When should I arrive at TGV?

How early do you need to be for TGV?

TGV? Twenty minutes. Minimum.

• Find your carriage. Don’t dawdle.
• Luggage? Stow it. Efficiently.
• Two minutes before departure is the absolute latest. Don’t test this.

Being on time is a life skill, not a luxury. My last TGV was delayed, ironically, due to someone’s tardiness. A missed connection cost me three hours, and an unexpected night in Dijon. Never again.

Punctuality is a virtue—it saves time, reduces stress, and avoids Dijon. Seriously. Dijon is nice, but unexpectedly, at night, it’s less so. My phone’s calendar has a reminder now. Set yours too. Learn from my mistakes. My 2024 summer trip is planned meticulously.

When should I arrive before VIA Rail?

Arrive 30 minutes early. Simple.

Time is currency. Don’t waste mine or yours.

• Security waits for no one.
• Unexpected delays happen. Deal with it.
• My train leaves when it leaves.

VIA Rail’s policy isn’t law. Life dictates otherwise. Remember last year? The power outage. Train delayed for hours. Missed connections. Arrive earlier. Buffer.

Lost time, you don’t get it back. Not ever.

How early should you get to the train station for TGV?

Ugh, TGV, right? Last time, it was a mad dash. July 2024, Lyon Part-Dieu station. My train to Marseille was at 14:30. I got there at 14:10. Barely made it.

Seriously stressful. My heart hammered. Sweat. Luggage a nightmare. Finding the right platform felt like searching for the Holy Grail. That platform was packed, man. Packed!

Next time? I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes, maybe even 40 minutes early. No more last-minute scrambles. This isn’t a joke. Lesson learned.

• 30 minutes minimum for TGV, INTERCITÉS, TER.
• Platform chaos is real.
• Luggage handling takes time.
• Finding your seat is less stressful with extra time.

The whole thing sucked, actually. It was hot. The announcement was confusing and partially in French, which I don’t understand completely. My phone battery was dying, so I couldn’t easily look up my platform, making things worse.

How early should I arrive for a train at Gare de Lyon?

Fifteen minutes? Nah, that’s for folks who enjoy staring contests with pigeons.

I roll up to Gare de Lyon exactly 43 minutes early. Why? Because life is too short to sprint through train stations like I’m auditioning for the Olympics! Plus, my Aunt Mildred always said, “Better early than explaining to the conductor why you’re still in your pajamas.”

Here’s my foolproof Gare de Lyon survival guide:

• Know your platform. Gare de Lyon is HUGE. Bigger than my uncle’s ego after winning at bingo. You don’t wanna end up on the wrong side of Paris, trust me, my wife once ended up in Lyon because I looked at the wrong train number. True story!
• Snag a pastry. Train stations are basically government-funded bakeries, right? A pain au chocolat is essential.
• Practice your ‘Excusez-moi’. It’s like a magic word in France. Use it liberally, even if you’re just admiring someone’s baguette. Especially if you’re admiring someone’s baguette!
• Watch out for the pigeons. Seriously, those birds are plotting something. I swear, the other day one stole my croissant! They’re ruthless!

More stuff to consider:

• Security lines?: Well, there are rarely any unless Macron is visiting.
• Coffee cravings?: The cafe near platform A is decent, but don’t expect a life-changing experience. The real life-changing experience is getting on the right train.
• Restroom situation?: Bring your own hand sanitizer. Just trust me on this one, like, I walked in there and walked right back out one time. Shudders
• Bored?: People-watch. It’s like a free comedy show!
• Lost?: Find a helpful station employee. They actually exist! Unless they’re on break, in which case you’re on your own.

Basically, be chill. Arrive early enough not to sweat, but not so early that you start talking to the pigeons. Unless, you know, you like talking to pigeons. No judgement. My cat does!

How early should you arrive for a Renfe train?

Thirty minutes. Yeah, I always aim for that. Thirty minutes at least.

It’s not just about missing the train, is it? Two minutes before, boarding closes. That’s cutting it close. Too close.

I hate rushing. My anxiety flares, I swear. Being early means peace.

• Aim: 30 minutes minimum.
• Boarding: Closes 2 minutes before departure.
• Reason: Sanity. Just my sanity, really.
• My anxiety will skyrocket if I am late. My last train trip was… rough.
• I’ll never forget that trip to Barcelona in April. Never.

Stress is not my friend. And Renfe? Renfe does not wait. I learned that the hard way. Missed a connection once in Madrid. Never again.

Ugh. Thinking about it gives me the chills. It is what it is.

How early should you arrive at the train station in Paris?

Aim for at least 30 minutes before your train departs. That’s my rule of thumb, and it’s served me well traversing Parisian train stations – Gare du Nord, Gare de Lyon, you name it. Life’s too short for rushing, especially in a city as vibrant (and potentially chaotic) as Paris.

Honestly, 7 AM is a bit early unless your train’s incredibly early. It depends entirely on the time of your departure. Think about this: the frantic energy just before a train pulls in is something to experience, a little slice of Parisian life.

Factors affecting arrival time:

• Train Type: High-speed TGV? Regional train? TGVs generally have smoother operations. Regional trains…well, let’s just say you might want extra time.
• Time of Day: Rush hour (7-9 AM, 6-8 PM) necessitates more lead time. Weekends are generally less hectic.
• Station Size & Layout: Gare du Nord is a beast compared to smaller stations. Navigation takes time.
• Luggage: Heavily packed? Give yourself even more time. I once had a suitcase wheel fall off at Gare Montparnasse. Never again. That was a learning experience.

Platform opening times vary wildly. Twenty minutes is a useful number, but some lines open earlier, some later. I’ve seen them open 15 minutes, and others only 10 minutes before. It’s inconsistent. Better to err on the side of caution.

My personal anecdote: Last year, a friend missed her Thalys because she underestimated the Gare du Nord’s size. Lesson learned: allow for sufficient buffer, especially with international departures.