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Lyon to Bordeaux with a Paris station transfer…how stressful is it?

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I’m planning a family trip to France and researching train options between Lyon and Bordeaux. Some itineraries require changing train stations in Paris (for example, arriving at Gare de Lyon and departing from Montparnasse), and I’m trying to understand what that experience is really like.

For those of you who have done it:

  • How stressful was the station transfer?
  • Did you take a taxi, rideshare, or the Metro?
  • Were taxis or rideshares easy to find outside Gare de Lyon?
  • If you took a taxi, about how long did it take to get to Montparnasse?
  • How much time would you want between trains to feel comfortable?
  • If you had to do it again, would you choose the same itinerary or look for one with a different connection?

This will be our first time taking long-distance trains in France, and we’ll be traveling as a family with luggage. I’d love to hear any tips or lessons learned.

Thanks!

Posted by
4050 posts

From GDL to Montparnasse I always take the bus. It is straightforward. Line 91 goes between those stations in 29 minutes. The bus stop is right across from GDL on the other side of Rue Diderot, and drops you right in front of Montparnasse. No stairs, level boarding and you can pay by just tapping your credit card. Bus runs every few minutes, and it is a fast bus, as it has its own dedicated lanes most of the way.

In your case however, I would go for a change in Massy TGV. You can add that as a via to force this.

Posted by
131 posts

Same advice as previous commenter - absolutely go via Massy. I looked at a random date and this routing is proposed at two different times of day. Inter-station transfer in Paris could be a breeze or a nightmare.

Posted by
684 posts

I'm not sure when you will be taking your trip but if it is in the 2nd half of 2027, SNCF OuiGo is starting a direct route from Bordeaux to Lyon--no change of trains.
If it is sooner than that, I'd go with switching trains in Massey. Much easier and less complicated.

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