Gare du Nord

Train station · Saint-Vincent-de-Paul

Gare du Nord

Train station · Saint-Vincent-de-Paul

1

18 Rue de Dunkerque, 75010 Paris, France

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Gare du Nord by Image by GUIZIOU Franck / Getty Images
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Gare du Nord by null
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Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null
Gare du Nord by null

Highlights

Vast station serving northern France, UK, Belgium, Netherlands & Germany  

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18 Rue de Dunkerque, 75010 Paris, France Get directions

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18 Rue de Dunkerque, 75010 Paris, France Get directions

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Last updated

Aug 19, 2025

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The MICHELIN Guide France 2022: stellar hotels for star-studded nights in Paris

"The location, where the 10th meets the 3rd, is one of Paris’s emerging hotspots, closer to Canal Saint Martin and the upper Marais than to any of the typical tourist destinations — it’s largely uncharted territory for hotels, and there’s no better feeling for a boutique hotelier than breaking new ground." - Le Guide MICHELIN

https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/travel/the-michelin-guide-france-2022-stellar-hotels-for-star-studded-nights-in-paris
View Postcard for Gare du Nord

Russo Gasimov

Google
Gare du Nord in Paris is truly impressive! This station is absolutely massive, yet everything is well-organized and easy to navigate. Despite the hustle and bustle, signs are clear, and staff are helpful. What I really appreciated was the variety of eateries and coffee spots, perfect for grabbing a bite or drink before catching your train. Whether you’re heading across France or into another country, this station makes the experience smooth and comfortable. It’s a great mix of efficiency and Parisian charm.

Mark’s Wanderlust

Google
This was really very beautiful. we loved it very much. definitely a recommendation to go there once. And everything is easy to find. Negatives: it is quite busy especially at the Eurostar waiting area to go to Amsterdam. there is little seating or already full. if you really want to sit you will have to take a drink in one of the coffee cafes. We went to Starbucks bought a coffee and all our luggage. The Eurostar to London is a whole different story.

Chris Gledhill

Google
The main Eurostar terminal is upstairs and local trains are on the ground floor. Like lots of things in Paris it looks beautiful but is very inefficient. Expect to queue for everything and don’t expect too much help from the staff. There is a reasonable selection of shops and cafes. Big taxi rank outside.

The K Green Show

Google
Very busy main train station in Paris. International trains arrive and depart from here such as the Eurostar. The local trains conveniently depart from here as well so you can avoid a taxi altogether. Not much seating so for EU travel it really is OK to arrive 30 minutes before your train leaves. For travel to London you better be there 90 min to 2 hrs to get through passport control. The halls are easy to navigate to get on your train. Do watch out for pick pockets and people asking for money.

Amdjed Islam DALI

Google
Gare du Nord is one of the most important stations in Paris, serving local and regional trains, metros, and RER. Very practical and well-connected, but it's often overcrowded, not very clean, and you need to be careful with pickpockets.

Mrs P

Google
The station was very busy, inside and out around 3.30pm on a weekday. There are lots of eateries which is great and a few shops inside. You'll need to pay to use the toilets which are based on the lower ground. The toilets were quite smelly and not what you'd expect considering they're maintained to be kept clean. Outside the station by the Kfc road, there were lots of people in groups just hanging, looking suspicious. It did not feel very safe. The Eurostar is located upstairs.

Y S

Google
easy to access eurostar, took a train from London and the station is well organized, easily fond the way to go. The station was clean but outside of the station was not so clean and stinky. The traffic outside was croweed and it was hard to call a taxi by Bolt due to the traffic with a construction.

JN-21

Google
Good station. Have connection with several lines and Eurostar. Bathroom is not an issue like in other locations. Good options for eating. Plenty of restaurants.
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Manda Bear B.

Yelp
Gare du Nord is Paris's grand old train station--charmingly chaotic and bursting with life. It might not be the sleekest station, but it's got character (and probably a few pigeons for ambiance). As a hub, it's super accessible, with connections to everywhere, though Paris being walkable means you might not even need the trains--just your comfy shoes. Yes, it's a bit of a maze, and sure, it could use a little TLC, but hey, that's part of the charm! Think of it as Paris: slightly unpolished, a tad chaotic, but undeniably captivating. Just keep an eye on your baguette--it might attract some attention! It's an easiest tube I take from London to Paris, just 2.15 mins, easy breeze through...
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Annie Y.

