Written by on July 3, 2023

What Paris Metro Navigo Travel Card is best?

Travel

Confused about what metro card to purchase for your visit to Paris?

I was too, and I did some research, which I simplified for you here. Hopefully this makes your decision easier.

There are a multiple Navigo Travel Card Options for Available and each one works best with different fares.

Types of Navigo Metro Cards:

  1. Navigo Travel Card- Must live or work in Île-de-France to get this card. Not an option for Tourists
  2. Navigo Easy Travel Card – 2 Euros – You can share this card, or pass it on to someone else. This card can be filled with T+ Tickets.
  3. Navigo Découverte Travel Card – 5 Euro – Must have name and photo on card, and not transferable. Can load card with Day, Weekly, or Monthly Passes.
  4. Paper Tickets- For single trips if you do not have a Travel Card.
  5. Paris Visite Travel Pass – available in multiple options
  6. Mobile App – Only works on Android.

Deciding which card to get will determine based on what zones you plan to go to, and how many days you will be in Paris.

What are the Metro Zones in Paris?

  • The Île-de-France region is divided into 5 Zones.
  • Paris is Zone 1
  • The Metro operates in Zones 1 and 2
  • RER will take you outside of Paris into the other Zones
  • Versialles and Orly Airport are in Zone 4
  • CDG is in Zone 5
  • Chateau Fontainebleau and Disneyland Paris are in Zone 5

Paris Metro Fares

Fare Type DaysZones Cost Travel Card Required:
Navigo WeeklyStarts Mon and Ends Sunday NightAll Zones30 EuroCan only be added to Navigo Découverte
One Day Pass1 day Choose 2 Zones8.45Can only be added to Navigo Découverte
Visiter Travel Pass5 DaysZones 1-3 (Paris)43.30Visite Travel Pass
Visiter Travel Pass3 DaysZones 1-3 (Paris)30.10Visite Travel Pass
plus 11.45 for airport
Visiter Travel Pass3 DaysAll Zones (Zone 1- 5)74.30Visite Travel Pass
Airport Transfer1 TicketPurchase for Specific Airport. RER B Station to Airport11.45every 10 – 20 mins. Single Ticket.
T+ Ticket on Navigo Easy passSingle TripAll Metros (Zone 1 -2), RER Paris only (Zone 1)2.10Navigo Easy pass
T+ Ticket on Navigo Easy passPack of 10 All Metros (Zone 1 -2), RER Paris only (Zone 1)16.90Navigo Easy pass

Which Navigo Metro Card do you need?

If you plan to go to outside Paris and travel to Zone 4 and 5 for Versailles, the Airport, or Disneyland you will want to have a card that includes all Zones. The best option is to purchase a Navigo Découverte for 5 Euros (you must attach a 25mmx 30 mm picture), and load with Navigo Weekly pass. Total cost 5 + 30 = 35 Euros.

If your are only in Paris for a couple of days single fares may be a better option.

Should I buy single trip tickets for Paris Metro?

If you do not plan on taking many trains this may be the best option. Also this may be worth it if you only plan to be traveling within Paris (Zones 1 and 2). If you need 2 airport transfers (11.45 x 2 = 22.90), and and plan to 6 or less single trips (2 destinations if you include both ways) (2.10 x 6 = 12.60) your total cost will be 35.50 Euros. So if you plan to be taking any additional trips buying single tickets is not most cost effective option.

Is the Paris Visiter Travel Pass for Metro worth it?

The Paris Visitor Travel Pass may be the best option if you are arrive at the end of the week, and stay into the following week. In this case a weekly pass is probably not the best option since it ends on Sunday Night. The Paris Visitor Pass also gives some discounts to popular attractions, but I do not think that should be a consideration when determining, which Navigo travel pass is the best option.

The Navigo Découverte Travel Card with a Navigo Weekly Pass is the most cost effective option if it works with your schedule! For some even buying two weekly passes may be cheaper than individual tickets. Especially if you plan to venture outside Zone 1 and 2.