Navigo card question

The Navigo easy doesn’t use a picture. The Navigo Decouverte needs a postage stamp size photo. The Navigo easy card is heavy plastic like a credit card and you tap for entrance into the metro system. You can refill it at the ticket machine if you’ve used up your rides. If you don’t have adequate rides, the metro won’t let you through the turnstiles. If you use a paper ticket, you would need to make sure you pull it out and take it with you as you pass through the turnstiles.

Edited: OK, so I didn’t understand your concern about “validation” until I watched Les Frencies YouTube video. When there is a crowd and people are rushing through the turnstiles, they don’t always close between people and someone may think they tapped their card and proceed through, but the system didn’t actually pick it up. I think if you’re worried, let the crowd pass and make sure the gate/turnstile opens for each person. Usually the tap reader will light up or make a sound.

There are the common Navigo cards and their Navigo fares.

Navigo Cards

a. The Navigo Easy (2€) is transferable and accepts tickets (MTR or BT), any day pass, and airport bus tickets.

b. The Navigo Découverte card (5€) is nontransferable (requires the holders name and picture), and holds only passes.

c. Your smartphone can be configured as a card by downloading and configuring either the Ile de France Mobilités app or the Bonjour RATP app.

Navigo Fares

a. Single ride tickets: MTR (2.50€) may be used on the métro, Transilien train, or the RER.

b. Single ride tickets: BT (2€) may be used on the bus (other than airport buses) and tramway. Note: tickets purchased from the driver are 2.50€.

c. Airport tickets : 13€ riding the métro, RER, Roissybus.

d. Unlimited ride passes :

• Day (all zones, excludes airports) - 12€

• Week (M to Sun) - 31.60€

• Calendar month - 88.80€

• Include all transportation options within the zone coverage purchased: métro, bus, tramway, funicular, RER, or Transilien train.

https://www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/tarifs-titre-de-transport-en-commun-2025

The Navigo Easy card is easy and straightforward. It costs 2e and you can load it with as many rides as you want when you buy it. You can then add as many more tickets at kiosks in the station or with your smartphone.

The smart phone option is great - it will read your card, tell you how many rides you have left and your last 3 validation time and place. You can add 1, 3 or 10 rides at a time from your phone and you can add bus tickets to the card as needed as well. If you’re out and about and want to take a bus just add a bus ticket and tap when you get on.
Edit: the app is the BonjourRATP app

If you have payment method on your phone you can use that - the longest part about the process is having to type in your email address for a receipt. You can scan and load multiple cards from a single phone.

It works really well and there are options for English instructions on the machines and in the app.

And a shout out to CityMapper app in Paris for routes and instructions.

Have a great trip,
Tod

Just want to add further support for use of the Bonjour RATP app- extremely easy to use, refill, and keep track of how much you have left. It's made travelling on the Paris metro so much easier for us. However, I don't know if your kids have smartphones?