Transilien vs. TER

Good question. I was looking the other day for the train from Mantes-La-Jolie to Versailles Chantier, a direct "N" train. SNCF directed me to Transilien because it was a local network fare. But Transilien would not show a fare, although it did show fares for bus connections. RATP also directed me to Transilien.

PS RATP gives me a fare of 8.40 EUR for your trip.

Thank you. I have worked out the schedule difference (1 hr vs 40 minutes). It's the fare difference I'm having trouble finding.

Thank you Sam for the EUR8.40 figure. I assume that's Transilien.

Can't find TER fare anywhere; even on TER website.

Transilien trains are priced by the RATP and use the same tickets/passes as do the RERs.

TER trains are operated by the SNCF. Prices and schedules are found at www.oui.sncf.

If it works like Germany (not saying it does) local fare networks take precedence over the national rail prices. For instance, Deutsche Bahn can not sell you a train ticket on a regional train within a local fare network, like Bingen Stadtbahnhof to Frankfurt Hbf. That ticket can only be purchased from the RMV (Rhine-Main Transit Authority). You might travel on a Regionalbahn that originated outside the network, but inside the network, the locals get the ticket money, and it is the same whether it is a S-Bahn or a Regional Bahn, or a Regional Express.

So since a TER is a regional train, I'll posit that inside the Ile de France Network, fare is the same whether it is a TER or the "J" train. The network map shows rail lines outside as "tarification hors Ile-de-France". Until a "boots-on-the-ground" Parisien chimes in, I'd go with that.

PS I guess Tocard just did, but the www.oui.sncf site will not give a price either. Panguitch, Utah must be the 21st arrondissement.

J trains are part of the RER network, not the TER. I have already posted that J train information is available from the RATP websites, not www.oui.sncf. TER trains and RER/Transiline trains operate differently and use different websites.

As with all RER trains, there are no reservations for the J train. Just walk up and purchase a ticket. The RATP no longer offers complete fare information on line for billets d´origine - destination or ordinary single ride tickets. The bulk of their passengers are commuters using some type of Navigo card loaded with at pass appropriate to their needs. They do however offer suggested single journey fares on this website:

http://www.navigo.fr/titres/billet-origine-destination-presentation/

I have never seen an RATP fare more expensive than 13€. Maybe one exists but the TER from Evreux (to the west of Mantes-la-Jolie) to Gare St Lazare, is only 10€. I do not believe that the RATP would be a great deal more.

The RATP has also issued warnings about strike actions along the J line which is why some schedule information is currently missing.

Research so far indicates that Sam is on the right track. It appears RATP fares apply within at least the 5 zones around Paris, whether the train is a Transilien or a TER. As Mantes-la-Jolie is in zone 5, that would be EUR 8.40.

That seems to be the correct answer. If you think Sam and I have it wrong, please warn us here. Thank you.

darrenblois - from where are you getting your information that the 5 RATP zones apply to TER fares? They do not. Here is a map of the RATP network:

http://www.navigo.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/REGION_GF_MEP_RATP_V2018-01.pdf

Note that the service area includes the RER lines as well as the Transilien lines H, J, K, L, N, P, R, and U. You will see no mention of TER trains on this network. Navigo fares are NOT valid on TER trains, but they are on RER and Transilien trains (as well as the RATP buses, métro, tramways, and funicular). The map shows exceptions where trains travel outside the Ile de France and where special pricing is applicable (beyond the validity of Navigo fares).

Further, the fare on the RER B from Paris to CDG is 10.30€. What is your source to indicate that a single ticket fare from Mantes-la-Joilie to St Lazare is only 8.40€? All RATP single tickets for RER or Transilien trains are priced point-to-point. Zones only apply to those purchasing passes.

Source for the 8.40 EUR fare is the RATP Ile-de-France point-to-ticket app at their website.
https://www.ratp.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs/ile-de-france-idf-point-point-tickets

Sources:

• RATP says the IDF point-to-point fare includes all RER and trains in Ile de France region;
• RATP zone maps include Mantes-la-Jolie in zone 5;
• TER's website will not sell you a ticket from Mantes-la-Jolie to Paris except by going out to Rouen first, implying that fares INTO Paris are covered by RATP tickets;
• also by inference, I know this is how it works in London (national rail fares within London are covered by TFL fares) and according to Sam its how it works in Germany too.

Until TER will sell me a ticket from Mantes-la-Jolie to Paris, I'm going to assume a RATP IDF point-to-point ticket will work, and argue with the fare collector later.

Also this from the Man in Seat 61: "Local and regional (TER) trains just have one fixed price fare, usually termed Tariff normal. These tickets are valid for one journey on any train." https://www.seat61.com/France-trains.htm

RATP/SNCF point-to-point "paper strip" tickets (same format as metro tickets, bought on metro ticket machines) will work. No worries. Done this many times, and as you correctly saw... there are no other tickets available for these journeys.

If you have a Navigo pass for the duration of your stay, it is valid as well, but a hair more complicated (you'd need a photo to have the pass made for you at Mantes La Jolie station).