'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: Ok...for all NYers going to Paris, let me break it down.
The RER is like a metro but it's for long distances (think the 4/5 express as opposed to the 6 train-local). It runs the same way as the metro but doesn't stop every few blocks but rather goes quite aways (like 14th street to 42nd street)
When you board a train in NY, you shove yourself in. When you board a train in Paris, you say "pardon" or "excusez moi". (I think this is far nicer than shoving) You'll most likely get stared at b/c you're not going to fit in, but at least try not to stand out too much (target for pickpockets or beggars).
*** when DE-BOARDING a train, you have to manually open the doors. They don't open automatically. Learn from my mistake (and two missed stops!) You need to either 1) press a little button that's located on the door itself or on the side somewhere or 2) push a lever upwards to release the door.
***when DE-BOARDING a train, Parisians don't wait till the train has come to a full stop. They alight while the train is still MOVING. Personally, I don't think that's very safe, but these Parisians have got it down to a pat. They'll open the door as soon as the locks are released (you can hear it) and jump off the train while it's still moving. Granted, it's very slowly, but it's still moving.
Oh and lastly, In NY subways, you swipe your metrocard (or single ride ticket) and you're down with it. On both the Paris Metro AND the London Tube, YOU NEED TO KEEP THAT TICKET. You'll be fined in London (I don't know about Paris) if you don't keep your ticket. In Paris, you can't get out of the turnstiles. Then again, they don't need the ticket on departure for each station, but at several stations you'll need your ticket to get out.
And if you're transferring from an RER train to the metro line, you'll need the ticket b/c you leave the RER station and walk through an underground "subway" (they call underground walkways "subways" in Europe) and insert it again to get onto a metro line train.
Happy travelings!
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on Mar 1, 2005
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