Yelp
Paris has seven major train stations or gares, that connect to the rest of France and Europe. Gare du Nord is larger than the Louvre with monumental glass walls. It is huge! My train leaves at 10 am to London and I arrived to the station at around 7:45 am because I knew that I have to go through two securities (France/Great Britain side). The line was surprisingly short for US passport holders and the very friendly officer told me that I was too early and to wait until 8:20 am to pass through. Interesting, that's a first! I wasn't the only that got there too early. There were two other couples that had arrived early too. Once we were able to go through, it was smooth. The de-tax was even more smooth. You submit your de-tax on the self-service kiosks. It took less than 5 minutes. No one was checking your items or need to put a stamp on your forms like airports. There are several food options after you passed security to grab breakfast, sandwiches and drinks. Tips: If you can, use the bathroom after security because you have to pay $1 euro to use the bathroom before security. Not a big deal but it's a pain if you don't have any cash/coins.
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Matthew S.

Yelp
Quite a letdown... The station itself is okay, but you have to be careful of pickpockets. I also did not appreciate having to pay for toilets. That is such a nuisance. I get it, in Europe that is the norm, but to charge me for my own faults is just absurd. Thankfully it is not much. Seeing the trains up close is real cool. I took advantage of that. Food options are decent too. But there is nowhere to sit. You are on your own standing most of the time. This was a forgettable experience.
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John B.

Yelp
Always crowded. However it's a necessary evil. You will have to use this place to get around at some point.
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Derek S.

Yelp
Took the train out of Gare du Nord yesterday and it was a mediocre experience. Gare du Nord is connected with the Metro which was convenient but when exiting, it required an additional validation before exiting the gates from the Metro to the train station. The vibe at the station was rather chaotic with travelers along with security guards spread out. Trains to the UK are from the upper level where no cupped drinks are permitted (only bottled). To enter the area, a scan of the train ticket is required. From there, there are 2 immigration counters, one to leave to the EU and one to enter the UK. eGates are available. There is also a security scan post immigration along with a small customs counter. Food selection is available, albeit much more limited post security, with 3 shops featuring sandwiches, coffees, and pastries. As one of the moving walkways were out of service. Lugging luggage down the stairs was the only option... Make sure to pack light!
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Jonathan R.

Yelp
Gare du Nord was an absolute disaster as the passport automated checkers were down. The lines for customs were insane. This caused a 60 minute train delay for our trip from Paris to London. From what I Understand this happens often. Terribly disorganized.
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Brooke G.

Yelp
Paris! And oh my gosh are we exhausted It the easiest for non French speakers to navigate-we searched for a bathroom for 20 min before going up. Otherwise it's basically on par with any train station or airport. Taxi's are easy to get once you find the space for them. For my American friends there is a Starbucks in case you need your fix.
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Emil C.

Yelp
For my most recent trip into Paris, I flew into Charles de Gaulle Airport. After getting through customs, I found my way over to the RER B train station and took that down to this transit station. While this station served many lines, there were plenty of signs including directions on the ground to direct you to where you need to go. From here I headed over to the Magenta station to catch the RER E over to the Haussmann Saint-Lazare station for a short walk over to my hotel.
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Katherine P.

Yelp
We took the Eurostar from Paris to London and we departed from here. There are some restaurants and stores inside to keep you busy before departing. It's located in a very busy area so you can walk around outside while waiting if you chose.
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Lizzie Y.

Yelp
Gare du Nord is located by 18th Arrondissement, which can look a bit sketchy but it is safe during the day. As long as you're not out and about near this area at night when the sun goes down, you'll be fine. Lots of pickpocketing activity goes down in this area though. Just pack light if you are able to and be mindful of your surroundings. Once you're inside, it is quite safe. Took the Eurostar from here to London last week and did not have any problems. Coffee and souvenir shops located inside. The Eurostar train to go to UK is upstairs. Can go up via escalator. Once you're upstairs, you just go through passport check & bag inspection. If you're visiting Paris & London, I highly suggest Eurostar for your travels. It is the fastest mode of travel & least stressful of the other two options, plane & bus. Only 2 hr 20 min. No need to worry about traveling to the airport (~40min ride to CDG) & waiting, baggage claim, & etc.
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Joe D.

