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RER (Regional Trains), Paris

my father is really proud: knows where we live :)) - Paris
my father is really proud: knows where we live :))
by goy
RER (Regional Trains) tips and advice posted by real travelers and Paris locals.

travel through Paris and outside to the suburbs
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• 74 Reviews

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RER (Regional Trains): Billet Ile-de-France.
  • Tip Rating:
  • breughel
  • By breughel on July 26, 2008
  • Paris Page by breughel

  • "Billet Ile-de-France" to
    Versailles.
    by breughel
    This is now the ticket most visitors of Versailles use as they have to travel outside Paris with the RER line C Versailles Rive Gauche. The ticket seems rather new because on the RATP web site I found only explanations in French and not yet in English or other languages.

    "Il est destiné à des déplacements occasionnels sur le réseau ferré d'Ile-de-France : RER (RATP/SNCF) et trains de banlieue SNCF. Le billet IDF peut être acheté dans la gare ou la station de métro de départ ou d'arrivée. Il est utilisable au choix dans le sens aller ou dans le sens retour. Le coût de ce billet est variable selon son origine (gare de départ) et sa destination (gare d'arrivée). Son prix n'est pas lié aux zones, celles-ci étant réservées aux forfaits et abonnements de transport.
    Les billets à destination ou au départ de Paris permettent d'utiliser aussi bien le train que le RER sur le trajet indiqué, plus le métro (la station de métro empruntée doit être en correspondance avec la gare d'arrivée ou de départ du parcours du RER ou du train).

    Achat
    Le billet Ile-de-France tarif plein ou tarif réduit*, peut s'acheter au détail ou en carnet. Le carnet se compose de 10 billets, avec une économie de 20% par rapport au prix du billet à l'unité.
    - Le billet IDF peut être acheté à l'avance; non validé, il n'a pas de date limite d'utilisation.
    - Les billets Ile-de-France vendus à l'unité ou au carnet ne sont ni remboursables ni échangeables. "

    The "billet Ile-de-France" is a ticket for occasional trips between Paris and the banlieue (like Versailles) combining Metro and RER or train. Price is calculated (by the selling desk or the machine) depending on place of departure and destination. One can use the ticket in one sense or in the other, of course for a return trip you need to buy two tickets.
    For Versailles the single fare is 2,90 € from the centre of Paris what includes the Metro to the RER C terminal station presently at the Invalides and the 30 minutes trip to Versailles Rive Gauche.
    The ticket has no date for use.

  • Theme: Train
  • Website: http://www.ratp.fr/
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    RER (Regional Trains): By RER C to Versailles Château.
  • Tip Rating:
  • breughel
  • Updated By breughel on September 7, 2008
  • Paris Page by breughel
  • Versailles Rive Gauche RER platform. - Paris
    Versailles Rive Gauche RER
    platform.
    by breughel
    To travel by the RER C5 to Versailles Rive Gauche (Château de Versailles) you need a "BILLET ILE-DE-FRANCE" which combines Metro inside Paris and the RER trip from Paris to Versailles RIVE GAUCHE (do not take the other RER C7 or C8 trains).
    You can buy this Billet IDF (2,90 €) as well as the return ticket at the metro stations desks or the machines. For details see my tip.
    You have to validate your ticket when you enter your Metro station but also when entering the RER platforms and leaving the station of Versailles. So keep your ticket for the entire trip.

    From 15/07 till 23/08/2008 the RER C line wass interrupted between Austerlitz and Invalides. The situation is again normal. When arriving on the platform look well out to take the right RER C5 to Versailles RIVE GAUCHE. There are trains about every 25 minutes and the trip takes 30 minutes. The RER of 08.26 h at Invalides will bring you at the opening of the Château gates at 9.00 h.

