Traveling to Paris but are not sure which Paris metro tickets or Passes to buy? Then this article will help you figure that out!
In my last article, I showed you exactly how to use the Paris metro. Today, I want to go a bit further and talk about the different types of metro tickets available.
With several options like the Navigo Easy Pass, the classic T+ tickets, the Paris Visite Pass, and the Navigo Découverte Pass, it can be quite overwhelming to choose the right one, and figuring out the transportation zones doesn’t make it any easier.
So in this article, I’ll talk about all the Paris metro tickets and passes available to make sure you choose the right one!
What are the Transport Zones in Paris?
To decide which ticket or pass to buy, you need to understand the transportation zones of Paris.
This is often the most confusing part of navigating the city’s transport system but I’ll try to simplify it as much as possible.
The first thing to know is that Paris’s transportation system is divided into 5 different zones.
Zone 1 encompasses central Paris covering all the 20 arrondissem*nts or districts.
Zone 2 includes suburbs close to the city including Boulogne-Billancourt, Montrouge, Ivry, and Stade de France.
Zone 3 stretches further out, featuring places like La Défense, the Basilica of Saint-Denis, Parc de Sceaux, and Château de Vincennes.
On the other hand, Zone 4 has the Palace of Versailles and Orly Airport.
Zone 5 reaches the farthest, including Parc Astérix, Disneyland Paris, Provins, Fontainebleau Castle, and Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport.
Now that you know which popular attractions fall into each zone, let’s look at the different types of tickets available.
Paris Metro Tickets And Passes
T+ single journey ticket
The T+ single journey ticket costs €2.10 for a full fare and half that price for children aged 4 to 11. Kids under 4 years old can ride the metro for free.
You can use this ticket on the metro, buses (except the Orlybus and Roissybus, which serve Orly and CDG airports respectively), and trams throughout the Île-de-France region. You can also use it on the RER but only within Paris, meaning just Zone 1.
For example, you can travel to La Défense using a T+ ticket on the metro, bus, or tram, but not on the RER, since La Défense is in Zone 3, not Zone 1.
This ticket also allows you to transfer between metros, buses, and RER trains within 90 minutes of the first validation. However, you cannot transfer between different types of transportation (e.g., from metro to bus, or tram to RER).
You can purchase the T+ ticket as a physical paper ticket or load it electronically onto a Navigo Easy Pass, which we will discuss next.
Navigo Easy Pass
The Navigo Easy Pass costs just €2 and can be loaded with any number of T+ tickets directly from the RATP counter, ticket vending machine, or even via the RATP or Île-de-France Mobilités apps on your phone.
If you’re not sure how to do this, you can check out my recent YouTube video here.
You can also load the pass with a bundle of 10 tickets, known as a ‘Carnet,’ which is more cost-effective than purchasing 10 individual tickets.
Is the Navigo Easy Pass worth it?
Absolutely. It saves you time since you won’t need to queue for tickets each time, and it also saves money when you buy tickets in bulk.
Just like the paper ticket, you can use this pass on the metro, buses, and trams throughout the entire Île-de-France region, but remember, it’s only valid in Zone 1 for the RER.
One-day Navigo travel Pass
Another option to consider is the One-Day Navigo Travel Pass, which can be loaded onto a Navigo Easy Pass or a Navigo Découverte Travel Card — we’ll talk more about the latter option later in the article.
When purchasing this pass, you need to select at least two zones, with combinations available from Zones 1 to 2, up to all 5 zones. For any two zones, it costs €8.65; three zones cost €11.60; four zones, €14.35; and all five zones are €20.60
This pass grants you unlimited rides on all transportation modes within the chosen zones until midnight on the day of purchase, excluding the OrlyBus and RoissyBus services.
Is the Navigo One-Day Pass worth it?
It’s convenient as it saves you from needing to recharge your card throughout the day. However, you’ll need to do the math to see if it’s more cost-effective than buying T+ tickets and individual tickets for each trip, especially outside Zone 1.
To give you an example, let’s assume you’re planning to visit Disneyland Paris which is located in Zone 5.
If you choose a day pass covering all 5 zones for €20.60, you might find it slightly more expensive compared to buying individual round-trip Disney tickets at €5.50 each way, plus 2 or 3 T+ tickets for additional rides in Paris.
And if you’re just spending a day in central Paris (Zone 1), the pass breaks even if you use the metro, bus, or tram at least four times. So, calculate based on your travel needs to decide if this pass is cost-effective for your itinerary.