Yelp
Gare du Nord has been vastly improved for the Olympics. There is a new glass enclosed "Main Street" that makes it much easier to navigate. Signage is clear and the staff is reasonably helpful, especially for a busy train station. The Eurostar, TGV, intercity, suburban and subway lines all come through this station. My only real complaint is the exterior and the neighborhood surrounding. Especially outside daytime hours, a couple of corner policemen outside would be a very good idea.
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Kat M.

Yelp
Such a busy train station and the restrooms, you have to pay 1 euro to use it. There are free restrooms near the Eurostar platforms though. A lot of food option inside and near the station.
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Marcela O.

Yelp
This train station is huge! Also very busy and people here are on the go so move quickly and know where you're going. I was taking the Eurostar into London but it was very easy to find for me as there was a huge sign directing to that platform. I did like that security was very tight here. I had to scan my passport twice and go through luggage check before arriving to my waiting area. The waiting area was packed! So I had to stand the whole time give or take a few empty seats here and there but since I kept hearing and seeing people cough and sneeze without covering their mouths, I chose to stay away from anyone as best as I could. The train inside was a little stuffy and also tight but the ride was smooth and pretty cool knowing you're crossing the English Channel. I'd take the train again to London as it was only 2.5 hours. I could have taken a flight but chose to experience the train instead and to avoid the airport traffic.
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Ginette P.

Yelp
Here's the main train station in Paris, it's a pretty big station that's located in the center making it easy for international and domestic travel. It has a nice classic style with plenty of shops & stores to help you pass the time while u wait. There's plenty of seating available as well which is nice. Second time here & each time it was an easy experience, easy enough to follow, the big screen & signs help guide u.
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Ausanka D.

Yelp
This amazing place, the architecture. To take RER this is the place, line 4-5. The gare allowed you to go to north of France.
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Ana P.

Yelp
Review #22 for the 2024 year! lets gooo!! I love the architecture of this train station. In high school I took french and learned so much about the city and I was just in awwe when I got to see it in person! I was actually coming here to catch my train for Amsterdam but our bad luck kept following us and we missed our train by 10 minutes. It was really confusing at first because we took the tube to get here and the entrance to the tube to here are connected but there were no clear directions (in English anyway) on how to get to the platforms. We were told one thing and then told to go to another and it was really confusing. It did not help that we were in a rush because our bus stopped in the middle of its route and we had to go to plan B. I do wanna say Thank you and God bless all the workers working here at the train station. Thanks for being patient with us tourist (specially Americans) and thanks for literally showing us where to go, not just pointing. The train station was very busy with lots of people coming and going. Per my friend, the bathrooms here were the nicest we have encounter so far. You do have to pay to use them but in her opinion it was well worth it. I did not get to experience it but I take her word. There were no places to sit as it was so busy so I just sat on the flood, I did not care. When the time started getting close to departure we saw a lot more people coming in and they also sat on the floor because there was no place to sit. There were a variety of places to grab a bite to eat so no problem there. However do keep in mind that outside the train station were lots of homeless people and we were also warned about potential pick pocket thief's here so keep an eye out.
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Saira K.

Yelp
Gare du Nord is extremely busy, it's the busiest train station in Paris. It's located in the northern part of Paris in the 10th arrondissement. You can walk to Montmartre and the Sacré-Coeur. It opened in 1866. You can walk to Gare de l'Est in 10 minutes. The Eurostar is here.
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James A.

Yelp
Second time to this train station, this time from London through the Chunnel on the Eurostar bullet train. This is the busiest train station by volume, and even on a Sunday night, it was very busy. This time, we got a Paris hotel close by, and walked to it with our luggage. Not the easiest way to travel, but the most cost effective.
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Diana G.

