The Paris Metro vs. the Paris RER… what’s the difference?
The Metro is
- the Métropolitan chemin de fer (Metropolitan railway)
- a subway/tube/underground train system
- 16 lines, 1 through 14 plus two short secondary lines (3bis and 7bis)
- just central Paris (see Metro map)
- short distances between stations
- one single fare zone
- unscheduled service
- mostly underground (subway/tube like)
- no bicycles allowed on Metro, except on Metro Line 1 on Sundays and holidays
The RER is
- the Réseau Express Régionale (Regional Express Network)
- a commuter train system
- 5 lines, RER A through E
- central Paris plus much of Ile-de-France (see RER line map)
- used interchangeably with the Metro in central Paris
- faster than the Metro, with fewer stops & greater distances between stations
- separated into fare zones 1 -5
- tickets (billet origine-destination) are priced from station to station (when outside central Paris zones 1-2)
- scheduled service (see RER schedules)
- mostly above ground, except within central Paris
- bicycles are allowed on the RER except during rush hour (not allowed between 6:30-9 AM and from 16:30 - 19:00)
Resources
More information on the Paris Metro (Google Knol)
RER Tickets (Billet Ile-de-France)
(RER sign photo by Gregory Deryckère)
