Welcome Pickups / Paris / Gare du Nord to City Centre

How to Get from Gare du Nord to the City Centre

Maria Papakonstantinou

July 30, 2024

If you’re arriving in Paris by train at the Gare du Nord station, you have many different transportation options to choose from to reach your accommodation; taxi or private transfer, train, metro, or bus.

The most convenient option is to pre-book an airport taxi and enjoy professional door-to-door service and peace of mind. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the rank in front of the train station which will cost approximately €15 for up to 4 passengers; in both cases, you should reach your accommodation in about 30 minutes depending on traffic conditions.

If you’re travelling on a budget, you can use public transportation; the ticket cost is the same for all means of transport at €2.10 per adult. If you like travelling by train you can use RER B or D or Metro Line 7; travel time by train is 8 minutes and by metro 16 minutes – including a 10-minute walk to reach the metro station. Finally, you can use the bus (Line 39), which provides a direct connection from Gare du Nord to Palais Royal – Comédie Française downtown; the travel time by bus is 33 minutes, making it the slowest option.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Paris at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

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Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups	€44	20min	24/7	Book
Book
Taxi	€15	20min	24/7
Train	€4.20	8min	05:20–00:45
Metro	€4.20	16min	05:30–00:34
Bus	€4.20	33min	06:30–01:20

How to get from Gare du Nord to the city centre by taxi

Taking a taxi to get from Gare du Nord to the city centre is a quick and comfortable transportation option that will take you directly to your accommodation. The ride takes about 20 minutes depending on traffic conditions and your exact destination and the average fare for a standard taxi is about €15. To save time, you can pre-book your airport taxi online and skip the line at the rank.

What's the cost of a taxi from Gare du Nord to Paris?

Local taxis in Paris are metered and the fare is calculated based on various factors. There are different tariffs for rides during the daytime, nighttime, weekends, and holidays. The average fare for a taxi from Gare du Nord to the city centre is approximately €15. For a fixed fare, you can pre-book and pre-pay for your ride online.

Photos (1)

Sign of an official taxi in Paris

Cost

€15

Trip Duration

20 Min.

The total fare may vary depending on various factors; pre-book your taxi for a fixed fare.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are usually available 24/7 in front of the Gare du Nord train station.

Where do I take a taxi from?

You can find taxis available at Gare du Nord usually 24/7 for on-demand service. The taxi rank is located right in front of the train station’s main entrance on Place Napoléon-III.

Convenience

If you’re looking for comfortable transport from Gare du Nord to your Paris hotel, taking a taxi is the best choice. Traffic in Paris can get heavy during peak hours but a taxi will ensure private and direct, door-to-door transportation. It’s an ideal option if you’re travelling with young children or you’re carrying multiple pieces of luggage and you wish to avoid the hassle of public transport.

Editor’s Note

During peak hours, the ride may take longer, which in turn will increase the total fare if you haven’t booked in advance. If you're not carrying heavy luggage and you don't mind the crowd, using public transport is a more budget-friendly option.

Useful Tips

Not all taxi drivers speak English so write down any important information and your destination in French.

Card payment isn't always possible, especially if you choose a taxi from the rank; make sure to carry a few euros in case you need to pay in cash.

Once you enter the taxi, check that the taximeter is turned on and set to the base fare of €2.60.

Your driver will choose the best route depending on traffic conditions. If you think they're taking an unnecessarily long route, you can check your location on your mobile.

How to get from Gare du Nord to the city centre by train

If you’re looking for cheaper transport from Gare du Nord to your Paris hotel, you can continue your trip by train; RER B or D will take you there directly to Châtelet les Halles in the 1st arrondissement in about 8 minutes for €2.10 per adult.

How much is the train ticket from Gare du Nord to Paris?

A single ticket for the train from Gare du Nord to the city centre costs €2.10. You can use the same ticket to continue your journey by metro or tram.

Photos (1)

Paris RER

Cost

€2.10

Trip Duration

8 Min.

The trip duration takes into account the walking time from one platform to the next; the actual trip by train is shorter.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Train line B departs from Gare du Nord every about 10 minutes from 05:20 until 00:45 and train line D from 05:27 until 22:36 daily.

Where do I take the train from?

Gare du Nord is a busy transit station but it’s easy to navigate and you can easily find your way around by following the relevant signs. All lines are also colour-coded so simply follow the blue square for train line B or the green square for train line D.

Convenience

The train is a very convenient transportation option in Paris and it’s good value for money if you’re travelling on a budget. It will take you from Gare du Nord to the city centre quickly, without getting stuck in traffic. Keep in mind that during peak times the train can get crowded, which might not be ideal if you’re travelling with young children or multiple pieces of luggage. Also, train service is not available 24/7 so make sure to check the first and last train departure from Gare du Nord.

Timetables

Journey planner

From Gare du Nord to Châtelet les Halles

Train line B

Map and timetable

Train line D

Map and timetable

Public transport tickets

Information and purchase

Editor’s Note

Continuing your trip from Gare du Nord to Paris by train is great for solo travellers and anyone travelling on a tight budget. It's also a better option for less experienced travellers who might find it hard to navigate the complicated metro network in Paris.

Useful Tips

The Ticket t+ gives you access to all train, metro, and tram lines in central Paris and allows you to travel by bus in the whole Île-de-France.