Yelp
Arrived at the station from London. When we arrived, we noticed it was very busy. Probably one of the busiest train stations. I've been to on this trip. We exited out and went downstairs to catch the metro. If you use the bathrooms downstairs, they do charge 1 pound. You can use your card or Apple Pay. The bathrooms are clean. You can buy a subway card downstairs. Don't use the first machines to buy your metro card. They have some more near the entrance to the metro with no line. We left out of the station to go back to London the same day in the evening. It was easy to go through passport control, and security. It didn't take long. Even though the station is big and busy, it was easy to maneuver.
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Thuy Dan T.

Yelp
We came to this train station to head to Brussels and it was quite smooth. Upon entering, we found the desk to get our tickets and were able to locate the platform and train carriage quickly. I recommend arriving at the station with minimum 20 minutes to your flight, especially if you have luggage so you can store it properly before heading to your seat. Some of the trains have a carriage for drinks and snacks (but it can get a little crowded). The train station itself is beautiful, but I would also make sure you keep your belongings close for any lingering people around the station. Calling an Uber (or Bolt) can take a bit to the station, but there is public metro directly connected. Bathrooms are available but cost 1 euro.
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Kristelle C.

Yelp
Yes!! Ride the train to Paris from London in less than 2 hours. I'm so confused not sure if we traveled underwater to cross to Europe or over a bridge that I wasn't aware of??? But the ride was comfortable (Eurostar) and they even feed you with a full meal, ahem, sandwich, drink, cookie and other sides like chips or crackers, which beats southwest' snacks and beverage. Scenic and peaceful train ride. Allowed me to catch up on some reading. Gare Du Nord train station is pretty large. They were doing some construction when we arrived so it was kind of hectic
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Tom G.

Yelp
It's just fine as we arrived this evening from London. Nothing really out of place, really rather routine. Offloading and picking up 40 Metro tickets. I think it worked out too 1.60 € each... Saving 0.5 Euro per ticket Why three stars? I consider three stars to be perfectly dead. Normal and average
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Dominic K.

Yelp
Not a ton of amenities. Truly freezing in January. There are a few places for pastries and a coffee. I wouldn't come here more than an hour before boarding.
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Nai S.

Yelp
This is a beautiful train station reminiscent of old school Grand Central Station. It is easy to navigate. I was lost as to where to begin but since I'm in an EU country going to another EU country there was no custims. A very friendly worker helped me, and he spoke English. There is a bag limitation, but I went shopping so I have an extra bag. Will update yo see what happens...
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n m.

Yelp
Large, disorganized and workers that seem to be just as confused and/or indifferent as the tourists traveling through. Asked a few workers how to get to a specific platform and they all had different responses, none of which were correct. When boarding, it's just a scrum of people, no order or queues, chaos running into chaos of disembarking passengers. This was third time traveling through this station and the experience has not improved over time. Could think it's such a mess since main hub, but other similarly busy stations have got it together and are so much more functional.
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Derek L.

Yelp
One star because of French border agents. Almost all incompetent except for the person who actually stamps your passport. He was cool. At first I was really excited on how easy the VAT process was. I had two forms and they both scanned as Intended and were green lit. Good to go! But no, as we were leaving, we are stopped by an agent who asks for the paperwork and passport, which I happily provided. Mind you my purchases were less than $10k, so shouldn't be a big deal. Everything checks out, but now he wants to see the item. So we unpack our luggage and show him the box which was packaged nicely from the Chanel store as it was a gift. He made us undo the packaging so he could look at the handbag for half a second. He then just left my passport lying on the counter without even saying anything. Just being a complete dick because he can be. My wife asked if there was a problem and he said no, no problem but you are in French territory so you do as I say. After all that, we realized that we only received one of two VAT refund validations. We now have to spend the extra time figuring out how to get the refund for our larger purchase. Loser.
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Cynthia J.

