Paris Campus

Metro-Bus-RER

The usual mean of transportation within Paris is the Metro. Its network covers the whole of Paris and it usually has very good and reliable service. Students can buy their tickets at every metro station. However, the best option is to buy the “Carte orange” which is a weekly or a monthly pass that allows you unlimited travel by metro, bus or RER (local trains), within the selected zone. You can also buy a carnet: 10 metro tickets with a discount price. Weekly meto passes can also be purchased. The tickets are valid from Monday to the following Monday. The metro system is divided in 6 Zones, the zone 1 comprises Paris, and the other 5 zones are in the Region of Paris called “Ile de France” (“Banlieue”-the suburbs of Paris-). Students under 25 years can apply for the “Carte Imagine R”, which is a discounted ticket for youths. The price is around € 29 every month and is debited automatically from the student’s bank account. These cards are good for one year and applications can usually be obtained from any metro station. This card can also provide students with discounts in certain restaurants and museums. Students will usually take the metro within the zone 1 and maybe between the zone 1 and 2, from the place where they live to the campus ( see instructions ” how to get to the campus”). When travelling within the zone 1, students can also take the bus with their “Carte Orange”. The bus system is also very efficient, although the journey might take longer depending on the traffic conditions. Buses run from 6.30 am to 12.30am from Monday to Saturday with a more limited service on selected lines on Sundays and public holidays. After the metro and normal buses stop, the only public transport is the night bus ( Noctambus lines) from Place de Châtelet to different areas in Paris and suburbs. Furthermore, students can choose to take the RER, which is a train that goes from Paris to the suburbs and it passes through the 6 Zones in the Paris area. While travelling in Paris, you can use this train. It is usually faster because it has less stops, and the price is covered with your “Carte Orange”. However, if you wish to go to a different zone than that stated on your “Carte Orange”, you will have to pay an additional fee. You can easily get to the Paris airports ( Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly) by taking the RER.

Train

Several attractions in the subwbs, such as the Versailles Castle or Disneyland Paris, are served by the RER local train network. However, most locations farther away from Paris are served by the SNCF ( the state railway). The TGV ( Train à grande vitesse) is a high-speed train which has revolutionized journey times and is gradually being extended all over France. Travellers have to pay a supplement and book in advance though. SCNF national reservation and information service: 08 36 35 35 35 or at www.sncf.fr Students under 26 benefit a 25% reduction on all the trains in blue periods ( except from TGV’s). Students planning to stay for at least one year should buy a year reduction card ( Carte 12/15) to benefit a 50% reduction on all the trains ( 25% for TGV’s) in blue periods ( specific dates and hours) or a 25% reduction ( for the rest of the time). Important discounts for international journeys are also made.

Paris train stations:

• Gare d’Austerlitz: to South and Central France, to Madrid and Barcelona (Talgo trains).
• Gare de Lyon: to Southeastern France, the Alps, the French Riviera, Italy, Switzerland,
• Gare de l’Est: to Eastern France and Germany
• Gare du Nord: to Northern France, Channel Ports, Belgium, the Netherlands, Northwestem Germany and London ( the Eurostar train takes 2.5 hours to the London St. Pancras station).
• Gare St.Lazare: to Normandy
• Gare Montparnasse: to West France, Britanny, the Southwest and Spain.

Taxi

Taxi ranks are found on numerous major roads and at stations. Taxi charges are based on area, time, piece of luggage.

Most journeys in central Paris average € 6-8, whereas taxi rides from/to the Paris airports average € 40-50.

To request cab service, call Taxi G7 01 47 39 47 39, or Taxis 7000 01 47 37 10 10 or Taxis Bleus 01 49 36 10 10

Rent-a-car

To hire a car, you must be 25 or over and have held a licence for at least one year. However, some agencies accept drivers aged 21-24. You should have your driving licence and passport with you. You can find most intemational rent-a-car companies, such as Avis, Europcar, Hertz or Ada in Paris and its airports.

Plane

Roissy-Charles de Gaulle

Most of the international flights arrive at the Roissy airport, 30 km north-east of Paris. Its two terminals are some way apart, so students should check which is the right one for their flight. 24 hr. information service in English:01 48 62 22 80 Transportation to Paris: RER B ( the quickest and most reliable way to get to Paris which costs € 7.62), taxis, the Air France buses, the Roissy buses and some other airport shuttles to different points in Paris. There is also a SNCF train station at Terminal 2.

Orly

French domestic and several international flights use Orly airport, 18 km south of the city. It also boasts two terminals: Orly-Sud (international flights) and Orly-Ouest ( domestic Bights). Information service in English: 01 49 75 15 15 Transportation to Paris: Orlyval and RER B ( which also connects to Roissy airport), taxis, Orlybuses and Air France buses.

Beauvais Tillé Airport

70 km from Paris, with a bus link to Porte Maillot. For flights from/ to Ireland and Scotland.