You’re in Paris, and it’s easy to overspend if you don’t know about the Navigo card. Metro, buses, trains, transfers, zones, fares – it solves all your transport puzzles: load your travel card and ride as much as you like. Metro, RER, buses, trams, even trains to airports – everything is included.
» READ MORE – How to save money on public transport in Paris?
Navigo is a way to save time and money. It is a card onto which you can load travel passes – for a day, a week, a month – or just a bundle of tickets. With it, you don’t have to queue at the ticket machine, buy a new ticket every time, or keep track of fares. Just tap and go.
- One travel pass – all transport: metro, RER, trams, buses, Transilien suburban trains
- No confusion with zones and transfers – the same rules apply
- You can travel as much as you want for a fixed price (if you choose a travel card instead of single tickets)
- Convenient to use – the card works like a travel wallet; no paper tickets needed
If you’re in Paris for a day, it’s convenient. For a week – even better. And if you have luggage, children, and plans to go to Disneyland or Versailles, you can’t do without Navigo.
Navigo has three types of plastic cards. But tourists only need two of them – and here’s how not to get confused:
- Purple. No photo, no name. Costs €2
- Ideal for short trips: load t+ tickets individually or in packs of 10, a day pass (Navigo Jour), or a ticket to the airport
- Can be purchased from a machine in a couple of minutes
- Blue. With photo and name. Costs €5
- You need this if you want to buy a weekly or monthly pass. Photo – 25×30 mm; you can bring your own or have one taken on the spot
- Sold at ticket offices in metro and RER stations
- Black or dark blue. For residents only
- Works on a subscription basis, gives access to discounts and post-payment (Navigo Liberté+)
- It requires proof of residence and is issued only upon presentation of documents
Navigo cards themselves do not give you anything – you need to «record» a ticket or pass on them.
Single trips
Ticket t+ – a standard ticket for the metro, bus, tram, or train within Paris.
- Costs €2.10 per trip
- You can buy 1 or 10 at once (a book of tickets for €16.90)
Ideal if you plan to travel a lot during one day.
- The cost depends on the zones: from €8.45 (zones 1–2) to €20.10 (all zones)
- Suitable for trips to airports, Versailles, and Disneyland
Navigo Easy
The best option if you are in Paris from Monday to Sunday.
- Costs €31.60, covers all zones
- Valid only from Monday
If you are in Paris for a long time, this is the most cost-effective solution.
- Costs €88.80, valid for the entire calendar month
- Sold in advance: for the following month – from the 20th of the current month
Navigo Découverte
If you need a pass for the weekend and the beginning of the following week, consider the Paris Visite pass.
Is it worth buying a Navigo pass? It depends on when you are going to Paris, where you will be staying, and how long you will be there. Of course, the main disadvantage is its validity period. A monthly pass is useful if you plan to stay in Paris for at least three weeks during a calendar month and use the metro or buses more than twice a day.
Buying a weekly pass will save you a lot of money if you arrive in Paris on Monday and plan to travel around the city actively during the week. Arriving in Paris in the middle of the week? The cost of Navigo is unlikely to pay for itself, as you will only be able to use it until Sunday. In that case, you should consider purchasing Navigo Easy and ten trips for €18.90, or buying one-day passes on days when you plan to travel a lot.
When weighing the pros and cons, also consider which district you plan to stay in. If you are staying in central Paris, you will be able to see the main sights with minimal use of public transport. In this case, purchasing a Navigo pass does not make sense.
Paris – choose a hotel in the city centerNavigo is beneficial for those who have decided to stay in a hotel not in Paris, but in its suburbs. For example, near Disneyland. A travel pass will really help you save money here.
Have a nice holiday!
» READ MORE – Paris 2025. How much does it cost?
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