On June 6, heading south,I leave from Gare de Lyon at 8:07. I plan on catching the no.63 bus St Germain/Odeon stop),close to my hotel at 6:30 a.m. which should deliver me to Gare de Lyon in plenty of time according to their schedule.
On my return trip, I am heading to Amsterdam. My arrival time at Gare de Lyon is 12:45. I plan on RER D (which I've never taken) to get to Gare du Nord to catch the 14:25 to Amsterdam.
Traveling alone. I don't have anyone to bounce this off of.
The RERs run every 15 minutes or so sometimes less; and this trip is just a few minutes to Gare du Nord. The Thalys doesn't require early check in like the Eurostar since there is no emigration/ immigration involved. Being there half an hour ahead is plenty. The exact platform goes up 20 minutes or so before departure and you have a specific seat. There is plenty of time and will be time to get food for the train at the station and to get coffee before you go.
Thank you Jane. I knew you would know.
Jane was addressing the return trip.
I'll address the first part. I haven't checked the bus map or schedule so I'll assume that you are correct. I'll check when I get home. You know that many of the routes changed recently?
I don't think that you will wind up needing 90 minutes from your hotel to Gare de Lyon.
The 8:07 is the TGV heading to Provence isn't it? It can appear in either of the two areas of Gare de Lyon, either the numbered platforms or the letter ones. Watch the screen about 20 minutes out for the train number and platform, and be ready to walk to the area and then the platform. If you are at the wrong area it might take 10 minutes to get to your train.
Have a lovely trip. Loads of food available at Gare de Lyon if you had to miss breakfast.
Yes heading to Collioure. Thanks for the info.
yes, 9 stops on the 63 is the way to go....
Bravo that you're going solo !
This may be a possibility for you: I took the TGV from Gare de Lyon, dep ca 11:20 am or so to Perpignan, a 5 hr ride. Then transferred to Collioure on the regional train, ca 30 mins or so.
Yep, that's my plan. Catching the 8:07 TGV from Gare de Lyon to Perpignan, and then a local to Collioure. Thanks for the shout out.
On the way from ST Germain Odéon to Gare de Lyon, bus 87 and 63 both take the same route there so you even have a choice. It's even walkable in less than 45 minutes. So yes that works.
(fun fact: a long time ago, I didn't wake up in time to catch the TGV to Collioure, and back then there was a slow direct train, which I took instead for a 10.5 hour cross country ride...)
