The RER (Réseau Express Régional) is a network of commuter trains , that is to say: they communicate the center of Paris with the outskirts; and it’s a fast way to travel around the French capital.
You can use it in combination with the Paris Metro, since they coincide in many stations, or even to replace it, since sometimes you can move faster and with fewer stops using the RER.
Map of the train zones in Paris
RER lines
There are five lines , which in the center of Paris function as one more metro line , in fact, metro tickets are also used for this means of transport.
The trains can be normal or express , the latter do not stop at all stations, so it is advisable to take them for long-distance travel; You have to pay attention to the information screens.
- Line A – Red
- Line B – Blue
- Line C – Yellow
- Line D – Green
- Line E – Pink
Places where you can get from Paris using the train
In addition to moving around the center of Paris, you can go to other places of tourist interest located in the outskirts of the city:
Disney Land Paris
Using the RER line A you can reach the park in 40 minutes. The destination station is Marne la Vallée Chessy.
Charles de Gaulle Airport
Line B takes you from Charles de Gaulle Airport to the center of Paris in 35 minutes. It goes through the stations of Gare Du Nord, St. Michel, Châletet Les Halles and Defert – Rocherau.
Orly airport
Line C connects the Pont de Rungis station (near the airport) with the center of Paris. You can also take the Orlyval automatic train from Orly airport to Antony station ( line B ).
Versailles
Using the RER trains, line C , from Paris to the Versailles – Rive Gauche station.
RER schedules
The train schedules depend on the lines we take, but they usually run between 5 in the morning and midnight .
Prices and Tickets
You can use simple tickets called Pass Ticket t+ (allows unlimited transfers with the metro for 90 minutes). The unlimited transport card for tourists called Paris Visite or the local option Navigo Pass.
Prices will vary depending on your route. Within zone 1, which would be the center of Paris, a single trip on the trains costs the same as on the metro, €1.90.
Other train services and more destinations from Paris
There are other train services that connect Paris with other European cities in a few hours. You can take the Eurostar to get from Paris to London, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels, Disneyland Paris, Avignon, Lille, Lyon, and Marseille.
Using the TGV trains you can reach nearby places like Mont Saint Michel and cities like Milan, Rome and many more destinations in Italy from Paris. Also to other destinations in Switzerland, Germany and Spain.
Thalys trains you can reach Brussels or Bruges in an hour and a half.
