Paris Public Transport Guide

  The RER and Transilien networks are Paris’ suburban train systems. RER Line A is the busiest train line in all of Europe with a daily ridership of 1.2 millions riders on that line alone. The different RER lines travel straight across the center of Paris undeground making it convenient to travel inside Paris.  What is the RER & Transilien (and what’s the difference)? The RER is a mix of both rapid transit and regional rail. It operates quite frequently, but still slightly less frequently than a regular métro system and often uses double decker trains. The RER also travels across the center of Paris underground making several stops in the city. Transilien is more a true commuter rail system where trains terminate in a major railway station often with trains operating every hour. How To Ride Get to a station: Look for the RER in a circle logo for an RER station, or the M in a circle for a métro station. A sign outside the station tells you the station name and what lines go there. P

 The métro can get you around Paris and its nearby suburbs rapildy. With over 300 stations on only 220 km of track, it is one of the densest métro systems in the world. On this page I talk about operating hours, fares, and other useful information Hours of Operation The métro operates from 5 AM to 1 AM. Between 12:30 AM and 5 AM, the Noctilien night bus service provides alternate transportation options. How to ride Most of the métro is pretty straightforward and easy to understand, but I explain in depth down here. Find a station: Look for the red métro sign, the métropolitain sign, or the M in a circle directly outside the entrance of a métro station. A sign at the entrance indicates the name of the station and what lines go there. Purchasing your fare: If you don't already have a fare, you will need to get one. All machines have fare vending machines where you can reload your card or buy tickets. Additionally, there is also an information booth where you can buy a new Navigo card

As a tourist in Paris, you are probably not going to ride the tramway, but it can be super useful when traveling on the border of the city and into the suburbs. Find (almost) everything about the tramway system here! Hours of Operation Just like the métro, the tramway operates from 5 AM to 1 AM. Frequency is about every 6 minutes during peak hours, 10 minutes during off-peak, and every 20 minutes in the evening. How to Ride Riding the tramway is easy. Follow these simple steps before and during your trip. Get to a tramway station: Most tramway stations have 2 platforms, one for each direction of travel. You will therefore need to know what direction you are traveling in when you get to the stop. Use the crosswalk at the end of the platform to cross the tracks. Purchasing your fare: Most tramway stations have fare vending machines, so you can reload your card or buy tickets at the tramway stop. No fares can be purchased onboard the tramway itself. Wait for your tram: Most tramway stops