There are 2 main public transport companies in France – the national railway company "SNCF" (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français) and for Paris and its suburbs, the "RATP" (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens).
>> The RATP web site (notably for a metro and RER map and routes)
>> The SNCF general web site
>> The Paris region web site of SNCF
N.B. A book of 10 tickets ("un carnet") is cheaper than a single ticket.With a metro ticket you can also use RER lines (but only in zones 1 and 2), the bus and tram network.
1 ticket adult fare : 1,40 €
A book of 10 tickets adult fare : 10,70 €
To use the RER, check: the line (e.g. line A), the direction i.e. the station at the terminus (e.g., Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy or Torcy), and then the name of the station you want (e.g., Noisy-Champs). Before getting on the train, check the electronic boards on the platform to make sure the train stops at the station you want.
Inside the City of Paris, the RER can be used as a metro line and with the same tickets.
"Un aller-retour pour... " : ticket to a specific destination and return ticket.
Carte Orange prices in 2006 (examples):
Zones Weekly Monthly
1-2 15,70 51,50
1-3 20,80 68,10
1-4 25,70 84,40
There are 6 main-line stations in Paris, where you can catch trains for the Paris suburbs, the provinces and abroad.
>> More information
Noctilien is a night service open after the closing of the metro and the RER.
Buses run on the main axes in Paris and the suburbs every hour from 1:00am to 5:30am.
They cost one or more metro tickets (and are free if you have a seasonal ticket).
>> More information
>> The RATP web site (notably for a metro and RER map and routes)
>> The SNCF general web site
>> The Paris region web site of SNCF
The undergound / subway network ("le métro")
How to use the metro
Look at the number of the line (e.g. line 12), the direction, i.e. the station at the terminus (e.g. Mairie d’Issy) and then the name of the station you want (e.g. Porte de Versailles).Where to buy a metro ticket
Go to a Ticket Office or an automatic vending machine in the station. Do not buy a ticket from a ticket tout/stranger.N.B. A book of 10 tickets ("un carnet") is cheaper than a single ticket.With a metro ticket you can also use RER lines (but only in zones 1 and 2), the bus and tram network.
1 ticket adult fare : 1,40 €
A book of 10 tickets adult fare : 10,70 €
The RER (Rapid Transit System)
How to use the RER
The RER network has some stations in Paris and extends into the suburbs. There are 5 lines and each line is identified by the letter A, B, C, D or E.To use the RER, check: the line (e.g. line A), the direction i.e. the station at the terminus (e.g., Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy or Torcy), and then the name of the station you want (e.g., Noisy-Champs). Before getting on the train, check the electronic boards on the platform to make sure the train stops at the station you want.
Inside the City of Paris, the RER can be used as a metro line and with the same tickets.
Where to buy an RER ticket
RER tickets can be bought at Metro and RER station Ticket Offices. If you wish to go beyond zones 1 and 2, then you must state your destination: e.g., from Saint-Michel/ Notre-Dame to Noisy-Champs or from Nation to Noisy-le-Grand.Vocabulary :
"Un aller pour..." : one-way ticket to... (specific destination)"Un aller-retour pour... " : ticket to a specific destination and return ticket.
Season tickets
The "Carte Orange"
When you use the network regularly, you should buy a weekly or monthly season ticket, covering the zones you use. Zone 1 covers Paris inter-muros (i.e. the City of Paris, basically inside the Ring Road) and the farther out you go, the number of zones and therefore fares increase. To travel between the centre of Paris and Noisy-Champs for instance, where ENPC is located, you need to buy a "carte orange" for zones 1 to 4.Carte Orange prices in 2006 (examples):
Zones Weekly Monthly
1-2 15,70 51,50
1-3 20,80 68,10
1-4 25,70 84,40
The "Imagine’R" season ticket
This season ticket, called "Carte Imagine’R" , is similar to the "Carte Orange", but is available only for students under 26 years of age. It is valid for 12 months, costs less than a "Carte Orange" and has special offers (for more information, visit the web site . We highly recommend this solution.SNCF main-line stations in Paris
There are 6 main-line stations in Paris, where you can catch trains for the Paris suburbs, the provinces and abroad.
- "Gare Saint-Lazare": for trains to the North-West of France (Normandy).
- "Gare du Nord": for trains to the North of France, Northern Europe (The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany) and Great Britain.
- "Gare de l’Est": for trains to the East of France, Eastern Europe (Southern Germany, Luxembourg, Austria).
- "Gare d’Austerlitz": for trains to the south-west of France and Spain.
- "Gare de Lyon": for trains to the south and south-east of France, Switzerland and Italy.
- "Gare Montparnasse": for trains to the west and south-west of France.
The "Carte 12/25"
For long distance travels, the SNCF designed the "carte 12/25". Designed for young people up to 25 years of age, this card reduces train fares (in the whole of France + Paris-London) by up to half. It costs 49 Euros. Take it, and you will have made up for the price on your first or your second trip !!!>> More information
Noctilien
Noctilien is a night service open after the closing of the metro and the RER.
Buses run on the main axes in Paris and the suburbs every hour from 1:00am to 5:30am.
They cost one or more metro tickets (and are free if you have a seasonal ticket).
>> More information