You are planning a vacation to Paris, so surely you will have questions about public transportation tickets.
Perhaps you have already read somewhere that there are various tickets for public transportation in Paris and its Île-de-France region.
Indeed, it is not easy to navigate through all of this and make a decision on which ticket would be the best, especially if you are not familiar with the city or are traveling to Paris spontaneously. Let's hope that the following article will dispel any doubts.
Ticket+, Mobilis, Paris Visite, Navigo Découverte, or Navigo Easy?
In any case, it's important to know that there are two types of tickets:
Cardboard tickets: Ticket+, Mobilis, Paris Visite (they are being phased out by the transport authority, and that's why Navigo Easy is being introduced, which will soon completely replace cardboard tickets through Navigo Easy or through the IDF Mobilités app on Android).
City cards or rechargeable cards: Navigo Découverte or Navigo Easy.
To choose the right ticket, we recommend answering the following questions:
👉 Duration of Stay: How many days are you staying? Will you be there for a whole week from Monday to Sunday?
👉 Airport: Which airport are you arriving at, and are you using public transportation?
👉 Accommodation: Where is your accommodation located (which zone)?
👉 Age: Are you traveling with children aged 4-11? Are you under 26?
👉 Sightseeing Plan: What do you plan to visit?
These questions will help determine the most suitable ticket based on the length of your stay, the airport you arrive at, the location of your accommodation, your age, and your sightseeing plans.
Your answers will help you choose the right ticket, and you can find more details below:
Using the "IDF Mobilités" app, you can check the zone where your accommodation is located. Simply enter a sample route, and at the bottom of the screen, you'll see something like "Zone 2," indicating the second zone. You can also use the public transportation map.
Zone 1: Major attractions in Paris - Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, Louvre, Notre Dame,...
Zone 2: Vincennes Castle
Zone 3: La Defense
Zone 4: Versailles, Orly Airport
Zone 5: Disneyland, Charles de Gaulle Airport
1. Ticket Métro-Trains-RER: Convenient and Flexible
(Ticket Métro-Trains-RER : pratique et flexible)
The Metro-Train-RER Ticket allows travel across Paris and Île-de-France, including the metro, trains (Transilien), RER, and certain trams (T11, T12, T13). The ticket is valid for 2 hours from the moment of validation, allowing transfers between lines.
Full Price: 2.50 €
Discounted Price: 1.25 € (for children under 10 years old)
This ticket can be used on metro, RER, and Transilien trains, but it does not cover buses, tramways (except T11, T12, T13), Noctilien buses, or airport transport networks (Orlybus, Roissybus, Orlyval, etc.).
2. Ticket Bus-Tram: Perfect for Local Travel
(Ticket Bus-Tram : idéal pour les trajets locaux)
The Bus-Tram Ticket is used for buses, trams, Noctilien, Filéo, and Tzen lines in Paris and Île-de-France. The ticket allows for transfers between bus and tram lines within 1.5 hours of validation.
Full Price: 2 €
Discounted Price: 1 € (for children under 10 years old)
This ticket is not valid on metro, RER, Transilien trains, or airport transport networks. It is also available in the Bonjour RATP app, which allows you to purchase and validate your ticket via your phone or Navigo Easy pass.
3. Roissybus and Orlybus: Travel to Airports
(Roissybus et Orlybus : transport vers les aéroports)
To reach Paris airports, there are specific services:
Roissybus: 13 € to Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Orlybus: 13 € to Orly Airport.
Starting January 1, 2025, the Paris-Aéroport Roissy Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Aéroport Orly tickets will be replaced by a single ticket called Ticket Paris Région <> Aéroports. This ticket will cover both CDG and Orly airports via the RER B (for CDG) or Line 14 metro (for Orly) or Orlyval shuttle.
Full Price: 13 €
Discounted Price: 6.50 € (for children under 10 years old)
Those with a Navigo pass including zone 5 will already have this trip included in their pass.
4. Forfait Paris Visite: Ideal for Tourists
(Forfait Paris Visite : idéal pour les touristes)
The Paris Visite Pass is designed for tourists who want unlimited travel around Paris and the Île-de-France region. The pass is valid on metro, RER, buses, trams, as well as airport transport (Orlybus, Roissybus, Orlyval).
Paris Visite Pass prices (valid from January 1, 2025):
1 day: 29.90 € (full price), 14.95 € (discounted price for children under 10)
2 days: 44.45 € (full price), 22.20 € (discounted price for children under 10)
3 days: 62.30 € (full price), 31.15 € (discounted price for children under 10)
5 days: 76.25 € (full price), 38.10 € (discounted price for children under 10)
This pass covers all public transport modes, including the RER B and Line 14 metro for airport access. You can load the pass onto a Navigo Easy pass (available for 2 € at stations) or directly on your smartphone or smartwatch via the Bonjour RATP app.
Tip: This pass is perfect for visiting places like Disneyland Paris (45 minutes by RER A) or Versailles Castle (30 minutes by RER C).
5. Navigo Passes: Flexibility and Savings
(Forfaits Navigo : flexibilité et économies)
Navigo Passes are perfect for those staying longer in Paris. Here are the available options:
Navigo Day Pass
(Forfait Navigo Journée)
5 zones (zones 1-5): 20.60 € (full price), 12 € (discounted price for children under 10)
Navigo Weekly Pass
(Forfait Navigo Semaine)
All zones (zones 1-5): 30.75 € (full price), 31.60 € (discounted price for children under 10)
Zones 2-3: 28.20 € (full price), 29.60 € (discounted price for children under 10)
Zones 3-4: 27.30 € (full price), 28.60 € (discounted price for children under 10)
Zones 4-5: 26.80 € (full price), 28.20 € (discounted price for children under 10)
Navigo 2-zone passes are free of charge on weekends, public holidays, during school holidays in zone C, and in summer (mid-July to mid-August). Take advantage of this to travel across all Île-de-France!
Navigo Monthly Pass
(Forfait Navigo Mensuel)
All zones (zones 1-5): 86.40 € (full price), 88.80 € (discounted price for children under 10)
Zones 2-3: 78.80 € (full price), 82.80 € (discounted price for children under 10)
Zones 3-4: 76.80 € (full price), 80.60 € (discounted price for children under 10)
Zones 4-5: 74.80 € (full price), 78.60 € (discounted price for children under 10)
These passes are available through the Bonjour RATP app or can be loaded onto a Navigo nominative pass available for free at stations. If you prefer a digital option, you can load the pass onto your smartphone or smartwatch.
6. Vélib’ and Scooters: Convenient for Short Distances
(Vélib' et trottinettes)
Both Vélib’ bike rentals and electric scooters are popular options for getting around Paris over short distances. Discounted tickets are often available for children under 10 years old or for people with disabilities. Prices and availability may vary depending on the provider.
Who is Eligible for Discounted Tickets?
In the Paris public transport system, discounted tickets are available for children under 10 years old. Be sure to carry proof of age if you are using a discounted ticket for your child.
Despite the wide range of options, we hope the article has helped you, and now it will be much easier for you to choose a ticket for your future stay in Paris.
And you? Have you already chosen your ticket?
See you in Paris! ☺️
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