Navigo Youth Weekend Pass
If you’re under 26 years old, consider the Navigo Youth Weekend Pass. It costs €4.70 for zones 1 to 3, €6.05 for zones 3 to 5, and €10.35 for all 5 zones.
It offers unlimited transportation on the metro, RER, and buses, but note that it’s only valid on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Is the Navigo Youth Weekend Pass worth it?
Absolutely! If you’re under 26 and in Paris for the weekend, this pass is a no-brainer. It’s not only affordable but also incredibly practical for extensive travel across the city.
Paris Visite Travel Pass
The Paris Visite Travel Pass is a pass that gives you unlimited access to all forms of transportation be it the metro, bus, tram, RER, and SNCF trains in the Île-de-France region for either 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days.
The daily price depends on the zones you select, starting at €13.95 for zones 1 to 3 and going up to €29.25 for zones 1 to 5.
With this pass, you can easily visit major attractions such as Disneyland Paris, Versailles, and Fontainebleau Castle, and travel to Orly and CDG airports.
You may also get discounts on some popular landmarks in Paris.Just remember to write your name and the dates on the ticket for it to be valid.
Is the Paris Visite Travel Pass worth it?
While it’s convenient for accessing various landmarks, this pass is somewhat more expensive compared to other options.
For example, a one-day pass for zones 1 to 3 costs €13.95, whereas the Navigo One-Day Pass for the same zones is only €11.60.
Similarly, for all 5 zones, the Paris Visite costs €29.25 compared to €20.60 for the Navigo One-Day Pass.
Navigo Découverte Travel Card
The Navigo Découverte card offers a flexible way to travel around Paris and its neighboring suburbs, covering all forms of transportation from zones 1 to 5.
The card itself costs €5, and you can load it with various types of passes including the Youth Weekend Pass and the 1-Day Navigo Pass we looked at earlier, or a Weekly Pass.
The Weekly Pass costs €30.75 for all zones, and although it sounds like a good deal, it comes with certain limitations.
It is only valid from Monday to Sunday midnight, regardless of when you start using it, and it can only be purchased starting on the Friday before your travel week.
Additionally, you must write your name on the card and attach a passport photo. If you don’t have a photo, you can take one at the photo booths available in various metro and train stations.
You can also purchase this pass on your phone, which eliminates the need for a physical card, though be aware that validation machines sometimes fail to read from phones.
For Android users, there’s an option to buy tickets directly on the phone, but this feature isn’t yet available for iPhones — though it’s expected by May 2024.
Is the Navigo Découverte Travel Cardworth it?
The value of the Navigo Découverte card depends largely on your travel plans. If you’re staying in Paris from Monday to Sunday, or even for four days, and plan to visit places like the Versailles palaces, and Disneyland Paris, and travel to and from CDG airport, then it is worth it.
Just the round trips to the airport by train would cost €23.60, Versailles would be €8.10, and Disneyland Paris €10, totaling €41.70, which already exceeds the cost of the pass, making it a cheaper option.
However, if your visit is concentrated in zones 1 and 2, or you arrive mid-week, the pass might not be the best value. As always, do the math based on your specific trip.
Paris Metro Price Changes During the 2024 Olympics
If you’re visiting Paris during the Paris 2024 Olympics, you should note that the metro ticket prices will go up from July 20 to September 8.
The cost for a single ride t+ ticket will jump from €2.15 to €4, and a bundle of 10 tickets from 17.35 € to €32.
However, a special pass known as the Paris 2024 Pass will be available for €16 a day or €70 a week, covering travel in Paris and to both Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports.
During this period, the Navigo Découverte Travel Card and the One-Day Navigo Pass will not be available for purchase.
With all that being said, what’s the best ticket option for your time in Paris?
Ultimately, the right choice depends on several factors including the number of days you’re in Paris, the places you plan to visit, and the zones you’ll be traveling through.
If you’re mainly staying in central Paris and don’t plan any day trips to places like Versailles, Disneyland, or Fontainebleau Castle, I’d recommend purchasing a carnet of 10 tickets on a Navigo Easy Pass. It is more convenient and offers more value.
And although I find the Paris Visite Travel Pass to be more expensive than the other options available, it might still make sense for your specific itinerary if you’re planning extensive travel across multiple zones. As I mentioned earlier, do the math and see what works for your trip.
Check out these posts to help you plan your trip to Paris
- Big Mistakes to Avoid in Paris
- What Not to Wear in Paris
- Important Things to Know Before Traveling to Paris
- The Ultimate Paris Bucket List
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