When traveling through the magnificent and romantic city of Paris, most people conjure up images of daredevil driving or those old-fashioned, big-framed bicycles or even the famous Paris Metro. One transportation modality that is often forgotten is the city’s dependable commuter train system, better known as the RER or Reseau Express Regional. Since its inception in 1977, it has actually become the most used urban commuter system in the world. No visit to Paris is complete without riding one of these modern, sleek trains.

Why was it created?

If the Paris Metro already served the needs of the city since the early 1900’s, then why did the city build an additional train line? The Paris Metro actually stopped meeting the transportation needs of the city as early as the 1950’s. With a great population boom after the war, especially in the suburban locations, the Paris Metro was no longer the workhorse it needed to be. In 1977, the first lines were inaugurated and it continues today to successfully meet the needs of the city.

Service area

The RER’s service area is much more extensive than the Paris Metro. Like the Metro, the RER serves the urban city, the closer suburbs, and the Charles de Gaulle airport. However, the RER also serves greater metropolitan Paris (further outlying suburbs), the Paris-Orly airport, and the all-popular Euro Disney. That means if you’re staying in a one of the outlying areas of the city, you can reach the city center or even Euro Disney all one convenient system.

The RER consists of five separate lines (A – E) along with several branches. The real beauty of the RER is that it even connects with the Paris Metro, for even more convenient usage.

Other advantages of the RER versus the Paris Metro

Not only does the RER have a more extensive and wider network, but also acts like an express train compared to the Paris Metro: trains are larger; run faster; and have fewer stops. With the same operating hours as the Metro, and equivalent prices for similar geographic zones, it pays to ride the RER.

Take the Paris shuttle from Paris’ three main airports or from Eurodisney and other main attraction spots.