Getting Around — Paris's Metro System is now Paperless
Those infamous little paper tickets are no more
Did you know that as of January 1, 2025, those little paper Paris Metro tickets are no longer? Seasoned public transit users will remember buying them, each good for one one-way trip. We have plenty of memories of forgetting which ones had been used, and rummaging through pockets to find the unused ones. I’m sure we have plenty of them still in our luggage!
Instead, all Metro, RER, Bus, and Tram routes are now on the Navigo system, which utilizes a refillable card or a smartphone app. There are two types of passes you can purchase:
Navigo Easy is a transferable, rechargeable card for occasional travelers, which can be purchased and charged at one of the many ticket kiosks located in the Metro system. The card can be passed to multiple travelers during the day.
Navigo Decouverte is a non transferable card that must be purchased in person and involves getting a photo of yourself and attaching it to the card. Definitely not easy!
TFE Insider Tip: If you plan on using public transportation, there are quite a few aspects to the new system you’ll need to know, take the time to familiarize yourself with it before you go!
Here are our tips for buying a Navigo Easy card:
The new Navigo system uses two kiosks, one to purchase cards and one to refill. Make your inital card purhase at a Tickets kiosk (middle picture above).
Purchasing a Card
Follow the prompts on the video screen to purchase a Navigo Easy card. The card itself costs 2 €.
You’ll have to select the type of ticket you want to load onto the card:
Metro tickets (inner city) are 2.5 €
Bus/Tram (inner city) tickets are 2.50 €
Airport tickets (inner city train to and from CDG) are 13 €
Next, select the number of “tickets” or one-way trips you plan on taking. You cannot enter a dollar amount. This is different than card-based public transit systems like those in New York or Chicago. If you choose the Metro tickets option you will have to buy at least two.
You can use a credit card or euros to pay.
With Navigo Easy you can preload up to:
20 Metro-Train tickets
20 Bus-Tram tickets
20 Paris region to Airport tickets
2 Paris Day Passes
TFE Insider Tip: Unfortunately, if your card is loaded with Metro-Train tickets, you cannot purchase an Airport ticket. Yikes! You’ll have to “use” all the metro tickets before loading an Airport pass.
Whew!
Refilling Your Card
Loading the card is thankfully a little easier. Look for the purple kiosk titled Rechargement, hold your card on the tap station (see below) and follow the prompts. Make sure you hold the card on the tap station for the entire transaction. Note you cannot refill your card at a “Ticket” kiosk.
Introducing the Navigo Easy App
Want to skip standing in line? Navigo Easy has a corresponding phone app. The Île-de-France Mobilités app allows you to purchase and manage your Navigo Easy tickets directly on your phone, replacing the need for a physical card. Available for both Android and iOS.
Last Words
As you can see the new system is somewhat complicated … in fact we’ve noticed Parisians themselves are having a difficult time navigating it. With our tips though, you’ll be able to sail right through and get to your train.
Happy travels! If you’re in Paris let us know if our article helped.