The RER (short for Réseau Express Régional) is an express train network that connects the suburbs with Paris. In the city, the RER is a form of rapid transit - its trains are much faster than Métro ones and more direct, meaning there are fewer stops in the city. In the outskirts of Paris, the RER is used as a commuter rail system.

The network has five lines (A, B, C, D, and E) that spread across five zones. During your visit, you will likely spend most of your time in Zone 1, where the city centre and most important sights are. For this reason, you’ll probably use the Métro more often, only integrating some journeys with the RER trains. Don’t worry, the tickets are the same and there are interchange stations.

However, when you need to reach places further out like Disneyland Paris, the Versailles Palace, or the airports, you will find the RER to be better than other means of public transport.

Tickets & passes

Paris’ RER has a variety of tickets available, depending on your accommodation’s location, some will be better than others.

• T+ tickets are basic one-way tickets valid for RER Zone 1. Once you validate the ticket on the RER system, one journey is valid for up to 2 hours, meaning you can change lines as many times as you want. These tickets can also be used for Métro, buses, tramways, and funicular. You can buy T+ tickets as singles (€1.90) or in a contactless packet (carnet) of 10 (€14.90). These packets need to be loaded on a Navigo Easy Pass, which you will need to get with a one-time purchase (€2.00). Children between 4 and 9 have reduced fares on the 10 T+ ticket packets (€7.45). If you have doubts about the T+ tickets, you can check out our dedicated article.

• Another type of single ticket is the Billet Ile-de-France (IDF), useful if you’re travelling on the RER outside of Zone 1 as a one-time thing (for example moving between city and airport, or going to Versaille). The price of these IDF tickets is determined station to station, reaching a maximum of €5.00.
• The Carte Mobilis is a single-day limitless pass. It comes in different zone availabilities, from zones 1-2 to zones 1-5. It is valid for RER, Métro, buses, tramways, and funicular.
• The Paris Visite is a multi-day pass, frequently used by tourists since they also offer discounts on museums and tours. These passes come in different duration options (1, 2, 3, or 5 days) and two zone validities. It is valid for RER, Métro, buses, tramways, and funicular. The two zone validities offered are zones 1-3 or zones 1-5. Discounts apply for children aged 4-9. If you need more info on the Paris Visite pass, you can read our dedicated article.

• The Navigo Découverte is a weekly or monthly pass with no zone limitations. It requires separate purchase of the card (€5.00) and costs either €22.80 (weekly) or €75.20 (monthly). The weekly ticket is valid strictly Monday to Sunday, regardless of which day you purchased it. Starting Friday, Navigo Découverte passes for the current week are no longer sold, and you can only buy them for the following week. These passes are valid for RER, Métro, buses, tramways, and funicular. If you want to learn more about the Navigo pass, you can read our dedicated article.

Schedule

Obviously, the closing and opening times vary from one line to the other, and the times are approximate. However, the schedule is normally consistent every day, with no distinction between weekends and weekdays. Just keep in mind that some lines might close even one hour earlier than others.

Things to keep in mind

• CDG Airport (Charles de Gaulle) is reachable with RER line B.
• Disneyland Paris is reachable with RER line A.
• The Versailles Palace and the Orly Airport are reachable with RER line C.
• If instead, you feel like treating yourself to something a bit fancier when visiting destinations outside the city centre, you can always book a private transfer instead of riding the RER. For example, you can arrange a private transfer with entries included to the Versailles Palace , or even a pick-up from your hotel with a skip-the-queue ticket in Disneyland .
• Keep in mind that there are quite a few express RER trains, meaning they just cross the centre without making stops. To make sure which ones do and which don’t, check out the passenger information displays.

Helpful tools

The RATP, the entity that operates the majority of public transport in Paris (including the RER trains), has a route planner on its website.