I have purchased 2 tickets Paris Gare de Lyon to Nice. When I arrive to Gare de Lyon is it well marked where I will get on the correct train? Is there any way for me to make a mistake and get on the wrong train or miss getting on? The research I have done is confusing - activate your ticket? . There are trains that stop along the way yet I purchased the one that gets to Nice in about 6 hours. What do I need to know to get on that train?
Posted by
Green Bay
21141 posts
Arrive at Gare de Lyon at least 30 minutes early. There are 2 "Halls" at GdL separated by a 5 minute walk. 20 minutes before departure time, they will show the track on the big board at the entrance. If the track has a letter, it is in the main hall (Hall 1) in front of you, if the track has a number, it is in the remote hall (Hall 2),. Follow the signs, find the track. There should be train personnel standing on the platform and you can show them the ticket and they will confirm it is the right train. Locate your correct coach and board and find your reserved seat.
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
Basically:
- plan to arrive at the station 25-30 minutes before your train departure time. Earlier is unnecessary: you'll just be standing around with your luggage.
- there are big departure boards everywhere just like in an airport. They will list every upcoming train including yours to Nice-Ville. Just make sure that the train time on the list matches the one on your ticket, but there should be no room for confusion because trains are not that frequent
- the board will state the track ("quai") number (or letter). If not, it will at least state the part of the station your train will leave from: Hall 1 or Hall 2. And the track number will appear later (typically 20 minutes before departure).
- head to the indicated hall and track. Signage is excellent.
- when the track number is known, you can head to the fare control gates in front of each track. Have your ticket ready and flash its QR code against the reader. The readers are bad: it can take a few tries.
- once on the platform, feel free to show your ticket to a staffer who will direct you to the right car ("voiture") as per your seat allocation. If the staffers are unavailable, car numbers are shown on boards next to each train door, together with a reminder of the train destination.
You cannot go wrong!
Edit: well Sam said it better and in fewer words 😅
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2545 posts
This video might be useful to visualize what others have described: https://youtu.be/xTTi0F0uejE
If you have a paper ticket, this video explains how to validate it: https://youtu.be/x62zhwD6J9s
If you have electronic tickets, there is no need to validate them.
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
If you have a paper ticket, this video explains how to validate it: https://youtu.be/x62zhwD6J9s
If you have electronic tickets, there is no need to validate them.
This does not apply to TGV tickets from Paris to Nice (only for regional trains). Your ticket, paper (printed) or electronic, will have a QR code that you will flash at the platform gates, and show to the conductor if they request it on board the train.