NewHere

I have the option to take a 7a and 8a TGV from Paris Montparnasse station and am wondering which time maybe more safe and less chaotic at the Montparnasse station during weekday. The 7a train makes fewer stops to my final destination and the arrival time is slight better, but I'm concern if the station might not have too much people earlier in the morning around 6.30a and thus not too safe.
This is my first time to Montparnasse station traveling alone and I'm a female and kinda petite.
Thanks in advance.

PalenQ

There will be absolutely NO problem at Montparnasse or any other station for a single women at any time of day -put angst to rest.

Southam

The blog Paris by Train has photo tours of some train stations including Gare Montparnasse, which can help you orient yourself, particularly connecting between the train and the Metro. Lots more good info on Paris too.
http://parisbytrain.com/gare-montparnasse-photo-tour/
Keep your head up and look like you know where you are going. Do not stand in the middle of the station puzzling over your map. If you must consult, move to a quiet side area, back to the wall. 24-hour-a-day advice for any age or gender.

greg

Commuters will already be pouring into the station from the suburbs even at 7am. The height of the weekday rush hours is perhaps around 8-8:30am. Montparnasse is a multi-level station. If you cannot find your track number, you are probably on the wrong floor. Unless you are very familiar with this station, leave enough time to find your track.

I don't know how you are getting to the Montparnasse station, but if you need to get there by metro, you are likely to arrive at Montparnasse Bienvenue station which is connected by LONG underground passages.

Christina

That's a common time of day to travel, it won't be deserted. Lots of people travel on business by train, etc.

I don't know when you are going, etc., I would prefer to go when there was some light out and not dark, in the summer either of those times would work for that. In the winter, it will probably be dark when you arrive for a 7 am train. If all you are worried about is the station itself, doesn't matter as it is inside, of course.

HOpe you don't have a lot of luggage if you are petite as there are some stairs and perhaps long walks as noted. Not sure you can always get an escalator instead of stairs but going into the station I think that is easier than coming out.

justineparis

I have taken trains from Monparnasse at that hour.. alone, a woman, and safety is no more an issue then at 3 in afternoon,,, all you have to do ( no matter WHAT time of day) is WATCH YOUR STUFF... no one wants to assault you.. they want to pickpocket you ,, and this happens everywhere all day long.. in fact.. your stuff is likely SAFER earlier as pickpockets prefer crowds and chaos to work in , it will be quieter at that hour .. BUT not dead quiet.. you wont be the only one taking trains.. many other folks will be too..

So.. basically, take the earilier train, I would, it arrives at a better time.

StCirq

The Gare Montparnasse is huge. Get to know it before you get there:

http://www.garemontparnasse.paris/ho...ntparnasse.php

It will be busy early in the morning. Do NOT stop and talk to anyone who approaches you, either outside or inside the station. It's not a dangerous place at all but there are opportunists.

Your train will not be called up on the main board in the middle of the station (main floor, one escalator ride up from the street) until about 20 minutes (maybe less) before it leaves, which means you sometimes have to hustle, particularly if it's a train with many cars and you have to get to one way down the track.

Don't have a lot of heavy luggage. It will be a complete pain in every way imaginable.

Bon voyage!

djkbooks

I've been through Montparnasse station many, many, times, over many years (using it as a cut-through from the apartment to get to the opposite side). The station is almost always very busy (except late at night just before arrival of last trains) but I wouldn't describe it as "chaotic". You do sort of have to dodge through the very wide area of two way traffic.

Of course you should secure your valuables and hang onto your belongings.

But, I have never once noticed any pickpockets in action there and never has anyone ever "approached" me. People stand around all the time looking up at the digital display with their bags strewn around them without their hands on the handles.

It's true that it's a very long walk from the metro station to the train station. Sometimes the people mover is actually working here and there.

The only steps I recall were six half steps up from one of the metro exits. Otherwise, there are escalators up and down between levels, and from the side entrances (up only) should you arrive by bus (or taxi drivers often let passengers off at a side entrance.

Note that you may need coins for the rest rooms or maybe there's an attendant and a small charge.

If it's a long journey, recommend allowing time to collect a beverage and/or snack (places for those within the station are plentiful) as the selection on the train is very limited, the coffee is terrible, and there's usually a very slow moving queue.

Personally, just to be on the safe side, if your train will be making stops, I would store any luggage within the train car (every train I've taken has had an area within the train car), rather than on the racks just inside of the entrance and ahead of the sliding doors of the car. Obviously, you would want to keep anything valuable (electronics of any sort, etc.) with you.

kerouac

You'll probably be up before the pickpockets, too.

justineparis

Very few people actually " see pickpockets " that's why they are often successful!

Sarastro

A few weeks ago I was riding M4 with my teenage daughter and one of her friends. Just after the Odéon station, heading for Montparnasse, I saw someone reach into the friend´s pocket and take her mobile phone. I confronted the thief and demanded that he give me the phone which luckily he did. The girls were completely unaware of what was happening.

Loudly, and unfortunately in English which probably destroyed some of my street credibility, my daughter questioned me and why I had confronted this guy. Both she and her friend were astonished when I handed them the phone, probably because I was not standing sufficiently close to the friend to have taken the phone myself.

Understandably, the commotion received the attention of those around us. A lady next to me asked if the thief, who stood sheepishly and very quietly nearby, had tried to steal a phone. I replied that he not only tried, that he did steal a phone. This all transpired rather quickly. We reached the next station, the thief fled, and we all tried to gather our thoughts and understand what just happened.

