PARIS - France 2014 - page 296

Lignes-SNCF tofindthemaintracks.MétroandRERtrains,aswellasbusesandtaxis,are
well-marked at every station.
Budget plenty of time before your departure to factor in ticket lines and making your
way through large, crowded stations. Paris train stations can be intimidating, but if you
slow down, take a deep breath, and ask for help, you'll find them manageable and effi-
cient. Bring a pad of paper for clear communication at ticket/info windows. All stations
have helpful information booths (accueil) ; the bigger stations have roving helpers, usually
wearing red or blue vests. They're capable of answering rail questions more quickly than
thestaffattheinformationdesksorticketwindows.Imakeahabitofconfirmingmytrack
number and departure time with these helpers. To make your trip go more smoothly, be
sure to review the many train tips on here .
Gare du Nord
The granddaddy of Paris' train stations serves cities in northern France and international
destinations northofParis,includingCopenhagen,Amsterdam (see“ToBrusselsandAm-
sterdam by Thalys Train,” later), and the Eurostar to London (see “To London by Eurostar
Train,” also later).
Arrive early to allow time to navigate this station. From the Métro, follow Grandes
Lignes signs (main lines) to reach the tracks at street level. Grandes Lignes trains depart
from tracks 2-21 (tracks 20 and 21 are around the corner), suburban Banlieue/Transilien
lines from tracks 30-36 (signed Réseau Ile-de-France ), and RER trains from tracks 37-44
(tracks 41-44 are one floor below). Glass train information booths (accueil) are scattered
throughoutthestation,andinformation-helperscirculate(allrailstaffarerequiredtospeak
English).
There's a helpful TI (labeled Paris Tourisme ) kiosk near track 19 that provides free
maps and sells Paris Museum Passes and fast-pass “ coupe-file ” tickets (credit cards only,
no cash accepted at this TI).
WCsaredownthestairsacrossfromtrack10(€0.50).Baggage checkandrental cars
are near track 3 and down the steps. Taxis are out the door past track 3. Steps down to the
Métro are opposite tracks 10 and 19.
Key Destinations Served by Gare du Nord Grandes Lignes: Brussels (about
2/hour, 1.5 hours), Bruges (at least hourly, 2.5-3 hours, change in Brussels), Amsterdam
(8-10/day, 3.5 hours direct), Berlin (4/day, 8.25 hours, 1-2 changes, via Belgium, non-
Belgium-traversing trains leave from Gare de l'Est), Koblenz (8/day, 5 hours, change in
Köln, more from Gare de l'Est that don't cross Belgium), Copenhagen (7/day, 14-18
hours, 1 night train), and London via Eurostar Chunnel train (12-15/day, 2.5-3 hours).