Yelp
At the Gare Du Nord you go to catch your train that has multiple stops and express trains to take passengers to the airport. One thing to know about arriving here looking as if you don't know what you're doing you are vulnerable to pick pockets or people taking you around in circles pretending to help then when you stop they will be very persistent that you give them a tip for information. I gave her a one Euro coin and went along my merry way. Also, there can be 24 platforms and you only know what platform to be on so it's good to stay in the middle so you're not running to your spot. It's a very cool, fast paced ride to your destination. Can't wait to go back to Paris
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Gregg H.

Yelp
One of the most beautiful, well run train stations I've been in. I haven't been in many, but this one was pretty nice. People easy to find to give you direction, very nice about it too and could tell us in English (an added bonus). I wouldn't hesitate a bit to go again when in country. Europe makes the US look dumb when it comes to travel. We need to take note...
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Ana W.

Yelp
They need to be more organized here. For some odd reason, they make everyone wait in the hallway until the train comes so it's super cramped and chaotic. Makes no sense. I didn't have this issue at Brussels or London train stations.
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Ann W.

Yelp
I always heard that Europe has the most efficient and wonderful train system. This station was clearly a bust. I don't know what it is, but the staff members looked miserable; didn't enjoy their job. They took their sweet time instead of assisting tourists that support their economy. This train station was so confusing and adding u helpful staff made things 100x worse. Stay away from this station, nothing is good about it.
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Dave B.

Yelp
Huge. Trains and metro. A bit overwhelming for the newly arrived traveler on their first visit.
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James N.

Yelp
Gare du Nord is an incredibly busy train station in Paris It's a massive, bustling station with a lot of hustle and bustle. But despite the crowds, it's actually a pretty efficient and easy-to-use station. However if you're taking a taxi, be aware do the "fake" taxis with high tariffs. You'll see signs posted warning you of such. But basically, stay in the legit taxi line and you'll be okay. The station is well-signposted, so it's easy to find your way around. There are also a number of shops and cafes, so you can grab a bite to eat or do some shopping while you're waiting for your train.
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Chris S.

Yelp
The station itself is okay but located in an area that appears to be dangerous. Take when trying to catch a taxi and seriously consider whether to walk anywhere in the neighborhood.
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Vince L.

Yelp
Train stations are awesome, so I'm a bit biased. We were here to take the train to visit Chateau Chantilly. Unfortunately, the scheduled train was cancelled, so we were scrambling to figured out what was going on (and the fact that it was cancelled to begin with). The sign board didn't indicate it, and it was only via announcements in French. After asking 4 different people, we finally found someone by the train who confirmed it. It was hard to figure out the next available one on your own, and it took her a solid five minutes to tell us which one had our stop. Google Maps was somewhat helpful as well. The station was fairly clean and there were plenty of shops for dining and light shopping. Since the next train out wasn't for an hour and a half, we decided to wander outside for some fresh air. Not surprisingly, the neighborhood seemed a bit shady. I was thinking it wouldn't be a good idea to hang out if it was dark out.
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Sherry M.

Yelp
Interesting train station ! During our day trip to Paris we came during the train/subway strike ! Parts are very cold and in the open air - some are inside where it is warm. Today was a long day waiting and waiting and waiting and when one train is behind schedule all the trains that follow will be as well. They try very hard to get people through security as quickly as possible but it doesn't work. The lines are huge and they make it hard with many security screening spots. I totally understand all the security measures and truly appreciate them but it needs some more organization. The food stations inside are wonderful! Be prepared for anything!!
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Rebekah T.

Yelp
Arrived in Paris at the Gare du Nord with my family after traveling on the Eurostar from London. After getting off the train, we navigated through this busy station. My sister has to use the restroom, which you have to pay for. She ends up having to use the ATM, then you have to break change with a vendor to have proper change. The whole thing was a hassle, especially for someone arriving without currency yet. The saddest part is the people who are nodding off on drugs just outside the station. They were not hurting anyone but themselves, but it's so unfortunate to see people just pass them by. The streets around the station seem very sketchy as well, so mind your luggage and know where you are headed before you venture out from the station. This was my least favorite part of the trip, frustrating but at least we didn't have to stay in the area. Off to explore Paris!
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Zacharias P.