I was not interested in making a citizens arrest or escalating the situation. I just wanted the phone back and my daughter and her friend left alone and unharmed. On a busy métro car, that was the best I could hope for.

This story ended well, but everyday in Paris, there are similar situations which do not end well, a lot of them. I feel perfectly safe in Paris but I am always on the lookout for theft. Pickpockets are there whether you see them or not. In any crowded environment, guard your valuables. Do not leave purses unzipped, keep packages close to you, and be ever mindful of what is happening around you.

NewHere

Thank you all for your advices. Sounds like it is the pickpocket that I should be worry about. I feel much more comfortable taking the earlier train now.=) I'll check out the map of the station to get myself familiar with the station. Thanks again.

kerouac

There are a lot of early morning trains, so your biggest risk is being run down by the "stampede" of people in a hurry if you are not quick on your feet.

StCirq

I have been "approached" almost every time I've been at the Montparnasse station, most often outside near the escalator that takes you up to the main floor, but also at the ticket machines, where people offer to "help" you buy tickets. It's not at all uncommon.But it's also not an issue to brush them off or ignore them. Just look like you mean business and concentrate on getting to your train.

djkbooks

<<Very few people actually "see pickpockets", that's why they are often successful!>>

I disagree. They are, especially if you've ever been "picked", which we were on the metro our first visit, you quickly figure out how to recognize them.

Typically, there is a group of three...one to jostle or distract you in some way, another to do the grabbing, a third to whom the find is passed who runs away quickly.

They seem ordinary and otherwise innocuous, but they are masterful and well practiced.

Regardless, they go after that which is easily accessible and most usually have observed you, unbeknownst to you, removing and replacing such items as your wallet or your phone. For sure, if whatever you have on you is reasonably secure, they'll choose another "target" as so many others are just so much more careless.

Whenever in any metro or train station, it's best to secure your valuables well ahead of entering the station, and also to avoid "patting" yourself to check, as that is the best alert to thieves as to whatever you are "protecting".

On the other hand, I've had my phone in and out of wherever I'm keeping it, usually a pouch attached to a belt loop (which, actually could be easily ripped off) or inside pocket of a jacket or cross body bag, and I haven't had a problem since.

But, we nearly never ride the Metro, as we much prefer the buses.

<< be ever mindful of what is happening around you>>

Well, that's nearly impossible when you're not used to doing that and you're in a totally unfamiliar place worrying about finding your train. So, just secure your valuables.

I (along with "chaotic" would not describe the walk to the track as a "stampede". Yes, lots of people are heading there, but they are quite considerate, mostly.

It's busy, it's crowded, but really not all that much of a challenge

rouelan

I agree it Is not a problem to take a train at 7.
As mentionned, Montparnasse stop is far from station for lines 4 and 12. Its better if You Can ride 6 or 13. If coming via line 13, I usually prefer to get off at Gaîté. It Is then a short walk to the South entrance, less crowded and straight to main level.
If You are struggling with your bag on the stairs, it Is usual That the 1st Guy going the same direction Will offer help.

Michael

<i>Typically, there is a group of three...one to jostle or distract you in some way, another to do the grabbing, a third to whom the find is passed who runs away quickly.</i>

We experienced one well-dressed woman in the Paris métro. She used her scarf to hide her activity. Fortunately my wife lost only her glass case.

justineparis

Well djk.. you only see the failed pickpockets.. thousands of people are pickpocketed successfully in Paris every year..and MOST do NOT see their attackers.

I personally have had two attempts.. one in 1985 and one a few years ago. I didn't see them.. I FELT them, but frankly that's a combo of my luck.. and my street savvy at this point. Doesn't mean I wont get nicked ever.. but so far fingers crossed..

You describe one common method.. but only one of many ways pickpockets accomplish their trick.



I love taking the metro and wouldn't avoid it unless I had mobility issues,or was elderly , I find the bus much slower and its often so crowded you cant even see out the window unless you luck out and get a window seat ( or any seat at all... ) Pickpockets love those crowded buses too... thinking you are safe on them is not doing yourself any favor .

Anywhere.. anytime.. only thing that prevents it is being careful, vigilante and very aware of space around you. ( plus obviously keeping valuables well put away)

WoinParis

I was last week with Korean people and had to tell them to pay attention - people who take the metro develop tactics that come without thinking - like : don't keep your backpack on your back but in your arms, have your wallet deep in a pocket and not in a back trouser pocket. Have bags that are zipped etc.
They were surprised but understood very quickly.

I read some interesting tactivs on TA, from a regular (...) : yell at the top of her lungs obscenities, and a guy from Indonesia wanted to attach pickpocketers at a pole with a sign saying 'pickpocketer'. Maybe we would be allowed to urinate on them like in medieval times...

For normal people jsut pay attention, and yes, don't play police yourself, smart move Sarastro !

I have mostly stopped taking the metro and am using bikes instead.

PalenQ

A Korean friend of mine was victimized in a McDonalds in Paris -he was reading his I Phone and two young Romani girls came in and distracted him with some sheet of paper written in English - meanwhile one had taken his phone. I understand Asians may especially be at risk for street crime by these tactics.

I have seen pickpockets pick peoples' pockets in the metro - at turnstiles with back ups= I think the metro or any crowded area is more problematic than main train stations patrolled these days by what seem to be militias.