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Navigo Decouverte Pass - where to purchase?

Bonjour;
I arrive at CDG very early after an overnight flight.
I understand one can buy the Navigo Pass at CDG however, I don't function tool well after long flights at night and prefer to purchase the pass once I reach Paris and after a few hours of sleep.
Other than CDG, where can one purchase the Navigo Pass?
Thank you.

Posted by
5289 posts

JS,

You can buy the Navigo Découverte at most Metro, RER, and train stations in Paris.

Don’t forget to bring a small photo of yourself. I just scanned my passport photo and reduced its size before printing it.

You’ll find all the information you need to know about the ND here: Paris by train

Enjoy your trip!

Posted by
8441 posts

Easiest to go to the RER window at CDG and buy it from the clerk. At any metro stop in Paris you buy it on the machine then take the receipt (which looks like a metro ticket) to the window and get the kit and assemble it and then return to the machine and put the pass on it. There are English instructions; the pass sits on a pink swirly place on the machine and the machine will tell you when the pass charging is complete and you can take it off. Always keep the receipt; we once had one not work and the information clerk charged it up when given the receipt.

Posted by
14559 posts

If there is a Tabac (tobacco shop) near your lodging you may be able to buy it there. The Tabac down the street from my hotel sells them and will assemble it for you as long as they are not too busy (and as long as you have the aforementioned picture). They also sell Museum Passes so I head there to make both of my purchases.

The Metro stop that is closest to my hotel also has a manned booth where you can purchase the Navigo pass. They also assemble them. Takes them about 1/10th of the time to put them together, lol.

Posted by
202 posts

I have my Navigo Decouverte Card from 2014. Is it still valid? Can I just reload a week on it upon arrival?

Posted by
2655 posts

Very few métro stations have sales windows. You should purchase a Navigo Découverte card at the ticket kiosk, take the receipt to the service window and the agent will exchange it for the actual card. Agents have scissors if your photos need trimming. If the agent is not otherwise busy, he will usually help you assemble the card. Be sure to print your name in the space provided.

The Navigo cards are advertised to be rechargeable for 10 years.

Posted by
5697 posts

How will you get from the airport to Paris? If by train/RER the €11 fare would be covered by a Navigo Decouverte bought at CDG. The staff there is used to dealing with jet-lagged travelers.

Posted by
10545 posts

I got a Navigo Decouverte in December 2008. I had used it on subsequent trips, and assumed it was still good for my trip to Paris in June 2018. I was wrong. Apparently it expired in July 2017. So it was good for less than 10 years. I was able to renew it, using the same card with the picture that was on it. A woman at a ticket counter in a metro station put it all together for me. My husband and I will be in Paris in February and I will have him take his old one, but also a new photo just in case they don't let him reuse what he has.