Yelp
Gare du Nord is one of the biggest and busiest train stations in Paris, and it is where the Eurostar between England and France operates from. Given the importance of the station, it is unfortunate how unappealing it is. The station is extremely busy but has very few areas for passengers to sit and wait, and restrooms were difficult to find. Plan ahead when using this station and allow yourself enough time to get there and to get through the station. Options for food were limited. The waiting room for the Eurostar felt more like a refugee camp, and the whole operation felt a lot more disorganized when compared to the UK side. The British put an extraordinary amount into making st. Pancras station a pleasure to use...the French would do well to do the same with Gare du Nord.
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Tyler L.

Yelp
This is the main train station in Paris. I arrived here coming from London and departed here on to Brussels. It's centrally located making it easy to international and domestic destinations. It is a huge station and being over 150 years old, it has a nice classical architectural design. There are a decent amount of shops and stores here as well while you wait for your train.
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Rizma W.

Yelp
Crowded. Noisy. Tiny, slow elevators. No seating areas. Unclear / Unhelpful signage. Even more unhelpful (Eurostar) staff. ...and you have to pay to use the bathrooms. In short, this place is a shitshow. But there are lots of cafes, so at least you won't be hungry AND frustrated. PRO TIPS: 1. Use the bathrooms on your train before you disembark. Paying to pee is so uncivilized. 2. Do not ride with anyone soliciting you and offering taxi services (use only taxis with official signage/lights, and that have meters in the vehicle) 2a. Better yet, take the Metro. The ticket machines are in 4 languages, including English. It's a much cheaper option (although also crowded), and with Google's help, you have an excellent chance of getting where you need to be.
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Nicole E.

Yelp
Super convenient and easy train station to ride into from Germany. I wouldn't even want to try to drive in the heart of Paris, it's a mad zoo, people drive in a mad frenzy, it's a normal flow to them, but to the outsider, it looks chaotic. They have fast trains all over Europe, why not take the Euro rail, it's so stress free. This is a pretty large train station, it's bustling at most hours.
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Ashley G.

Yelp
Sad to say it, but avoid this place as best you can. It's not the safest place or the most savory. There are times that you shouldn't be in the area (dark and late), and even though it's one of the busiest stations in the world, it doesn't appear to have much if any security in or around the station, staff is also not to be found easily. The main platform to and from the airport is very busy and in a shady area. No matter how many times I've been here- this is the one place I always feel unsafe. Try to avoid any connections here and opt for other locations during the evening and night time/very early AM. If you're a tourist looking to come into the city through Eurostar during the daytime (9a-4/5p) it's safe as it can be, but other times should likely be avoided. The vagrancy surrounding Gare du nord is astounding, and the lack of mindful care in the way of security by the city for its largest train station is upsetting.
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Ren N.

Yelp
Huge station! Major transportation and transfer area. Be aware of pick pockets! This station reminds me of New York city's central station where all lines connect. It is housed in a beautiful large building, kept in pristine clean conditions. Always ask for directions if you're lost, because thus is such a large station, despite signs everywhere, there will always be a helping hand. Plenty of escalators and elevators for those handicapped or with large luggage.
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Nicole C.

Yelp
Gare du Nord is not a pleasant place for travelers and is overall uncomfortable. Officers carry semi automatic rifles at their sides. Makes me highly uncomfortable. You have to pay to use the bathroom. So if I don't have money, are we expected to pee our pants ? Not enough seating or accommodations while people wait. I am currently sitting in the floor along with like 400 other people. The small amount of chairs they DO have are uncomfortable and have no back. Very little charging ports available. Poor signage. Staff isn't the most helpful. It's confusing, chaotic and stuffy in here.
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Maria G.

Yelp
This place reminds me of the train station in London. The architecture and layover seem familiar. To catch the Eurostar to go to London, head upstairs via the elevator/escalator and present your travel document on the upper level. 4 stars because there is not really a seating area. For a huge station like this, it feels somewhat chaotic. There are people standing everywhere waiting for their trains. I tried my best to not be in the way for others, but I feel like I have to constantly move around. Relatively easy to navigate your way around the station. Signage is pretty clear.
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Darylynn D.