  • Theme: Train
  • Website: http://www.ratp.fr/
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    RER (Regional Trains): RER to Paris
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  • LizD
  • By LizD on June 26, 2004
  • Paris Page by LizD
  • You can get to Paris from CDG airport by the RER train. If possible take Euro coins with you as you can purchase a ticket from a machine rather than have to wait in a queue at the ticket office. Price as at June 2004 is about E7.80 Once you arrive in Paris this same ticket will take you to your final destination on the metro "as long as you do not leave the station" (ie. go through an exit turnstyle)

    Trains run very regularly, but just beware sometimes you may have to change half way through your journey when you did'nt expect too. Don't worry about it. You will soon get the idea when your still sat down and everyone else is getting off. Just wait at the same platform for the next train.

    You can also use a Paris Visite ticket for Zone 5 on this train but check it's worth it before you buy. If you are not using the metro much for the rest of the day, a single train ticket may be cheaper.

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  • Theme: Train
  • Website: http://www.ratp.fr/
  • Other Contact: www.paris.org/Metro/
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    RER (Regional Trains): RER Train Doors
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  • bpacker
  • Updated By bpacker on October 14, 2004
  • Paris Page by bpacker
  • Press the button! - Paris
    Press the button!
    by bpacker
    This may seem pretty obvious but I've seen many frustrated travellers cursing colourfully on RER ( suburban trains ) when the doors don't seem to open. Actually all they need to do is to press a wee metallic button on the train door itself. Pushing it will open the heavy doors pneumatically..

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  • Theme: Train
  • Website: http://www.ratp.fr/
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    RER (Regional Trains): RER
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  • CALSF
  • Updated By CALSF on September 5, 2005
  • Paris Page by CALSF
  • The RER (Reseau Express Regional) is related to the metro system, but it is not exactly the same. There are fewer stops for one thing. And the RER serves locations outside of Paris such as CDG, Orly Airport, Disney Paris, and Versailles. And there are only 5 lines.

    You can use the RER withing Paris proper. For example, we used the RER when we needed to travel from CDG Etoile in the 17th district to Gare du Nord in the 10th district in order to catch the Thalys train to Brussels. It's faster than the metro as there are fewer stops within Paris. Because of this please be sure of what your exact stop should be.

    And be aware that many RER stations do not have elevators and escalators.

    You may use your metro ticket (or the Paris Visite pass) to access the RER within Paris proper only. For destinations that are further on you will need to purchase a separate ticket for that destination.

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  • Theme: Subway/Metro
  • Website: http://www.ratp.fr/
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    RER (Regional Trains): Getting back to CDG on the RER with a Stroller
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  • ChicBaby
  • By ChicBaby on February 24, 2005
  • Paris Page by ChicBaby
  • Car seat toted on to suitcase.Pack on top - Paris
    Car seat toted on to
    suitcase.Pack on top
    by ChicBaby
    Getting in to Paris was easy. Going back to CDG was a little more tricky for us. First, it's important to understand that trains may use the same main line in Paris, but branches off. If you find out that the train to the airport is on a particular platform, read the signs and make sure that the on-coming train goes to CDG. We couldn't see any signs on the train itself. We had to look at the overhead signs and see what was coming next. Don't forget that you'll have to lift up the stroller and luggage to get in. Once on the train you'll need to know which terminal you should go to. Our e-ticket papers had this information. When you arrive your correct terminal follow everyone and look for the exit. Everyone will be running for the shuttles. You won't miss them now. We had to wait 10 minutes before a shuttle came and although it was a long accordion style bus, we could tell that we might not get in if we waited. So we made sure we were one of the first ones to get in. People were wild and the just were so anxious to get to the planes...So be a little agressive and make sure you get on the bus!

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  • Theme: Train
  • Website: http://www.ratp.fr/
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    RER (Regional Trains): The Fast Track through Paris
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  • BeatChick
  • Updated By BeatChick on April 23, 2006
  • Paris Page by BeatChick
  • RER-B train to go to Paris - CDG airport - Paris
    RER-B train to go to Paris -
    CDG airport
    by BeatChick, 1 more photos
    One of the easiest, fastest ways to get around in Paris is the RER, the express train through Paris that also takes you to regional areas such Chartres or Chatou. If traveling solo, have one suitcase & want to save a bit of cash, the cheapest way to go is via the RER-B train from CDG. It stops conveniently at a few stops in Paris such as Gare du Nord, St-Michel-Notre-Dame, Luxembourg, Port-Royal, & Denfert-Rochereau. Because it stops at fewer stations it gets you quickly to where you need to go. I've taken the RER into Paris every trip including when I came into Paris via the Eurostar to Gare du Nord. But be careful in Gare du Nord as it's notorious for pickpockets.

