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 (2.10€ as of Jan. 1, 2023)
- frequent but 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 zone 1)
- 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
RER Tickets (Billet Ile-de-France)
(RER sign photo by Gregory Deryckère)
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Metro vs. RER was last modified: October 28th, 2019 by