🇫🇷 Paris Gare du Nord

Major

France

#8 Busiest Train Stations in the World #3 Train Stations with the Most Platforms #1 Busiest Train Stations in Europe

Paris Gare du Nord is the busiest railway station in Europe by passenger numbers, serving as the main terminal for Eurostar services to London, Thalys trains to Brussels and Amsterdam, and high-speed TGV connections to northern France. Its imposing 19th-century neoclassical facade, dominated by allegorical statues representing the cities served by the station, is one of the most photographed railway frontages in the world. In addition to international and national services, the station is a major interchange for Paris's RER B, D, and E lines and several Metro lines, anchoring the north of the city's transit network.

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Quick Facts

Country	🇫🇷 France
Type	Major
Coordinates	48.880185, 2.355151
Timezone	Europe/Paris
Connections	778
UIC Code	8727100

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Frequently Asked Questions

Metro lines 2, 4, and 5 serve Gare du Nord and reach major central stops like Opéra (line 4) in about five minutes. RER B connects directly to Charles de Gaulle Airport and the Left Bank, while RER D serves Châtelet.

All Eurostar services to London St Pancras, Brussels, and Amsterdam depart from the dedicated international terminal at Gare du Nord. Passengers must pass through French exit border control and UK entry border control at the station, so plan to arrive at least 45 minutes before departure.

Yes, staffed luggage storage and self-service lockers are available at Gare du Nord. The station is one of the busiest in the world so peak-time queues can form; arriving early is advisable especially during summer.

RER B departs from Gare du Nord directly to Charles de Gaulle Airport in around 25 to 35 minutes. Trains run frequently throughout the day and the airport connection is one of the most convenient in Europe.

With around 300 million passengers per year, Gare du Nord is often cited as the busiest railway station in Europe and one of the busiest in the world. It serves local, national, and international trains across multiple levels and has undergone extensive redevelopment for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Operators

DB

National · Germany

Renfe

National · Spain

SNCF

National · France

Trenitalia

National · Italy

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