    The other thing I'd caution you on is that many times the ticket machines are difficult to use; this past trip I stood in line with a long line of people as person after person got exasperated when the machine refused to accept his or her credit card. So I just went to the long lines to pick them up in person. This turned out to be a good thing as I was able to get my Metro pass, a carnet of tickets and the return fare to CDG. I believe round-trip fare from CDG to Paris centre is about 15 euro - not a bad deal at all. Remember to keep your ticket with you as you're likely to need it to exit the station. At least it's that way going into CDG. Also, there are Metro cops that may pull you aside to check if you've got your ticket with you. I'd been lucky prior to this trip in that I'd never seen them but ran into them late one night at Barbes Rochechouart stop. I flashed them my Coupon Jaune Metro pass and all was well. I asked if I could take a photo of them for you good folks here at VT to see but they politely declined.

    If you're traveling with other people and can split the cost of a taxi, then that is a much more convenient and cost-effective way to go. Also, taxis are a good idea if you're traveling with young ones or have more than one suitcase.

    Photos: February 2006

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  • Theme: Train
  • Website: http://www.ratp.fr/
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    RER (Regional Trains): Keep your eyes open when going to CDG
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  • jglsongs
  • By jglsongs on January 3, 2004
  • Paris Page by jglsongs
  • There are 2 RER B lines from the city to CDG (DeGaulle Airport); make sure you get on the right line that goes out to CDG. Sometimes it can be confusing: the boards list all the routes and designate whether they're 'long' or 'short' trains. Then when the RER's come in, they are identified by their names, not necessarily the destination.

    One goes to Mitry, the other to CDG. They split after the Aulnay-sous-Bois stop. It may not always be clear which one you're on...but here's a fail-safe clue:

    after the Aulnay-sous-Bois stop, if the train goes into a tunnel, you're on the right track; if you can still look out and still see the sights, get off at the next stop (Sevran-Livry), turn around, and get off at Aulnay for the right one.

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  • Theme: Train
  • Website: http://www.ratp.fr/
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    RER (Regional Trains): EZ trip from CDG to Les Halles / Chatelet
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  • Roadquill
  • By Roadquill on January 24, 2005
  • Paris Page by Roadquill
  • I took the RER from CDG to Les Halles/Chatelet metro for 7.95 euro fully armed with backpack, camera bag, rolling suitcase and rolling ski bag. Admittedly it was noon and the train was only 1/3 full. I was able to pick up a ticket at the airport station machine which took my Wells Fargo money card with even requiring my code. Getting off the train and negotiating through the Les Halles metro was no big deal and the locals were very helpful.

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  • Theme: Subway/Metro
  • Website: http://www.ratp.fr/
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    RER (Regional Trains): Getting Up and Down with a Stroller RER/Metro
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  • ChicBaby
  • By ChicBaby on February 21, 2005
  • Paris Page by ChicBaby
  • Small example of stairs in the Metro - Paris
    Small example of stairs in the
    Metro
    by ChicBaby
    The RER can be a great way to get around Paris. With a toddler and stroller you must take be prepared for anything. Some RER stations have elevators but as we encountered on our arrival to Paris, sometimes they are out of order. In that case, you might have to carry your stroller, baby, backpack, etc. up who knows how many flights of stairs. Escalators may be working one hour, but on your return, they're out of order. You will sure to see someone lugging a suitcase on wheels up and down the stairs. I only mention this to mentally prepare you for anything. My husband and I went to Paris with the belief that we would have to carry the stroller up and down everywhere. It certainly helps if you have an extra hand. We had a system going where I would carry the stroller from the handles and my husband would carry the stroller from the front. We took turns wearing the backpack and every morning, we made sure we didn't over pack!

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  • Theme: Subway/Metro
  • Website: http://www.ratp.fr/
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