0
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
no edit summary
==Inside Paris==
Public transport in Paris consists of metro, RER (fast trains serving the suburbs with relatively few inner city stops), buses and a few trams. If you're paying for tickets and you'll make a few journeys then the cheapest option is to buy a carnet of 10 single tickets (around 11 euros). You can travel to the end of RER lines for less than 15 euros.
Metro System
Ticket checks never occur on metro trains. Inspectors seem to employ 2 approaches: They form a line inside a metro tunnel or station exit and check all travellers, since the staff are uniformed these checks are easy to see from a distance. Sometimes they hide just round a corner so look for buildup of people. The second technique involves plainsclothes inspectors watching the gates and busting those jumping over, they'll either stop you directly or radio ahead to uniformed inspectors who will ask to see a valid ticket. Checks never occur during rush hour, peak times for controls are evenings, weekends and the beginning of a new month. Except for the major stations its pretty easy to jump the barriers or pass through with other members of the public, only the major stations will require a validated ticket to exit. During the day you stand a very high chance of travelling for free, at night or weekends you face a moderate or low chance of meeting a control. Dont worry about the station staff serving tickets, they have nothing to do with the controls and people often jump the barriers in front of them.
RER System
Uniformed inspectors will ask for validated tickets on the train and you maybe subject to the checks mentioned above as well (the RER shares the metro infrastructure). It's possible to travel free but you stand a much higher chance of being busted than on the metro. It seems that checks can occur at any time so the best time to travel free is rush hour when controls are impossible. You stand a significantly higher chance of being busted than on the metro but even so the odds are still in your favour.
Buses
Like most cities you can walk on a bus without showing or validating a ticket. Checks are rare and occur mainly at night.
Fines and Punishments
French transport police won't make any exceptions for foreigners. Although it could be possible to talk them out of fining a dumb tourist they are largely fairly hostile. Most commonly they will ask for a 40 euro fine which can be paid in cash or by credit card.
===Charles de Gualle/Roissy airport===