Yelp
This is THE station to get to and from Paris. There are connections with Paris metro, RER trains, and buses. If you are taking Paris metro there are so many lines in the station just follow the line you are transferring to. There are also plenty of stores as you are walking through the station. If you need to take the busses or connecting trains like the Eurostar, again, follow the signs. You will be lead to ground level with more stores and plenty of trains taking you out of Paris.
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Louisa M.

Yelp
Most travelers to Europe will have no choice but to pass through Gare du Nord, one of the largest and busiest train stations in Paris. I've been here many times and I still don't like this station. First, it's ugly and nondescript inside. I don't require my stations to be grand and beautiful, but this one is just "meh" on all levels. It's absolutely huge too, making it a confusing puzzle to find your platform / the Metro / the bathroom. There are ridiculously few dining options but thankfully the Eurostar platform construction is now complete and there's a Paul boulangerie and a couple of other food and shopping outlets upstairs. Also if you're a tourist, try really hard to blend in or risk getting your luggage or wallet stolen. Google "popular Paris scams" before your trip so you'll be better prepared.
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Greg S.

Yelp
What an incredible train station this is. Originally opened in 1866 entering the station and the environment around it is like stepping into the past. You feel a sense of adventure and marvel at this earlier feat of engineering. I booked my own trip on expedia, hotel too and it was only a block away from this station. All the building around the station are of a similar age, 6-7 stories surrounding a center courtyard around the block, narrow winding staircases. France and paris in particular is FULL of them. I love looking up the spiral staircases of Paris from the bottom floor, or looking down from the top! The station retains just about all of its original charm, but what's interesting is that over the years, layer after layer of other lines (trains/transport) was stacked below the station. So as you go down 4 or more levels, it gets more modern. Like 'other world' modern. The station is centrally located in Paris and transportation to any part of the city is so easy. I was able to hop on the EuroStar train from here and headed over to merry old London town in about the time it takes to watch a movie. A fantastic trip under the English channel and I popped up in downtown London about 3 blocks for Harrods department store where yet another adventure waited in Knightsbridge, London. I took thousands of high-def pics on my trip and I'm glad that I did. Even years later, I'm able to pull them up and study detail that I hadn't even noticed while standing directly in front of some of these places. This trip was a trip and to go from downtown Paris to London so easily was really something. Dream big, go! You'll never regret it! -G
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Aaron S.

Yelp
Gare du Nord is the world's largest train station outside of Japan, considering that the state of this station is so sad to see, it's swarmed by homeless people and drug addicts, and the sketchy, smelly streets around the station surely is the worst welcome to Paris anyone could get, especially considering this is the main station used for Eurostar services and international services from countries such as the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands. The beautiful city of Paris isn't given any justice through Gare Du Nord, and the state of this station means the whole city and country should be ashamed of such a major station. You'd never see that in Amsterdam or London or even Germany, which is home to half of Europe's top 20 busiest stations by passenger number. There were a small number of places to grab food, souvenirs or drink before travel, mainly your huge chains including Paul and Five Guys who also have many places around the city if you are travelling via the Eurostar please remember once you go through security there is literally nothing and you can't leave to nip to the shops etc, you can get to the Eurostar platforms by the lift/staircase at the entrance opposite Burger King, again this isn't signposted at all and it seems every sign around the station seems to have forgotten Eurostar. Lack of staff around the station too, especially considering how hidden the Eurostar is if heading from the bus terminal, makes it hard to navigate. The main concourse of the station and the ceiling is stunning, buses going into the station via a bus interchange also makes it easy to get to but that seems to be where the positives end as far as I'm concerned. 2* - I wouldn't feel safe letting a young person or lady walk around the station on their own, I don't even feel too safe myself, it just makes me sad to see the state such a major station not just for Paris, but the whole of Europe has become.
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Mark M.

Yelp
A nice looking station but important aspects I don't care for, -I don't like the grooves in the floor that make your luggage wheels get stuck. -At 7:30am there was no information desk to help me and answer my questions. -Going upstairs for my Eurostar train was very inconvenient and a very slow process going through EU customs and especially UK customs. -A big lack of places to give you a hot breakfast that includes items like fried eggs.