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When relocating to France from the US, it is important to know the transportation customs of different cities throughout the country.
The transportation in Paris varies widely, as it is the most well-traveled city in France. It also has the uniqueness of a seemingly strange street layout. Don't expect the grid-like street formation that Americans from New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Denver and other large cities are used to. In comparison to American cities, it has more of the layout of New Orleans, Houston, Boston or San Francisco: it is a smorgasbord of street plans that have been randomly implemented over the years.
So be sure to always bring a map!
Aside from cars, though, there are many different way to traverse the City of Light.
Walking/Biking
Paris is a beautiful city, and seeing it at a slow pace can be quite nice. Walking around the city is a great way to get around, and it tends to be a fairly popular one. Though it is not nearly as popular as biking. Cyclists are everywhere in the city, and are even supported by the city itself. In 2007, Vélib ' was implemented. It created a bicycle rental program that now has 20,000 bikes at 1,450 stations across Paris, making it easy for anyone to bike their way around the city.
Public Transportation
Bus
The bus is probably one of the easiest ways to get around Paris. There are 58 lines throughout the city, and Paris is so dedicated to its bus lines that many of the main roads have a lane specifically designed for buses and taxis. These are often separated from the rest of the street by concrete barriers, so one can be sure that he’ll be getting where he’s going fairly quickly.
Métro
The Métro is similar to American subway/train systems in larger cities such as the New York Subway, the Washington D.C. Metro or the Chicago El Train. There are 14 lines, 12 of which run into the suburbs as well as the city proper. The lines tend to be fairly simple, and this system remains an important way to get around the city. Coupled with buses, getting almost anywhere in Paris becomes simple.
Réseau Express Régional
The Réseau Express Régional (RER) is an underground train system made more for the suburbs than the city itself. If looking to travel out to the suburbs or if one ends up living there, this is probably the train that will be used. It goes further into the outlying neighborhoods than the Métro does.
Transilien
The Transilien are trains in the suburbs that do not connect to the RER but reach into the main parts of Paris.
Tram
An old style of public transportation that long-since disappeared and has recently been brought back, there are three trams now in Paris.
The RATP Web site is a great resource for maps and schedules.
Relocation Resource Articles
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