How to get from Gare du Nord to Montparnasse in Paris

[bloodyunicorns]

Cab or train? RER line 4 goes straight there, but how long does it take? Has anyone done this? Thanks!

I just put both stops in on Google maps, it said 15 stops on the train- approx 18 minutes plus a 500m walk at the end. Lots of apps other than Google maps will give you exact times etc.

Thanks - I did that too, just wondered if anyone has done it in real life!

I've done it and the Google timings are correct. Don't sit near the door and hold your bag TIGHT. We saw some boys get on and try and swipe a woman's handbag right before the doors closed again.

Bloody Eurostar is half an hour late. Anyone done taxi from gare du Nord to Montparnasse?? How long does it usually take?

About half an hour on line 4 including walking, was there a couple of weeks ago.

Metro, every time. Paris traffic can be nuts.

Definitely quickest by RER, not taxi!

But the ticket queues! We haven't got tickets. You used to be able to buy them on the Eurostar, but not now...

Do you have the Citymapper app? It currently shows the journey taking 27 mins by RER vs 44 mins by cab.
This aligns with my experience that metro/RER are usually the fastest way of getting about. Haven’t been recently though so haven’t experienced ticket queues. Does anyone know if you still have to buy paper tickets or can you just use your credit/debit card on the turnstiles like in London?

Hope you make your train!

I did Gare du Nord to Montparnasse years ago and followed the advice from The Man in Seat 61:

www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Paris.htm

Allow an hour if using the metro as there's a very long walk at Montparnasse.

My Eurostar train was also delayed and arrived into Paris late. I'd read online about delays and missing connecting trains (you can't just get on the next long-distance train in France, you have to be booked on it) so I knew to ask the onboard conductor to mark my ticket (it was paper back then) with a Eurostar delay. I didn't get to Montparnasse in time for my TGV train so went to the ticket office, explained about the Eurostar delay (I showed them my paper ticket - don't know what happens now with e-tickets) and they booked me on the next TGV. At that time they had little flags displayed in the window to show which languages that member of staff spoke, so the whole conversation was in English. It was very easy - the staff are used to those situations.

I think you can buy a carnet (10) of the paper tickets at machines too, which might be quicker than queuing at the ticket office. Beware of strangers offering to 'help' you use your credit card on the machines. I'm sure it must be a scam but I don't know how it works.

Ooh, I've just seen that Paris paper tickets are being phased out:

www.ratp.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs/arret-carnet-ticket

So they might still be available or otherwise you'll need to buy a Navigo Easy pass and have it loaded with tickets. There's a phone app too but that page is all in French.

Line 4 - takes about 40 minutes if memory serves me right - I used to live in that area.

Careful of your belongings, everything valuable needs to be on your person, I recommend a bum bag or one of those small cross body bags that can be hidden under clothes. Don't stop to talk to anyone, pretend you don't speak English if you are asked and ignore, ignore, ignore.

I got paper rer tickets a couple of weeks ago.
The machines are tricky to work out. I speak French but the system was confusing.
The ratp booths for tickets are easier if you don't know what kind of fare you need

The app is a bit confusing as you need some kind of magical way of connecting your bank card.

Their mate comes to frisk your bags and pockets whilst you're distracted at the ticket machine, one of the oldest tricks in the book.

If you're arriving today you can still get paper tickets, I think they are 1.90? They are called ticket T+ or you can get a carnet of ten. Machines aren't too difficult to understand, you need to select ticket option and not navigo.

Ha! Just got a carnet of ten metro tickets in the buffet. Going to give the metro a go. Should be faster than cab... I hope. Will watch out for pickpockets.

Made it with 30 mins to spare! It took 30 mins, with a 2-min walk at the end, not 12. Thanks for all the help!

Glad you made it!

Thank you for this thread I am doing the same trip myself next week.so glad you can stl buy your tickets in the buffet, don't mind having to buy 10. Last time I did gare du nord to gare de lyon and had to change metro and even that wasn't too bad

Glad you made it ok!

Everyone be super careful with your bags at Gare du Nord. There are lots of people hanging around, lots of pickpocketing.

@Papershade5 - I'm sure you just take the RER D from gare de Lyon to Gare de Nord? No changes?