Metro Tickets: 7 Answers for Everyone Who Is Totally Lost
If you are planning a trip to Paris, chances are you’ve spent hours scrolling through forums trying to figure out how to pay for the train. Between Navigo Easy, Navigo Découverte, and various phone apps, the system feels designed to baffle.
The good news is that for most travelers, it boils down to just a few main paths. Here are 7 tips you need to know to ride like a local without the stress.
1. Forget the “US Phone” Myth
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need a French phone number to use digital tickets. This is completely false. You can use your US or international phone to buy tickets individually or in packs.
If you have an iPhone, the process is even simpler because you can add a Navigo card directly to your Apple Wallet by hitting the plus sign and searching for “Navigo.” This allows you to tap your phone at the turnstile without even unlocking it.
Android users can achieve the same by using the Bonjour RATP or Île-de-France Mobilités apps. You don’t need to change your SIM card or worry about regional restrictions. As long as you have an internet connection to purchase the fare, your phone becomes your ticket.
2. The Navigo Easy: No Photos Required
If you prefer a physical card but want to avoid the hassle of bringing a passport photo, the Navigo Easy is your best bet. It costs 2€ for the physical card, which you can buy at any station counter or machine.
Once you have it, you can load it with individual tickets or a “carnet” of 10. A great pro-tip is that you can actually reload this card using your phone’s NFC reader via the RATP app, saving you from standing in long lines at the station kiosks.
This is perfect for the casual traveler who wants to explore the city center without committing to a full week’s worth of travel.
3. The Weekly Pass (Monday-Sunday)
The Navigo Découverte (Weekly Pass) is the most cost-effective option for heavy travelers, but it comes with strict rules. It costs 32.40€ plus a 5€ card fee and covers all zones, including the airport and Versailles.
However, it runs strictly from Monday to Sunday. If you arrive on a Friday, it is rarely worth the cost because it will still expire on Sunday night.
Most importantly, this pass requires you to attach a physical photo and write your name on it. Many travelers forget this step, but transit police are extremely strict. If you get caught without a photo on your card, you will be fined on the spot, even if the fare is fully paid.
You don’t need a professional photo, a small selfie printed on regular paper at home and taped on will suffice.
4. One Person, One Card
A common mistake for families or couples is trying to “double tap” a single card or phone for two people. The Paris Metro system does not allow this. Every single traveler must have their own physical card or their own smartphone with a loaded ticket.
If you are traveling as a couple, you will need 2 separate Navigo Easy cards or two separate phones. Sharing a single digital account on two phones is also not supported, so plan to have each person set up their own device before hitting the station.
This rule also applies to children 4 or older, so ensure every member of your party is equipped with their own valid fare before passing through the gates.
5. Airport & Suburban Trips
The Navigo Easy card is perfect for the Metro and buses within the city (Zone 1), but it has a frustrating limitation when it comes to “Origin-Destination” tickets, such as those for Disneyland or the airport.
These trips are on the RER and require specific fares based on the distance. Some users have found that the Navigo Easy card needs to be entirely empty of standard Metro tickets before it will allow you to load these specific suburban fares.
If you find the machines are being “obnoxious” or refusing your purchase, it is often easier to just buy a separate paper ticket for those specific long-distance RER trips to ensure you don’t get stuck.
Alternatively, the Navigo Weekly Pass includes these zones automatically, making it the superior choice if your trip involves multiple excursions outside the city center.
6. Battery Life & App Glitches
If you choose the digital route, your phone becomes your legal proof of fare. If your battery dies mid-journey and you are stopped by a ticket inspector, you will be treated as if you have no ticket at all. This usually results in a 50-euro fine that must be paid immediately.
Some travelers have also reported that the Bonjour RATP app can occasionally “send you in circles” during the setup process.
If you encounter app issues while still in the US, it may be due to geo-fencing. In this case, wait until you arrive in Paris and use the airport Wi-Fi or a local connection to finalize your purchase.
If you aren’t diligent about keeping your phone charged or aren’t tech-savvy, the 2€ physical Navigo Easy card is a much safer insurance policy against technical glitches and transit police.
7. Strategic Buying
Planning your purchases can save you money and time. If you know you will be taking the Metro at least 10 times, always buy a “carnet” rather than individual tickets, as the price per ride drops significantly.
For those using the physical Navigo Easy card, remember that you don’t have to wait in line at the “Vente” (Sales) window. Most automated kiosks have an English language option and accept international credit cards with chips.
If the machine is crowded, pull out your phone, open the RATP app, and use the “Scan my card” feature to load your tickets wirelessly.
This hybrid approach, a physical card for reliability and a smartphone for convenience, is often the “sweet spot” for most tourists visiting Paris for a week.