How do I travel by train to the French Alps?

• You'll need to arrive at St Pancras around 90 minutes before your Eurostar departs (but double-check the recommended check-in time on your ticket). 

• After going through security checks and passport control (for both UK and French authorities and completing EES checks), there is ample space to sit and wait to board.
• Once through, there's a coffee shop (Pret à Manger), a bar and a small shop for essentials. 

• Boarding is simple, you take a travelator or lift up to platform level.
• There are two points to access the platform, which one you use depends on your carriage number.

• There are no more security or passport checks when you arrive in Gare du Nord, you simply walk off the train onto the station concourse. 
• The RER and Metro entrance is easily found, just metres from where you leave the Eurostar (see purple arrow on photo!)

• You'll go down some stairs to the Metro entrance level.
• There are clear signs indicating the Metro with numbered lines in coloured circles, and the RER with lines indicated with letters in square boxes.  

• If taking the RER (the quickest and easiest route, just 2 stops), you'll take line D (the green line) to the Gare de Lyon
• If taking the Metro, you'll need to change twice, initially you'll take line 5 (orange) towards Place d'Italie. 

Tickets

RER and Metro tickets can both be bought on the Bonjour RATP app.

There are often long queues at Metro/RER ticket machines at the Gare du Nord so it's worth downloading the Bonjour RATP app and purchasing your Metro/RER tickets through that.

You need to register/create an account first so don’t leave it to the last minute! 

The ticket then sits in your phone wallet ready for scanning. 

You can load different 'cards' on to one phone if you have children with you who don't have phones. If they do have phones then it's easiest for them each to have the app. 

When choosing tickets, select Tickets for occasional trips. A one-way RER or Metro ticket (they are valid for both) currently costs 2.55 euro.

• Gare de Lyon is just two stops on Line D (the green line) of the RER from Gare du Nord, where the Eurostar arrives
• You'll be taking a southbound train.
• It's likely to show the final destination as either Melun; Corbeil-Essonnes; or Malesherbes. 

• Stops are clearly listed on screens on the platforms, just look for Gare de Lyon
• Announcements at the Gare du Nord station when we were last there were made in multiple languages including English
• You'll stop at Chatelet les Halles then get off at Gare de Lyon

• If you have time (it's a little longer journey than the RER), the Metro feels like a more authentically Parisian and 'romantic' way to travel between stations. 
• Metro lines are numbered and rather than, like the London Underground, using direction to indicate where they are headed (southbound, westbound etc.), they use their destination.
• Metro line 5 (orange on the map) runs from Bobigny-Pablo Picasso in the north to Place d'Italie in the south. 
• Southbound line 5 trains will say 'Direction Place d'Italie'.
• Take line 5 seven stops towards Place d'Italie
• Get off at Bastille and change to line 1 (yellow on the map) towards Chateau de Vincennes.
• Get off at the next stop, which is Gare de Lyon 

• You could take a taxi from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon
• We can arrange this for you.
• Traffic in central Paris can be heavy so although this way avoids so much carrying of luggage, it can take longer. 

• On arrival at the Gare de Lyon
• Follow signs for the main station, like this one that say 'Accès aux trains' or 'Grandes Lignes' (main line trains)

• TGV Inoui services are excellent 
• They usually offer double decker coaches

• There's on board wifi, a buffet car, comfortable seats and plenty of luggage space.
• The free entertainment options accessible from the wifi including films, we found a good selection in English (with French subtitles)

Travelling by train allows you to get even closer to your destination, meaning just a short transfer from the station to resort. On each of our resort pages we give you the closest station and the distance - or just call our team for a chat.

At Bourg St Maurice (the gateway to lots of our resorts), the bus station is right next to the train station. 

We can arrange private taxi transfers to your resort.

Local trains (TER) are used when there isn't a direct TGV at the time you want to travel. These are comfortable but will have less 'frills' than the TGV service with no seat reservations, limited wifi and no buffet facilities, but they tend to be used for shorter legs of your journey.

You'll generally be changing somewhere larger like Chambery or Lyon. These stations usually have good waiting areas with wifi. 

"On a trip from Bourg St Maurice to Paris, we had to change in Chambery. We picked up pastries from a supermarket opposite the station in Bourg St Maurice and enjoyed these with a coffee whilst waiting for our train in Chambery's new lounge area with views over the surrounding mountains." Alison, Peak Retreats ski expert

If you ever went interrailling in France, you might recognise the interior of this local train from Bourg St Maurice to Chambery. This is typical of the older local trains, but more modern ones can be swisher double decker affairs. We love the nostalgia of this one!

Just round the corner from Gare du Nord, you can get away from the busy station vibe and find little neighbourhood cafés. This one is a three minute walk and feels much more relaxed than the bustling station concourse. 

The Eglise Saint-Vincent-de-Paul is also just a three minute walk from the Gare du Nord and has a beautiful facade with painted frescos, as well as a small park in front of it. You feel like you are in 'proper' Paris in minutes. 

Why book with Peak Retreats? 

We’re a small, UK-based team of French Alps experts who are here to make your holiday hassle-free. We’re proud winners of the Telegraph Travel Award for Best Ski Operator 2025 and we’re members of ABTA, for your peace of mind.
 
We are committed to going the extra mile, from booking travel and activities to offering you tailored advice on the best resorts and accommodation. We're always just a phone call away.
 
But our support doesn’t end when you book! We provide 24/7 assistance while you’re away, personalised info packs and regular travel updates to keep you informed. 

With over 20 years experience and in-depth knowledge of the French Alps, we’re dedicated to ensuring your trip runs smoothly.  

To get tailored advice for your next French Alps holiday, give us a call on 023 9283 9310 or email reservations@peakretreats.co.uk. 

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