban. Hall 4 (underground): RER platforms.
Platform Numbers Appear Late
For most long-distance SNCF trains, the exact platform is displayed on the departure boards only about 15-20 minutes before departure. Wait near the main departure boards in Hall 1 until your platform is announced. Eurostar trains to London always depart from platforms 3, 4, 5 or 6.
EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
From October 2025, the EU is gradually introducing new EES border procedures. Non-EU nationals travelling on Eurostar should check the latest requirements on the Eurostar website before travel, as the process may affect arrival times at the station.
Luggage Storage Requires X-Ray
The staffed luggage storage on level -1 requires all bags to pass through an X-ray machine before storage. Photo ID is required. Plan a few extra minutes for this security check. Open daily 06:15-23:15.
Dining on Every Level
From quick bites on level -3 near the RER platforms to sit-down restaurants on level 0, there are food options throughout. The Eurostar departure lounge has its own cafes. The area outside the main entrance on Boulevard de Denain has classic Parisian brasseries including the historic Brasserie Terminus Nord.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nearby Stations
Station information is for general reference only. Facilities, opening hours, and services may change without notice. EuroTrain is not affiliated with SNCF Gares & Connexions, Eurostar, or RATP. Verify details with the station operator before travelling. Information last verified: 2026-03-17. For the most current details, please check the official Paris Gare du Nord website or contact the station directly.