Paris Transit: RER vs. Métro – What's the Difference?
Both move millions daily, but the Métro and RER (Réseau Express Régional) serve distinct roles in Île-de-France.
Métro (Subway/Underground)
- Network: 16 lines (1–14, 3bis, 7bis), ~225 km, 308 stations.
- Scope: Dense coverage within Paris intra-muros and immediate inner suburbs.
- Stop spacing: ~500 m average — frequent stops.
- Rolling stock: Rubber-tired (most lines) or steel-wheel (Lines 1, 4, 6, 11, 14).
- Hours: ~5:30 AM – 1:15 AM (Fri/Sat until ~2:15 AM).
- Tickets: t+ tickets, Navigo passes; single fare zone (central Paris).
- Best for: Short hops within the city, tourist sites, dense neighborhoods.
RER (Regional Express Rail)
- Network: 5 lines (A, B, C, D, E), ~600 km, 257 stations.
- Scope: City center ↔ outer suburbs, airports, Versailles, Disneyland, Charles de Gaulle, Orly.
- Stop spacing: Wider in suburbs (express), dense in central trunk (shared tunnels).
- Rolling stock: Double-deck (MI 09, MI 2N, Z 20500) or single-deck (Z 8800, Z 20900).
- Hours: ~5:00 AM – 12:30 AM (varies by branch).
- Tickets: Zone-based; Paris-central is Zone 1. Supplements required beyond Zone 1 (e.g., CDG = Zone 5).
- Best for: Airport transfers, Versailles, La Défense, suburban commutes, cross-city diagonals (RER A: east–west; B: north–south).
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Métro | RER |
|---|
| Primary role | Intra-city | Suburban/regional |
| Lines | 16 | 5 |
| Station density | High | Low (suburbs) |
| Fare structure | Flat (Zone 1) | Zonal (1–5) |
| Airport access | No (Orlyval separate) | Yes (CDG: B; Orly: B+Orlyval) |
| Versailles | No | Yes (C: Versailles-Château) |
Pro Tips
- Inside Paris, Métro is usually faster for short trips (no zone hassle, more frequent).
- For CDG, RER B is cheaper than taxi/Roissybus but slower than TGV (which doesn't serve city center).
- Validate tickets every entry (Métro & RER).
- Navigo Découverte (weekly) or Liberté+ (pay-as-you-go) cover both networks.
Wanderlust World