Connecting between Train Stations in Paris

Hi,

I need to book train travel Avignon to Rennes. The most efficient timetable option involes a 1 hour 20 minute connection between PARIS GARE DE LYON and PARIS MONTPARNASSE.

Given that we will be travelling with luggage and two children (8 and 6 so able to fend for themselves) what is the best way to connect and typical costs for a family of four? Metro? Taxi?

Thanks

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Métro tickets cost 1.50€ each. A taxi perhaps 17€ - 23€ and may not be allot faster.

Are you sure a train connecting in Lyon Part Dieu or Chessy is not available? These connects would be a great deal easier.

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Hi Sarastro, thanks again for your continued help.

Yes there are other connection options, however those routes take approximately 1 hour longer (total travel time) and are not as convenient. The Paris connection departs Avignon mid morning and arrives Rennes mid afternoon. Other connections require us to leave Avignon earlier or get in Rennes in the evening. Connecting in Paris is preferred.

How feasible is it to carry luggage on the Metro at midday on a Monday? Is the Metro busy then? Are there any issues keeping control of the bags (i.e. can we have then at our feet on the Metro)? Is there a single Metro connection between PARIS GARE DE LYON and PARIS MONTPARNASSE stations or do we need to do multiple hops?

(Note, we plan to be traveling with 2 backapacks (for the adults to carry) and only one wheeling suitcase, plus probably two %26#39;cabin bags%26#39;. So we are trying to travel light for this very issue).

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I can tell you how to execute this connection through the métro but as we shall not be traveling together, I%26#39;ll give you the source so you will feel more comfortable doing it on your own. Check a métro map on this site:

http://www.ratp.com

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Metro will involve one change - at either Chatelet or Bercy. Chatelet is a huge station and you will walk a long way to connect to the second train. Never used Bercy.

There is a bus - the 91 - which starts from Gare de Lyon, and goes direct to Gare Montparnasse with a journey time of 26 minutes. I don%26#39;t know what the rules are re luggage on buses and if the traffic is a bit sticky you may be tight for time.

For peace of mind and comfort I%26#39;d take a cab. Sorry I have no idea of cost.

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For others who are interested, the link provided by Sarastro, above, is very good. That web page identifies the optimum connection method either by minimizing time or the number of connections.

It appears that there is no direct Metro connection between GARE DE LYON and GARE MONTPARNASSE. However, there is a Number 91 bus leaving every 5 minutes at midday that takes 24 minutes to connect. The info even gives you clickable maps on where to find the bus stops outside the train stations.

Excellent info!

If any readers have used buses to connect between train stations in Paris, please advise how your bags were stored on the bus. Do you need to keep them in sight or is the bus point-to-point with no interim stops? Merci.

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Chatelet is a big station and the transfer involves quite a few sets of stairs etc...unless you have on hand carry bag eacg, I don%26#39;t think I%26#39;d recommend this way....

Sean

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%26lt;%26lt;Metro will involve one change - at either Chatelet or Bercy%26gt;%26gt;

Actually Chatelet should not be considered an option at all. Your Metro choices are:

Gare de Lyon to Champes Elysées Clemenceau on Line-1 - - Change to Metro Line-13 to Gare Montparnasse or as already recommended,:

Metro Line-14 to Bercy - - Change to Metro Line-6 to Gare Montparnasse.

Personally, with luggage and kids, I%26#39;d take a taxi. They%26#39;ll drop you at the door of Gare Montparnasse and now that the construction is finished at Gare de Lyon, the taxi rank is steps from the entrance.

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Thanks to all that have posted. Yes, we will take a taxi.

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Here is a sum up of the connections between train stations in Paris. I%26#39;ve given some alternate connections when the %26quot;direct%26quot; one is somehow clumsy.

Nord-Saint Lazare : RER E (Magenta-Haussmann)

Nord-Montparnasse : Métro Line 4 (but long and painful underground walk at the Montparnasse end. It can be better to exit the Métro complex and walk up the Rue du Départ to the main station entrance). Alternatively, RER Line B, change at Denfert-Rochereau for Métro Line 6. No more throughout bus route ...

Nord-Austerlitz : Métro Line 5

Nord-Lyon : RER Line D

Nord-Est : walk or Métro Line 5.

Saint Lazare-Montparnasse : Métro Line 13 (better than Line 12, at both ends)

Saint Lazare-Austerlitz : Métro Line 13, change at Duroc for Line 10 or bus route 24 (scenic but long)

Saint Lazare-Lyon : Métro Line 14

Saint Lazare-Est : Métro Line 3, change at Opéra for Line 7 or bus route 32

Montparnasse-Austerlitz : Bus route 91

Montparnasse-Lyon : Bus route 91 as well

Montparnasse-Est : Métro Line 4. Long and tiresome walk from the train platforms at Montparnasse to the Line 4 platforms.

Austerlitz-Lyon : Bus route 91

Austerlitz-Est : Métro Line 5

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and the last one ...

Lyon-Est : Métro Line 14, change at Châtelet for Line 4 ; or bus route #65