August 4th, 2010 
Admin Hi.
I am looking into taking a train from Holland to Venice, and it has a transfer in Paris. This train would arrive at the Paris Norde station at 6:35pm. The connection to Venice leaves Paris Bercy at 8:33pm.
Basically, is it safe to say I could make the connection with time to spare for a snack? I have read on the Rick Steves forum that it should only take 20-25 minutes by public transit. The ticket is expensive and I really don’t want to mess it up.
Things to consider:
-Will I have to go through some kind of customs when I get off in Paris? Or can I just waltz off the train because I am coming from the Netherlands? I am an American.
-I will have a hiking backpack and a rolling suitcase. I am living in Italy all summer, so shut up about packing light. These will probably slow me down some.
-I have never been to Europe before.
-I don’t speak French.
-I have read that Norde is ridiculously hard to navigate and Bercy is unpopular. Consider getting lost/ not being able to ask for help.
-I will be hungry for dinner and would like to stop for something to eat, if possible. If not I can pack food.
-I will want to be at least 30min early to Bercy, so that gives a little less than 1.5 hours
Knowing me I will probably sprint across town and bring my own sandwiches. HOWEVER, I would like your input. Has anyone had to do this before? Is there a suggested route?
From a Rick Steves forum:
"take Line 4 (direction Porte d’Orleans) to Chatelet, then transfer to line 14 (direction Bibliotheque Francois Mitterand). Bercy station is one stop past Gare de Lyon. Trip time, 20-25 minutes."
From seat61.com:
Walk off the end of the Eurostar platform, turn left and follow the signs for RER line D.
Take RER line D two stops from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon (follow signs ‘RER D direction Melun / Malesherbes’). Trains may be shown as going to Melun, Malesherbes or Corbeil-Essonnes.
Take metro line 14 one stop from Gare de Lyon to Bercy (follow signs ‘M14 direction Olympiades’). Or you can walk from Gare de Lyon to |Bercy, it’s about 600 metres.
The mainline Gare de Bercy is a stone’s throw from Bercy metro station. Go up the steps to street level, then around the corner with the ‘Cafe Chambertin’, and you can see it ahead of you past the Hotel Claret
Are these correct?
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If you have never been to Paris before and are not familiar with the métro, you may want to consider taking a taxi to Bercy. It should cost no more than 15€, probably less but this is the stress free option. I would just had the driver a piece of paper with the words – Gare de Bercy.