Paris Transit Fares

Most Public transport in Paris is overseen by the RATP and fares for the various modes of public transportation are co-ordinated by them. Regional Trains are operated by SNCF and have a separate fare structure and tickets with the exception of rides on the SNCF Transiliean and RER Network being covered by the Navigo Pass or the Paris Visite Pass.

Navigo Easy Pass or Bonjour RATP app - The Most Economical Fare Option

While the Paris Visite Pass is heavily promoted to tourists visiting the city, it is not necessarily the best option for buying fares. This is where thinking like a local helps. The Navigo Easy card or Bonjour RATP app is a contactless, reloadable payment method aimed at locals, but there's nothing preventing visitors from utilizing it. You can purchase a Navigo Easy pass for $2 € or you can download the Bonjour RATP app for free. Either lets you load up to ten individual tickets at a substantial discount which works out to just 1.69 € per trip for adults and half that for children age 4 to 10. Each person must have their own card.

If you think you will make more tha 5 single trips in a day you can load your card or app with a Navigo Day Pass for only $8.45 €. It is valid on the Metro, RER, buses and trams is valid in any 2 adjacent zones you select (Zones 1 and 2 cover the city of Paris where most of the popular attractions are located). This is significantly less than the $12 € for one day Zone 1 - 3 Paris Visite Pass and you probably won't need that extra zone. Having said that, the Paris Visite Pass does have some advantages, especially a Zone 1 - 5 pass as it will cover your transportation to or from either airport and it includes disounts at a number of popular attractions and businesses.

Paris Viste Pass - Designed for Visitors

The Paris Visite Pass gives you unlimited travel on the Metro, RER, Buses, Trams, and SNCF Transiliean Trains within the designated zones. Go for the 5-Zone pass if you are planning on going to Disneyland Paris, Chateau Fontainebleau, Chateau de Versailles, France Miniature, or Provins Medieval City World Heritage Site. A good option if arriving by plane is to purchase a 5-zone at the airport for the day you arrive plus enough additional days to visit any of the above attractions you wish to see and then purchase a 1-3 Zone Paris Centre pass for the number of days you want to explore the more central attractions.

We do not recommend purchasing or activating your Paris Visite Pass if you arrive late in the day or evening, as your first day of use will expire by 1am. In that case, purchase an individual fare to get from the airport to your hotel, or see if your hotel offers a free shuttle service. Days on the Visite pass are consecutive and begin on the day that you first use (validate) the pass.

Additional advantages of the Paris Visite Pass are that it gives you a significant discount at many major attractions and shops, which combined can add up to more than the cost of the pass and it saves you time having to line up to purchase individual tickets. Get more information on the on the Paris Visite Pass from RATP.

Individual Tickets

t+ Tickets: Paris uses a zone system for calculating fares. Most tourist attractions are located in Zones 1 to 3. You can travel through these zones on a fare called a t+ which is valid for 2 hours of travel anywhere on the Metro and within Zone-1 on the RER or for 90 minutes on Bus and Trams. Transfers are allowed between Metro and RER (providing you do not have to exit the station to transfer) or between Bus and Tram, but not between Metro/RER and Bus/Tram. Get more information on pricing and purchasing individual tickets or loading 10 tickets on a Navigo Easy card for considerable saveings per trip from RATP.

Billet Ile-de-France: For rail trips that go beyond zone-3 or zone-1 on the RER and SNCF Transilean you will need to purchase a ticket called a Billet Ile-de-France. The price of these tickets vary according to the distance travelled. Stations have separate ticket vending machines and separated ticket offices for different services, so be sure to que up at one with signage for the Billet Ile-de-France. Be sure to specify whether you require a one way (Aller-Simple) or round trip (Aller-Retour) ticket

Grandes Lignes (TVG): Tickets for high speed and intercity trains such as Grandes Lignes and the TVG can also be purchased at designated machines and ticket offices inside the stations that are served by them. Seats on these trains must be reserved, and while you may be able to book a seat at the last minute it is best to plan ahead and pre book. For that we recommend visiting SNCF's website.

If you are travelling in central Paris with young children under 4 years old, they are free.

Where to Purchase:t+ tickets for the Metro, RER, Buses, and Trams, the Navigo Easy Card, can be purchased from ticket vending machines or ticket offices in any Metro or RER Station. Billet Ile-de-France: tickets for the RER and SNCF Transilean Trains can likewise be purchased at any stations serving those lines. Paris Visite Passes can be purchased from ticket offices at any of the above stations. SNCF Grandes Lignes, TER and TVG tickets can be purchased at their designated stations or in advance from OUI.sncf to ensure you get a reservation.

Official Website: https://www.ratp.fr/en/visite-paris/english/preparing-your-trip-tickets-and-travel-passes-designed-you

• See the complete line of Paris Experiences on Viator

More Info for Getting Around Paris on Public Transportation

• Fares
• Metro
• RER
• Buses and Trams
• Batobus (River Transport)
• Regional Trains (SNCF)
• Velib Bikes
• Airport Transportation
• Transit Tips

Video