I am familiar with using the métro in Paris. But I have never used the RER. We will be staying in & visiting sites within the RATP zone 1. Since we will be there for only 4 days we plan to purchase Navajo Easy cards and load a carnet of 10 trips or perhaps single tickets if we run out on our last day. The Mobilis is also a consideration if we need several trips on any one day. Our hotel is centrally located and we plan to walk a lot.
A statement from the Paris Toolkit transport web page: "Within central Paris you can think of the RER as just another Metro line"
Example: It appears that RER line C is more convenient/direct for us if going from St. Michele station to Champ de Mars/Eiffel rather than using 2 metro lines and having to make a connection.
My questions: #1 Is the above scenario/example correct? #2 Do the RER trains run less frequently? I've found the site that provides the schedules to be a bit complex. #3 On the outskirts of the city, the RER lines appear to branch out, going in various directions and suburbs. How do you pick the correct "end of the line" to board the RER train? Or would a C line headed to "Versailles" or "Pontoise" be fine if just going as far as Eiffel?
Any tips you can provide would be helpful as I may have overlooked other important considerations.
Posted by
Chicago
8060 posts
usually the metro runs every 2 to 5 minutes -- sometimes off hours, you might wait 8 or 10 minutes for a train, but that is pretty unusual
The RER runs more like every 15 or 20 minutes; it is faster because it makes few stops. It is very important to not go outside Paris on it as you are then subject to a 35 Euro fine on the spot for not having a valid ticket. If you are near an RER station and your destination is in Paris near another then it is more efficient. There is no point worrying about a schedule -- just show up and see when the next train is. And note the electronic sign over the tracks which will show the stops the next train makes -- and make sure your stop is on it.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10195 posts
The RER within Paris is more frequent than that. As it leaves Paris, it branches out, meaning the stations on the branches are served less frequently. But within Paris, the trunk lines are every 5-8 minutes during the day.
However, many of the RER platforms are much further underground, meaning it takes longer to reach the platforms and afterwards resurface to ground level. Auber is an example. The exception is the B from Cité Universitaire to Luxembourg because this was part of a former train line.
Posted by
OP
Illinois
162 posts
Thank you. With this information I now understand that using the RER in some instances rather than metro is the better choice. Or sometimes a combination of the two.
Posted by
Paris
6901 posts
Taking the RER C from St Michel to Champ de Mars is indeed the fastest way to the Eiffel tower from St Michel. You do have to watch out, some RER C trains terminate at Invalides. Don't take those.
Posted by
OP
Illinois
162 posts
Thanks balso! More reassurance about using RER versus metro depending on the situation. I appreciate Janettravels44 tip "note the electronic sign over the tracks which will show the stops the next train makes -- and make sure your stop is on it".
Posted by
Green Bay
20103 posts
One slight difference is that you need to scan your ticket to exit an RER station. Metro tickets only require you to scan your ticket to enter, but since all Metro lines are in the central zone, you just walk out.
Posted by
OP
Illinois
162 posts
Thank you Sam - good to know.
Posted by
New York, NY
4000 posts
I use the RER quite a bit when in Paris including roundtrip between CDG and Luxembourg Gardens where my boutique hotel was nearby in the 5th arr. I’m one of those who never takes a taxi from CDG into Paris; the RER is great.