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Directions Rue Cler to Paris Gare Lyon train station

I am staying in Paris on Rue Cler, and I need to get to the Paris Gare Lyon train station. My train leaves at 06:45am so I need to know what is the best possible way to get to the train station that early. Bus? Taxi? If bus, what bus number and destinations or taxi (what should be the reasonable rate)? I have looked at the metro schedule but I am confused on which is the quickest route to the train station. Thank you in advance.

Posted by
19 posts

I will be traveling on Monday and my train is going to Cannes.I am just worried that I will not get to making the train to Cannes for 06:49. If I do not make the 06:49 train I am scheduled on how easy is it to get another train with an already purchased ticket? Thank you in advance. Also must I buy two different tickets one for the number 8 train and one for the number 14?

Posted by
8700 posts

Here's your earliest route: The first Metro line 8 train of the morning leaves Ecole Militaire at 05:23. Connect at Madeline to Metro line 14 and arrive at Gare de Lyon at 05:42. A single ticket (€1.70) covers the entire ride. Or depart at 05:37 and arrive at 05:57. Or depart at 05:45 and arrive at 06:01. Or depart at 05:52 and arrive at 06:12. If you follow Ed's instructions, the last departure time I listed gives you ample time to find your train at Gare de Lyon; but pick an earlier time if it will make you more comfortable.

Posted by
1265 posts

Anne - I'm not sure what metro station is closest to where you are staying, so here goes. Take Metro line 8 from Ecole Militaire(direction Pointe du Lac) to Madeleine. Take Metro line 14 from Madeleine(direction Olympiades) to Gare de Lyon. According to the RATP web site if you catch the Metro at 6:00 am you should be in Gare de Lyon by 6:30 am.

Posted by
19 posts

Thank you, I believe the closest is the Ecole Militaire. I appreciate your help in direction. Is there any website to check on the Metro times?

Posted by
7209 posts

Just be aware that line 14 will take you through Chatelet where rush hour traffic can be beyond horrific (Chatelet Les Halles is the largest and busiest metro station in the world). Assuming you're not disembarking until you arrive at Gare de Lyon you should be ok. And, yes, I know this first hand as I attempted to stay with a high school group of 20 ALL with luggage and attempting to get to Orly airport while changing at Chatelet Les Halles. It was beyond horrific and nightmarish. I'll never make THAT particular mistake again.

Posted by
1265 posts

Anne - Here is a link to the : RATP WEBSITE . You can enter in your departure date & time.

Posted by
19 posts

Thank you, I do not need to get off till Gare de Lyon so I will leave early. I would rather sit and wait for the train. Much appreciated. One other quick question, do you know how much and where you buy tickets for the metro, do they have ticket kiosks? Thanks.

Posted by
1265 posts

Anne - Here is another website that may be of help to you. Paris by Train. You can buy a book of 10 tickets called a Carnet for 12,50€ or you can buy a single use ticket for 1,70€.

Posted by
9110 posts

Joel's idea will work fine. Optionally, you could make a Line 8 to Line 1 switch at Concorde. Chatelet is not a factor - - both Line 1 and Line 14 pass through and make a brief stop, but then resume - - you don't have to get off. Start of operations for the metro is the governing time for you. Forget the mish-mash of what trains start from where and when. One is going to be going your way from Ecole Militaire at least by five-thirty. You'll be in Gare Lyon by six or a couple minutes after, depending on which train and which line you use. Now, for what you didn't ask: where are you going from G. Lyon? The station is not as simple as you might guess. There's two sets of platforms, the lettered ones are right close to the eastern end where the main doors are. The numbered ones are maybe five hundred feet southeast. You'll have time, just don't panic when all you initially see are lettered platforms when you come up out of the metro. There's an information booth right by Platform A if you need it. The departure boards are also easy to use and the station is well-signed.

Posted by
19 posts

I am going to be cathing: Departs: Oct 8, 2012 - 6:49AMTGV Duplex #6171, so if I get off the Metro #14 I must go upstairs to another concourse correct. How will I know what track to look for with this train? Does it have a train letter, number? Thank you in advance.

Posted by
9460 posts

Anne, what day of the week will you be traveling?

Posted by
9110 posts

From the metro area you go up one level to the regular train tracks. About a half hour before the train is due to depart the boards will show if it's from the Blue Zone (lettered platforms) or the Yellow Zone (numbered platforms) as well as the track/platform number/letter. I've no idea which it will be or where the train you cited is going. You'll have plenty of time to make it - - just know that there are two distinct sets of platforms.

Posted by
19 posts

Thank you for some reason I am not able to open the metro schedule for times. I am a totally crazy :$ traveler when I preparing (Type A) but once I get to my surroundings I am fine. Thank you everyone for all the information. Its a delight to get straight forward information. Seeing that the other site I asked a question on I recieved a somewhat rude answer. Again, thanks all.

Posted by
9460 posts

Anne when you get up into the station part of the Gare de Lyon, you will see television screens (plus a couple of huge boards) that display Arrivées and Départs (which are exactly what they sound like, Arrivals and Departures). Look for the départs screen, and look for a train departing at 6h49. Usually the train is labeled by the END city of its journey, which best as I can figure about Train 6171, is Nice. The train number, 6171, will also be on the screen. The far-right column on that screen will be labeled "Voie" which means track. Don't panic, because when you first arrive at the station, there might not be any information in that column; they typically don't post the track # or letter until 20 minutes before departure. Just keep watching the screen/board until it appears. (As soon as it does appear, lots of people, who have also been watching the screen, will head off in the direction of the track. Use your waiting time to look for a station map that will show you where you are in relation to the numbered/lettered tracks. It will be fine, and you'll have a great time! Amazing views of the Mediterranean from the right-hand side of the train after you're through Marseilles. Enjoy!

Posted by
115 posts

Not sure how much luggage your going to have . To avoid lugging it through metro changes I would just take a cab to the train station. You'll be going early enough to avoid rush hour..

Posted by
19 posts

Thank you all for the information, its seems so much easier now!

Posted by
9460 posts

Liz has a good point -- and at that time of the morning, the taxi will fly (rush hour inParis starts MUCH later), so it won't be that much. Taxis G7 have a special number for English-speaking passengers: 01 41 27 66 99

Posted by
19 posts

Thank you, what is a reasonable rate for the taxi if I choose to take one?

Posted by
19 posts

Which train and metro do I take from CDG airport, I see a train B but I am not sure where to make a change to get on the metro to take me Ecole Militare. I am staying on Rue Cler so I understand this metro stop is the closet correct? Thank in advance.

Posted by
9460 posts

I don't know but I would guess 8 or 9 euros, 12 at the very most.

Posted by
2876 posts

Just go to http://www.ratp.fr/ to find recommended public transportation routing between any two locations in Paris. Click on the British flag icon in the upper right for English.

Posted by
8700 posts

Anne, Take the RER B from CDG to Gare du Nord, Metro line 4 to Strasbourg - Saint-Denis, and Metro line 8 to Ecole Militaire. The fare from CDG to anywhere in central Paris is €9.25. For a zoomable map of the Metro and RER system, go here: http://tinyurl.com/6xmvms4.