How early do you need to arrive for the TGV train?

How early do you need to arrive via rail?

Ugh, train travel. Gotta get there early, right? Half an hour for those short Corridor trips, like Toronto to Montreal. That’s doable. But an hour? Seriously? For longer ones, like my trip to Vancouver this summer. That’s a commitment. Will I even find the right platform? Last time I was lost for ages.

My phone’s battery always dies at the worst moments. Stupid thing.

An hour early… that’s a long time to sit around, staring at other people’s luggage. So boring. Coffee? But the prices at those train stations… robbery!

Okay, so:

• Corridor: 30 mins early. No excuses.
• Long haul: 60 mins early. That’s the rule. Period.

Seriously, though – Vancouver. I need to pack snacks. Train food is always awful. I should probably pre-order something… maybe. Or just bring a giant bag of chips. Yep. Definitely chips. And my charger. That’s priority number one. Don’t want to miss my connection in Calgary because my phone died.

Maybe I’ll even bring a book. Ha! Who am I kidding? I’ll probably just scroll through Twitter. Again.

How early should you get to Gare de Lyon?

Gare de Lyon? Thirty minutes early, minimum. That’s what I always do. Safety first, you know? Even if I feel okay, I’d rather be safe and sound. It’s a habit now, ingrained.

You’ll need the extra time. Especially with the crowds. Parisian rush hour is… intense. I swear, people just pour in.

Platform announcements, yeah, twenty minutes. But things happen. Delays. My own forgetfulness… I once nearly missed a train to Nice because I was engrossed in a book. A bad book. Never again.

Key things to remember:

• 30 minutes before train departure. Absolutely essential.
• Platform announcements: 20 minutes. Use this as a guideline, not a hard and fast rule.
• Buffer for unexpected issues. This is crucial in such a large station. Delays are common. My life is full of delays.
• Personal experience: I almost missed a vital train once. Never again.

I hate feeling rushed. The feeling of frantic scrambling. It’s awful. The anxiety gnaws. Even now, thinking about it… It’s a chill that runs down your spine.

How early should I arrive at Gare de Lyon train station?

Gare de Lyon sees more action than my dating life. Arrive 15 minutes early, tops.

• You might spot a mime. (Worth it?)
• Trains leave like, every five seconds.
• Worst case? A croissant awaits.

Seriously though, 15 mins? You’re golden. Unless…are you packing a grand piano? Then, maybe an hour. Just saying.

How early should I get to Gare de Lyon for a train?

Ugh, Gare de Lyon. So many people. Fifteen minutes? No way. Thirty, minimum. Security lines are a nightmare. Especially during rush hour. My friend, Sarah, missed her train last month because of them! Total chaos.

Then there’s the sheer size of the place. Finding your platform… a total adventure. Seriously, it’s a maze. Wayfinding is abysmal. I need a map. Even with a map, I still manage to get lost. It’s a fact.

Plus, you need time to buy a coffee. Or maybe a croissant. I mean, who can resist a Parisian croissant? Okay, maybe I’m just hungry.

So, thirty minutes. No less.

• Security: Expect delays, especially during peak times.
• Platform Location: Finding your platform takes time. Use the app. Seriously.
• Food and Drink: Allow time for a caffeine fix and a pastry. Prioritize this.
• Unexpected Delays: Trains are occasionally delayed. This is France.

My train to Nice last year was delayed 20 minutes. Twenty! I almost missed my connection in Marseille. Never again. I’m going to arrive an hour early next time. Yes, an hour. I’m not kidding. Never again.

How early should I get to Paris Gare du Nord?

Okay, so Gare du Nord, right? For Eurostar Standard, be there like, ninety minutes early, maybe even a bit more, just to be safe. You know, security lines and stuff, they can be a nightmare sometimes! Plus, you wanna grab a coffee, use the loo, you know…the usual pre-travel stuff.

Eurostar Plus? Forty-five to sixty minutes should be plenty. Premier class? Even less; fifteen to thirty minutes before the gate closes is sufficient. It’s way smoother sailing with those tickets.

Important stuff:

• Gate closes 30 minutes before departure for Standard. Don’t even think about it; be there earlier! I missed my train once, it was awful.
• Plus and Premier have shorter closing times. Much better, obv. Premier is seriously quick.
• Buffer time is crucial. I always add extra, especially with luggage. This year, traffic was a mess near the station. Ugh.

My friend went last week, took the Premier. Said it was a breeze. She actually arrived only 20 minutes before departure and still had time to shop for a stupid keyring shaped like the Eiffel Tower. Stupid, but cute. Anyways, that’s her experience. Yours might be different. Better safe than sorry, is my motto.

How early should I get to the train station in London?

Ninety minutes? Pfft, amateur hour. Unless you’re sprinting a marathon in stilettos, you’re overdoing it. Sixty minutes, tops. Unless it’s peak hour, then throw in another fifteen for the sheer joy of navigating a sardine can disguised as a commuter train. My uncle, bless his cotton socks, once missed a Eurostar because he assumed British punctuality extended to himself. Don’t be like my uncle.

Key takeaway: Aim for an hour. Unless you’re, say, a seasoned Olympic-level procrastinator – then maybe two.

• Security: Usually a breeze, unless a rogue sausage roll triggers a full-scale investigation.
• Passport checks: Only if international, and frankly, more exciting than the journey itself.
• Finding the platform: Imagine a labyrinth designed by a mischievous gnome. Allow for getting delightfully lost.

London’s trains are like a temperamental cat: charming, but prone to fits of unpredictable lateness. It’s a city where the unexpected reigns supreme. So plan accordingly. And pack a good book; you might find yourself unexpectedly entertained. Seriously, bring a good book.

How early should I get to Euston train station?

Euston. Arrive 30 minutes. Enough.

Distances deceive. Trains wait, sometimes.

• Concourse complexity: Euston’s layout is a maze. Seriously.
• Security: Unexpected surges happen. Always.
• Platform Changes: Announced last minute. Naturally. Check boards.
• Ticket Issues: Queues are eternal. Digital’s better, mostly.
• My experience: Missed my 07:30 Edinburgh train last month. Nightmare. Never again. Now, 45 mins minimum. I never skip.
• Peak Travel: Double that during rush hour. Or holidays. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
• Accessibility Needs: Allow even more time. Extra help is necessary.
• Unexpected Events: Strikes, delays, construction. Always something.