You can purchase your ticket at any train or metro station or online using your mobile.

Children up to 4 years old can use public transport free of charge.

All public transport in Paris is accessible to wheelchair users.

How to get from Gare du Nord to the city centre by metro

Another option to get from Gare du Nord to the city centre using public transport is by taking metro line 7 towards Villejuif – Louis Aragon (Villejuif). The closest metro station to Gare du Nord for line 7 is Poissonnière, which is a 10-minute walk away, and you can disembark at Pyramides in the 1st arrondissement. The total trip should take about 16 minutes.

How much does it cost to get from Gare du Nord to Paris by metro?

A single adult fare on the metro from Poissonnière to Pyramides or another metro station downtown costs €2.10.

Photos (1)

Metro in Paris

Cost

€2.10

Trip Duration

16 Min.

The trip duration includes the 10-minute walk from Gare du Nord to the metro station.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Metro line 7 stops at Gare du Nord every 2 minutes from 05:30 until 00:34 on weekdays and Saturdays and until 01:36 on Sundays.

Where do I take the metro from?

Metro line 7 doesn’t stop at Gare du Nord so you’ll need to reach Poissonnière, which is 10 minutes away on foot. It’s best to use a map application on your mobile to ensure you follow the shortest route.

Convenience

Paris is famous for its metro network, which expands all over the city offering quick transportation to locals and tourists. Similar to other public transport options, it’s good value for money, especially for solo travellers. Keep in mind that you might have to deal with large crowds during peak times though, so it can get uncomfortable if you’re carrying large luggage or if you’re travelling with family and everyone needs to squeeze in a crowded carriage.

Timetables

Journey planner

From Poissonnière to Pyramides

Public transport tickets

Information and purchase

Metro line 7

Timetable and map

Editor’s Note

If you don't mind walking to the train station, the metro will take you right to the heart of Paris. With a metro station at every corner, you can switch lines to get as close as possible to your final destination.

Useful Tips

You can purchase a ticket at every metro station or through the online application.

Beware of pickpockets during peak times when the train is usually full.

The metro is fully accessible to wheelchair users.

How to get from Gare du Nord to the city centre by bus

The bus provides convenient transport from Gare du Nord to your Paris accommodation downtown. Bus line 39 directly connects the train station to the 1st arrondissement in about 33 minutes. You can take bus 39 from Gare du Nord – Dunkerque and disembark at Palais Royal – Comédie Française or whichever bus stop is closer to your accommodation.

What's the cost of the Gare du Nord to city centre bus?

A single adult bus ticket for line 39 from Gare du Nord to Paris costs €2.10. The same ticket is valid on all metro lines, so you can use it to get closer to your final destination if needed.

Photos (1)

Bus line 39 from Gare du Nord to Paris

Cost

€2.10

Trip Duration

33 Min.

The total trip duration may vary depending on traffic conditions.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Bus line 39 departs from Gare du Nord every 20 minutes on average, from 06:30 until 01:20 daily.

Where do I take the bus from?

The nearest bus stop to Gare du Nord for line 39 is Gare du Nord – Dunkerque. There should be signs in the train station leading you to the right exit but you can also use your mobile to locate the bus stop on the map.

Convenience

The bus is a convenient transportation option to get from Gare du Nord to the city centre. It’s usually less busy than the trains and it will take you directly downtown. Note that it’s the slowest of the public transport options and has the longest intervals between each departure from Gare du Nord. If you’re in a hurry, a private transfer or the train will provide faster transportation.

Timetables

Journey planner

From Gare du Nord to Palais Royal - Comedie Francaise

Bus line 39

Map and timetable

Public transport tickets

Information and purchase

Editor’s Note

The bus may be less popular than the infamous Paris Metro but it's still a good value-for-money option if you're not in a hurry. Unlike the trains or the metro, the bus can offer some great views along the way, which is an added bonus if you're travelling by day.

Useful Tips

You can purchase a ticket on the bus but it will cost €2.50 instead of €2.10 and it will be valid only for one trip.

The bus timetable is subject to change so make sure to track the route you want in real-time.

You can carry your luggage on the bus at no extra cost.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Paris. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

DAYTIME

€44.0

NIGHTTIME

€52.0

Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

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Frequently asked questions

How far is Paris Gare du Nord from Paris city centre?

The distance from Gare du Nord to the city centre is approximately 3.5 km and the ride there by car or taxi usually takes about 20 minutes, due to heavy traffic.

How can I get from Gare du Nord to the city centre of Paris?

There are many options to get from Gare du Nord to Paris; a private transfer or taxi, the train, the metro, or the bus. A standard taxi from the rank costs on average €15 and the ride usually takes around 20 minutes depending on traffic conditions. Using public transportation is a cheaper alternative with the single adult ticket at €2.10 for all means of transport. You can use train lines B or D to reach Châtelet les Halles in the 1st arrondissement in 8 minutes or the metro’s line 7 from Poissonnière to Pyramides, which takes 6 minutes. Finally, you can take bus line 39, which directly connects Gare du Nord to the 1st arrondissement.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Paris Gare du Nord to Paris?

All official taxis in Paris are metered and must adhere to set rates imposed by local authorities. The fare may vary depending on distance, trip duration, and traffic conditions, but for a ride from Gare du Nord to the city centre you can expect to pay around €15 for a standard cab from the taxi rank.

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