I'd like confirmation about using public transport in Paris

Posted by Gwen (Melville, NY, USA) on 08/10/26 09:32 PM

We'll be goinig to Paris this month and I want to make sure what we've decided is correct. We decided it's silly to get a Navigo card to load tickets onto and will just use our phone.

We are undecided whether or not to load the Bonjour RATP or the Ile-de-France app. We have heard some people say one is better than the other and then others say the exact opposite. Does one work better on an I-Phone and one on an Android?

I assume we tap our phones the same way we did on London transport last year.

Is the Navigo Day Pass for a calendar day or a 24 hour period? I am leaning towards getting those since it'll be hot and we might want to take a bus even for a few blocks instead of walking in the heat. Is it correct that my husband and I will each need our own app on our own phone and have our own passes loaded on our phones?

Thanks for your clarifications.

Posted by salbeachbum

Northern Gulf Coast

08/10/26 10:58 PM

339 posts

i used Ile-de-France in Spring 2025 with no problems and I just purchased tickets as needed - I did not purchase a pass and because we walked so much, it was the better option.

I think you should research the idea of taking the bus (or any other public transport) instead of “walking in the heat.” Not all public transport has air conditioning so you may just be “riding in the heat.”

Later edit: yes, both you and your husband will each need your own app on your individual phones.

Posted by Carol now retired

Lynnwood, Washington

08/10/26 11:16 PM

10548 posts

I really like having the Navigo Card for convenience. It just isn’t that expensive and I could keep phone and credit cards tucked away.

It really gets down to what your personal preferences are.

Posted by Reederman

Seattle

08/10/26 11:23 PM

437 posts

To answer your question about the Navigo Day Pass, it's good from midnight to 11:59 pm, so a calendar day.

Posted by Aaron

08/11/26 02:31 AM

647 posts

the Bonjour RATP or the Ile-de-France app. We have heard some people say one is better than the other and then others say the exact opposite. Does one work better on an I-Phone and one on an Android?

I can't speak from Android, but on an iPhone you will just end up creating a virtual Navigo card in the Wallet app either way, so it's mostly down to personal choice of which app you think is easier to use. I personally like Bonjour RATP, but don't feel that strongly about it.

I assume we tap our phones the same way we did on London transport last year.

Yes, the physical tapping is the same, though of course the underlying fare structure is noticeably different.

Is the Navigo Day Pass for a calendar day or a 24 hour period?

There is one minor exception in that you can take Noctilien (night buses) until the end of service the following calendar day -- e.g. if you have a pass for Monday, you can take Noctilien until roughly ~5am Tuesday morning -- but otherwise it is a calendar-day pass.