We are taking TGVLyria from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lausanne. I read on another site that they recommend passengers arrive 90 minutes before train departs. We leave early in the AM, so hoping 90 min is a bit too cautious.
We also are taking the Thayls from Paris to Amsterdam. Would this also require a 90 min arrival before train departs? I'm not planning on 10 min early, thinking 30 min?
Thanks! Jen
Unless you are reasonably familiar with large European Railway Terminals , keep in mind , you'll be managing luggage , potentially lots of other passengers , and may have to transverse a large area to get to the appropriate platform . While 90 minutes is a bit much , 30 minutes can be cutting it close , remember time does fly . An hour up front would be reasonable .
The only train that requires 90 minutes is Eurostar.
For all other trains, 30 minutes is plenty of time! In France, the track from which your train leaves is only announced 20 minutes ahead anyway, so if you arrive early you just stand there and stare at the departure screen... Arriving 60 minutes ahead would be unpleasant.
Unless you have first class tickets with access to the lounge, 1 hour is fine. If it is a larger train station such as Barcelona or Madrid, there is more walking. But smaller train stations, such as Granada, only have a few tracks. We’ve taken trains all over Poland and Spain and the track isn’t posted that far in advance anyway.
Balso is correct, arriving too early is just stand around and watch the board update. My wife & I like to bet which track it will be just to keep ourselves amused. You don't want to be late either. Even with reservations, you have a seat but may not have anywhere close/safe/convenient to stow luggage.
very few stations are in two distinct areas. Gare de Lyon is one of those, and there is a bit of a walk between the parts. But nothing goes up on the screens until about 20 minutes prior to departure. So that's when I'd aim to be there. Wait for the platform to be posted and make your way there, following the easy to follow signs.
You already have a seat reservation so you will know the car number and seat number. Walk down the train to the right car (they are in order, if the train is a double set (two trains coupled together) the numbering sequence will jump. Just follow it along. Get on the right car and find the numbered seats.
An hour is 40 minutes' overkill.
The Thalys is even easier. At Gare du Nord all the tracks and platforms are in a row, sequentially numbered. Again, find the platform and walk down to the right car. Thalys used to have a staff member at every door showing you in after they checked your ticket. Post covid I don't know how they are doing it, but I would never get there too far ahead.
If you are new to trains give yourself a few extra minutes for de-bogglement. Plenty of snacks and drinks about for your nibbling pleasure.
are you aware that you asked about two trips from Paris and the Paris stations in the Swiss Forum?
I usually plan my arrival 15 minutes before my train leaves in Paris.
If you are earlier you can go and visit the "Train Bleu" restaurant in GdL, which is worth it for the interior alone...
