Navigo Semaine Paris Pass Explained for Tourists
If you’re staying in Paris for a week, the Navigo Semaine (weekly pass) is often the most cost-effective way to move around the city. It covers unlimited rides on metro, RER, buses, and trams from Monday through Sunday.
Many travelers are confused about where to get it, what documents are required, and whether it works for tourists.
A major frustration is the lack of clear instructions on the official website. The site often steers visitors toward Navigo Easy, which is more expensive for heavy users. Details about the photo requirement are also poorly explained.
Here’s a full breakdown of how it really works, based on real experiences.
Where You Can Buy the Pass
The Navigo Semaine isn’t a separate card by itself. It’s a weekly fare option that must be loaded onto a specific card called the Navigo Découverte. This card is what you buy first, and then you can add the weekly pass to it.
At Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, staffed counters usually don’t sell the Navigo Découverte. Machines at the airport only handle single fares, RER tickets, or the Navigo Easy card, which cannot carry the weekly option.
To get a Navigo Découverte, you normally need to go into the city. Gare du Nord is a popular place to buy it, though lines can run 30 minutes or more.
Most metro and RER stations with staffed ticket windows also sell it. Some travelers pick it up at Orly airport.
Cost and Validity
The weekly fare is €31.60, covering zones 1 to 5. That includes metro, bus, tram, and RER journeys inside Paris, plus trips out to CDG, Orly, and Versailles.
The card always runs Monday through Sunday regardless of when you buy it. Arriving on a Monday maximizes value, while arriving later in the week reduces the usefulness.
There’s no pro-rata option, so a Saturday purchase won’t give you nine days, it activates the following Monday.
The Card and Photo Requirement
The weekly pass is loaded onto a Navigo Découverte card which requires a passport-style photo and your name written on it.
Many travelers bring their own photos to save money, since photo booths at stations charge about €8.
Even simple copies on printer paper are accepted. Staff place the photo in a plastic sleeve, so it doesn’t need to be professional quality.
Hotels sometimes print small copies of ID photos for guests, which can be taped to the card. Some travelers cut photos from photocopied IDs to save time and cost.
The photo requirement is meant to prevent sharing one card between several people. Once prepared, the card lasts for years and can be reused on future trips.
Buying and Reloading at Stations
At large stations like Gare du Nord, there are two kinds of machines: some issue new Navigo Découverte cards, others only reload existing ones. Signs above the machines usually indicate the difference. Queues for reloading are often shorter.
Reloading is also possible at CDG and other stations after the first card is purchased. Travelers who already own a card from a previous visit can top it up easily at machines.
Also check out the official FAQ for more details.
Using the App and Phone as a Pass
Île-de-France Mobilités allows phone-based tickets, but the setup isn’t smooth for everyone. Creating an account requires a valid phone number, and some U.S. numbers don’t pass the system check. In some cases, older accounts created before this rule still work.
People try workarounds like VPNs or temporary SMS numbers to register with a European phone number. Some succeed, others run into payment blocks or security errors.
On iPhones, some get as far as the Apple Pay confirmation screen but still can’t complete the purchase. Refund functions inside the app are also unreliable.
Because of these issues, many travelers prefer the physical card. It avoids concerns about battery life or NFC malfunctions during travel.
Alternatives to Navigo Semaine
Travelers unable to get the Navigo Découverte often resort to Navigo Easy, a rechargeable card without photo ID. It can hold single rides or day passes but not the weekly fare.
Since the carnet of 10 discounted paper tickets was discontinued, costs add up quickly if you ride frequently. A family of three using Navigo Easy with single tickets can easily pay more than with weekly passes.
The Paris Visite pass is marketed to tourists, but its cost is high. One day often costs close to the price of a Navigo Semaine for seven days. Unless you only stay for a day or two, the Paris Visite rarely makes sense.
When the Pass Stops Working
All Navigo Semaines expire at midnight on Sunday. If you’re leaving Paris on Monday, you’ll need another ticket.
The weekly card cannot be loaded with single journeys, so you may need to buy a separate Navigo Easy and load a one-way ticket onto it for the ride to the train station or airport.
Why It’s Worth It
Despite the hurdles, the Navigo Semaine is still one of the best deals in Paris. For just over €30, it provides unlimited travel across the city and suburbs, covering both airports, Versailles, and Disneyland Paris. Once you’ve got the card set up, using it is simple and quick.
Bring a small photo with you, plan to buy the card at a staffed station on or before Monday, and don’t rely entirely on the app if you’re using a non-European phone number.