We will be traveling in Paris next September and am wondering if the 5 day, zone 1-5 Visit pass is a good deal. I also saw on another post, that Metro fees are rising on January 1st. If this is a good deal, should I purchase these by the end of the year and will I be able to use them next September?
https://booking.parisinfo.com/il4-offer_i149-paris-visite-pass-pass-transport.aspx
Thank you.
Vanessa
The visite is the worst transport product. It is a rare circumstance in which it would be a good choice. To give you good advice we need to know when you are there -- the exact dates matter. The visite will cost as much as 3 times as much as better options.
I was wondering, that’s why I asked. We’ll be in Paris from September 12 through the 17th.
Thanks for your reply, it’s very helpful.
Since that is during one week you need to get a Navigo Decouverte -- card is 5 Euro -- weekly pass will be about 30 -- all 5 zones.
janettravels44 has you pretty well covered there. Sorry I'm late to the party but I'm a few hours off and have just got out of bed.
She's right, took the words out of my mouth, the Paris Visite is awful. Do the weekly pass as she has said, you will be miles ahead.
I do not agree that the Paris Visite pass is awful, but can be expensive vs. the alternatives.
If a visitor's objective is Paris for 5 days, arriving/departing by train or airport by taxi, the Paris Visite cost is 38.35€ vs 30€ + 5€ for the weekly Navigo fare plus the card (plus a photo which is available for an additional 5€). If this visitor arrives on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday, his weekly Navigo fare will not cover his full 5 days, but the Paris Visiste will.
Configuring a Paris Visite requires one’s name and start date. Configuring a Navigo Découverte card also requires one’s name but not including the photo can result in a 35€ fine if one is controlled and the photo is missing.
A savvy traveler considers all options, then chooses the one best matching his specific requirements. For some, the Paris Visite will be the better option.
Just to comment on this:
If a visitor's objective is Paris for 5 days, arriving/departing by train or airport by taxi, the Paris Visite cost is 38.35€ vs 30€ + 5€ for the weekly Navigo fare plus the card (plus a photo which is available for an additional 5€).
38.35€ is the price of the 5;day pass for Paris Centre : it does not include airport transportation. The pass that includes airports costs 65.80€ so roughly breakeven with 2 weeks of weekly Navigo passes!
The Visite is TWICE the cost of the ND and a sensible travel doesn't use a machine to get the head shot but prints one on their computer and brings it with. The ND is for 5 zones for a week. The visite is for 5 days and would cost 65 Euro for those 5 days. It is also a small easy to lose or demagnetize ticket.
There are situations where the Visite is reasonable e.g. a trip over a weekend where you are staying with your uncle in zone 4 and commuting every day to Paris. But if the ND fits the dates it is always the best choice for a 5 days trip.
What adds cost to the Visite is all the little discount coupons for various tourist activities in Paris that you may or may not choose to avail yourself. You may take advantage of some of these, but unlikely to do enough to recoup the added cost
Wow, thanks for all this information. It gives me a lot to think about. I appreciate all the help.
Vanessa
