Page 378 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

376  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Travelling by Metro and RER

The RATP (Paris transport company) operates 14 main
Metro lines, referred to by their number and terminus Art Nouveau
names, which criss-cross Paris and its suburbs. There metro sign
are also two minor lines – 3b (Gambetta–Porte de Lilas)
and 7b (Louis Blanc–Pré St Gervais). The Metro is often
the fastest and cheapest way to get across the capital,
as there are hundreds of stations (see map on inside
back cover). Metro stations are easily identified by
their logo, a large circled “M”, and some by their Art
Nouveau entrances. The Metro and RER (Paris rail
network) systems operate in much the same way. The
trains run from 4.45am to between 12.40am and
1.30am (1 hour later at weekends). Modern Metro sign

Reading the Metro Map
Metro and RER lines are shown Metro and RER stations with RER and Metro station
inter-connecting passage
serving the same lines
in various colours on the Metro
map. Metro lines are identified by
a number, which is located on
the map at either end of a line.
Some Metro stations serve only Metro line
one line, others serve more than
one. There are stations sharing
both Metro and RER lines and Metro station Metro station serving
some are linked to one another serving one line two lines
by interconnecting passages.
Metro line identification
number
Using the RER Buying a Ticket
often quicker to take an RER
The RER is a system of train to a station served by both, Ordinary Metro and RER tickets
commuter trains which travel as in the case of La Défense and can be bought either singly or
underground in central Paris Nation. However, getting into as a carnet of ten, from ticket
and above ground in outlying the RER stations, which are booths or ticket machines in the
areas. Metro tickets and passes often linked to the Metro by a booking halls (carry some euro
are valid on it. There are five maze of corridors, can be very coins). The useful Paris Visite bus,
lines, known by their letters: A, time-consuming. Metro and RER pass (see p374) is
B, C, D and E. Each line forks. For The RER is particularly useful widely available, and you can
example, Line C has six forks, for getting to Paris airports and also buy it in advance at certain
labelled C1, C2 etc. All RER trains to many of the outlying towns travel agencies and rail ticket
bear names (for example, ALEX and tourist attractions. Line agents abroad (e.g. Rail Europe
or VERA) to make it easier to B serves Charles de Gaulle in London). There is also the
read RER timetables in the airport and Orly airport; Passe Navigo Découverte (see
station halls and on platforms. Line A goes to Disneyland® p374) which requires a pass port
Digital panels on all RER Paris; and Line C runs to photo. One Metro ticket entitles
platforms indicate train name, Versailles and Orly airport. you to travel anywhere on the
direction of travel (terminus) Metro, and on RER trains in
and upcoming stations. central Paris. RER trips outside
RER stations are identified by the centre (such as to airports)
a large circled logo. The main require special tickets. Fares to
city stations are: Charles de suburbs and nearby towns vary.
Gaulle-Etoile, Châtelet-Les- Consult the fare charts posted
Halles, Gare de Lyon, Nation, in RER stations. You must retain
St-Michel-Notre-Dame, Auber- your ticket during the trip, as
Haussmann St-Lazare and the regular inspections are made
Gare du Nord-Magenta. and you can be fined for not
The RER and Metro systems having a ticket or having the
overlap in central Paris. It is RER logo wrong ticket.

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