How to Transfer from Paris Gare De l' Est to Paris Gare Du Nord

There are four options from making the transfer from the Gare De L’Est to the Gare Du Nord in Paris.

In future this will be easier, as a dedicated pedestrian route between the two stations is being constructed, but for the time being it’s not as straightforward as it seems when looking at a map.

Stage 1 - Signs from the main concourse at the Gare de l'Est point the way to the pedestrian route to the Gare Du Nord - which is less than an 8 min walk away.

When leaving an arriving train, this exit is at the far right of the main concourse, look for the sign hanging from the roof which points the way to Rue D'Alsace and RER lines B and D.

Stage 2 - However, taking this walking route is not recommended if you have luggage etc, as it involves ascending a steep staircase (which I decided was an accident waiting to happen).
When you exit the station these stairs are over to the right.

Stage 3 - Once you have ascended the stairs, go ahead of you and then take the street on the second left, and the Gare Du Nord will be looming ahead of you.

Though you should think twice about taking this walk after dark, this is not the smartest part of town.

This route is less obvious and a couple of mins longer, but it has two ticks in its box
(1) It avoids the staircase.
(2) It goes through a busier area, which makes it feel a tad safer.

Stage One - Exit from the front of the Gare de l'Est - go straight ahead, across the concourse, as you walk away from the train.

Stage Two - Cross the forecourt in front of the station, until you're on the street in front of the station, the 'Rue du 8 Mai 1945' - when you reach it, turn right.

Stage Three - A block away you'll come to an intersection, with a tree lined street, the 'Boulevard Du Magenta, when you reach it turn right.

Stage Four - Once you're on the Boulevard Du Magenta, take the first right into 'Rue de Saint Quentin, you'll know that you're on the right street, because it will have a bus lane on the right-hand side of the roadway.
At the end of this street, a 5 - 10 min walk away, you'll see the Gare Du Nord ahead of you.

It may seem an indulgence to use the Metro, as it’s only a one stop journey on Metro Line 5 (direction Bobigny Pablo Picasso).
However, the access to/from the Line 5* at both the Gare De L’est and Gare Du Nord is easier than at most other Metro stations - and it won’t take any longer than walking.

If you don’t normally mind taking busy Metro trains and are considering walking to save on the cost of a Metro ticket, then our advice is to take the Metro.

(* = Don’t take line 4, the exit at Gare Du Nord from line 4 isn’t step free, but the line 5 exit has escalators).

If you’re travelling in a group that’s managing a lot of luggage – then taking a taxi isn’t such an extravagance.
If there’s three or more of you, then the taxi fare won’t be much more expensive than buying three metro tickets - and the taxi is by far the least stressful option for getting heavy bags from the Gare de l’Est to the Gare Du Nord.

When you enter Gare Du Nord from the street, or reach its main concourse from the metro, you will have to go up a level to access Eurostar departures – the ‘Hall du Londres’.
The signage isn’t the best, but the escalators and lifts (ascenseur) leading up to Eurostar departures are located on the opposite side of the concourse to voies/platforms/tracks 14 - 15.
Look out for the Union Jack on the rear wall of the station concourse.