Frequently Asked Questions

Public Transport Network

What are the different modes of transport?

The métro has 16 lines are served Paris and its nearby suburbs. The RER is regional rail which serves the entire region and comes frequently. Transilien is a true commuter rail network which serves the entire region as well, however, Transilien comes less frequently than the RER.

Is the network accessible to wheelchairs?

The buses and trams are fully accessible. 

The métro is barely accessible. Only line 14 is fully accessible. The RER on the other hand is much more accessible 

Fares & Tickets

What's the best ticket for me?

If you are here for a few days, here a few options:

• Get a Navigo Easy Card for 2€ and load a book of 10 t+ tickets onto it for 14,90€. You can also get single-use paper t+ tickets for 1,90€, but you get a discount when you load 10 onto a card.
• Get a Navigo Découverte Card for 5€ and load a weekly pass for 22,80€ on the card. This gives unlimited access to the entire network in all 5 fare zones (including airports). A one-way ticket from CDG Airport costs 10,30€ so if you were going to make a roundtrip (20,60€) for the airport, you only need to make 2 trips in Paris to justify the cost of a weekly pass!

If you are here for just a day:

• I'm assuming that you don't have a card, so I recommend the Mobilis day ticket which costs 7,50€. Because you get discounts for buying 10 t+ tickets (métro tickets) at once, a day pass is rarely worth it for people staying more than a day, however, you are likely to make less than 10 trips in the day that you are here.

If you are here for a week or a month:

• Get a Navigo Découverte Card for 5€ and load a weekly pass for 22,80€ or a monthly pass for 75,20€ on the card. This gives unlimited access to the entire network in all 5 fare zones (including airports). A one-way ticket from CDG Airport costs 10,30€ so if you were going to make a roundtrip (20,60€) for the airport, you only need to make 2 trips in Paris to justify the cost of a weekly pass!

Are there reduced fares for young people?

Yes. Children 4-9 years get a 50% discount on books of t+ tickets and Île-de-France tickets. Additionally, children 4-11 get a 50% discount on the Paris Visite ticket.

Children 4 and under always ride for free with a paying adult.

Anyone under 26 years can also benefit from the Youth Weekend Pass. On a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday it gives unlimited access to the network for only 4,10 for fare zones 1-3 or 8,95 for all fare zones. This is a great deal, so definitely take advantage if you are under 26 and are making a few trips on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday!

There are no discounts on buying new Navigo Cards for youth, and most unlimited passes do not have reduced fares for youth either.

If you live in Île-de-France, the Imagine R passes give unlimited access to the network for school and college students. The Carte Scol'r also allows school students in the far suburbs to ride a special bus to and from school.

Are there reduced fare for seniors?

If you do not reside in Île-de-France, there are no reduced fares for seniors.

If you do reside in Île-de-France, people age 62 and over get a 50% discount on the annual pass. Senior veterans and disabled also get a discount with the Améthyste Pass.

How much does it cost to ride the métro, tramway, or bus?

A t+ ticket which is good for 1 trip on the métro, bus, tramway, or RER/Transilien within Paris costs 1,90. You can get a book of 10 tickets at the cost of 14,90 if you load them on a Navigo Easy Card or on your phone.

Can I pay cash to the bus driver?

Yes you can, however, I do not recommend this as it is cheaper to buy tickets ahead of time. If buy a ticket from the bus driver it costs 2,00 and no transfers are possible to any other line.

Can I transfer between different modes of transport with the same ticket?

T+ tickets allow the following transfers within 90 minutes:

If you used your t+ ticket on the métro, RER, or Transilien:

You can transfer between these modes within 90 minutes, as long as you do not exit the station

If you used your ticket on the bus or tramway:

You can transfer between vehicles within 90 minutes. Roundtrips on the same line are not possible with the same ticket.

If you used your ticket on the Montmartre Funicular:

No transfers are possible to other modes

Can I use a contactless credit card to pay?

You can only use a contactless credit card on the Orlybus and Roissybus airport express buses right now.

Can I use my phone to pay?

Yes! You have several options:

• The Bonjour RATP mobile app lets you buy t+ tickets, daily, weekly, monthly, and airport express bus tickets. Download the app from Google Play or the App Store.
• You can buy a bus ticket for 2€ by text message. Send a text message to 93100 stating "BUS" and the bus route number (For example "BUS63"). Data charges may apply.

Navigo Cards

What is the Navigo Card?

The Navigo Card is the smartcard for the public transport network in Île-de-France. There are several different types depending on how often you travel.

How much does a Navigo Card cost?

The Navigo Easy Card (for single tickets and day passes) costs 2€

The Navigo Découverte Card (for day, weekly, and monthly passes) costs 5€ and requires a picture.

Personalized Navigo Cards which are for Île-de-France residents only is free the first time you get it. If you lose it, you must pay 8€ to replace it.

Where can I buy a Navigo Card?

Navigo Easy and Navigo Découverte cards can be obtained right away from the station agent in any métro/RER station. The personalized Navigo Card can be obtained either online or at a customer service center. 

The cost of a new card is stated in the question above.

Do I need a Navigo Card to travel?

You don't need a Navigo Card, however it you're here for more that a day I recommend getting one. Navigo Easy Cards allow you to get discounts on books of 10 tickets and Navigo Découverte Cards allow weekly passes.

If you want a day pass and do not have a card already, you should get the Mobilis Day ticket.

There are several types of Navigo Cards. Which one should I get?

If you're a resident in Île-de-France, get the personalized Navigo Card. You can get an annual subscription, passes, or Liberté + if you don't travel that often.

If you are visiting for a few days and are going to travel a lot, I recommend a Navigo Découverte Card with a weekly pass loaded onto it. Remember that weekly passes are valid Monday thru Sunday and must be purchased between Monday thru Thursday. If you get a weekly pass on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, it is for the following week.

If a weekly pass does n

I lost my Navigo Card; can I get it replaced?

Personalized Navigo Cards (which are for Île-de-France residents only) are replaced for 8€. Maximum 2 replacements per year. To replace your card, log in to your personal space.

Navigo Easy and Navigo Découverte cards are not replaced if lost. You must buy a new card and top it up again.

Does the Navigo Card have online management?

Just like above, only the personalized Navigo Card (for Île-de-France residents) has online management. You can access this by logging in to your personal space. In your personal space, you can renew/cancel your subscription, start a subscription, and declare that your card it lost.

All types of Navigo Cards can be reloaded with the Île-de-France Mobilités app if your phone is compatible.