How to get to Paris Gare de l'Est Train Station

Travel to train station Paris Gare de l'Est from Paris city center

France's bustling capital, Paris, also known as the City of Lights, is widely considered a global hub for art, fashion, gastronomy and culture, and has been since the 17th century. With tourist attractions ranging from the Louvre Museum, the world's largest art museum, to the winding banks of the Seine or the Gothic Notre Dame, tourists flock from far and wide to experience French culture and the rich history that comes with it. France has one of the most developed railway systems across the world, with Paris alone having six stations. These stations are Gare du Nord, Gare de Lyon, Gare d'Austerlitz, Gare Montparnasse, Gare Saint-Lazare and train station Paris Gare de l'Est. All the stations were built between the mid-to-late 1800s and early 1900s​ and have beautiful historic architecture, much like the city itself. Train station Paris Gare de l'Est is no exception, which opened in 1849 as the Gare de Strasbourg​ before changing the name in 1883. It was here people witnessed the first departure of the Orient Express. Gare du Nord is widely considered the main station in Paris, where travelers can access high-speed Eurostar trains with connections to England, Germany and The Netherlands.

​​What is the best way to get from train station Paris Gare de l'Est to Paris city center?

The station is located one and a half miles from the center of Paris where tourists will find many of the attractions including the Louvre museum. The city itself is larger than people may expect. It would take just over half an hour to walk, though passengers with lots of luggage may struggle with the cobbled streets. Thankfully the station is well connected with several subway links. Passengers can jump on subway line 7, stations are located under the train station platforms with clear signage, and in just ten minutes exit at Palais Royal Musée du Louvre​ to find themselves immersed in the city center. It is worth noting that Paris Gare du Nord is very close by, and can easily be walked as opposed to taking a stop on the subway, should travelers need it. It can be accessed via Rue d'Alsace, but this does involve stairs, so those with luggage may prefer to walk Boulevard Magenta or Rue du Faubourg St Denis for a flat option. Several bus lines operate from Gare de l'Est including lines 38, 46, and 65.

How far is it from the city center to train station Paris Gare de l'Est?

The distance from Paris city center to Paris Gare de l'Est is just over one and a half miles (or two and a half kilometers) which can be walked easily in just over half an hour, giving passengers a chance to take in the city's historic architecture. A walk from ​​the 1st arrondissement of Paris​ to Gare de l'Est takes travelers past the famous Notre Dame, heading away from the banks of the Seine before arriving at the elegant station. Gare du Nord is located very close by, with Gare de Lyon two and a half miles south.

​​How accessible is train station Paris Gare de l'Est for those with limited mobility?

More recently, Paris has been making a conscious effort to become more accessible. Gare de l'Est itself has a flat terminus, with level access from the taxi rank to the concourse and all platforms, making it easy to maneuver with a wheelchair, or wheeled luggage. Accès Plus Transilien service​s are available at numerous Paris stations to try and cater to all traveler needs. Passengers with limited mobility may find Paris Gare du Nord is more advanced than Gare de l'Est in this field.

Local tips: Paris Gare de l'Est points of interest

Passengers arriving at the train station Paris Gare de l'Est are advised to take a moment to observe the beautiful architecture of the facade. It is worth grabbing a subway map from the station, to organize onward travel to connect with the rest of the city. Those wishing to explore a lot of the city may wish to buy a ​​​​Paris Visite, a travel card that allows unlimited travel on bus, RER, subway and trams across the city. These can be bought for one, two, three or five consecutive days, with options for just zones one to three, or further afield.

Savvy travelers may also notice a large number of motorized scooters available in the city which many use to travel around thanks to smart apps. Once the app is downloaded on a phone, passengers can hop on and hop off paying a fee for the time spent on the scooter. It's a good way to get around Paris quickly. Close to the station itself, passengers will find the beautiful park Jardin Villemin, which contains a community vegetable patch and a children's play area or The Church of Saint-Laurent​ just two minutes away.