I asked this in the General Europe two along with a purchase in another country. Wasn't sure which place would be best, so I apologize to those of you who recognize this quesiton :)
Is it better to purchase the Navigo Pass and/or Museum Pass in advance, or when we arrive?
TIA
Upon arrival.
As usual--do NOT forget to bring your pic for the Navijo.
Navigo Découverte cards may not be purchased in advance.
Yesterday we went to the Louvre because it was a train strike day and so we postponed going to Meaux for the WWI museum. It was a rainy day usually a day the museums tend to crowd up. We walked through the security at the Carrousel with no line at all. In the ticket room we waited for about 5 minutes and bought tickets from a clerk; there are 8 or 10 ticket machines in the room and 8 manned windows. We could have bought a museum pass right there without paying extra for shipping or worrying about getting it in time. You can also buy them at the airport tourist booth on arrival.
The ND can only be purchased from a local train station; you can get them in the metro which we did this year as our old ones had expired or at an RER station at the airport or elsewhere. Be sure you have assembled them and printed your name and affixed your picture before use.
We have had our passes checked twice in random checks on the metro since we got here.
I once bought the museum pass at the TI kiosk at the airport. Once I bought it at a TI desk in one of the main department stores - either Printemps or Galleries Lafayette (they are across the street from each other so it could have been either one). There are other stores where you can buy it as well as several TI kiosks in the city, including one in the Notre Dame plaza. You can also find a list of sales points on the official website. While you can buy them at most of the sights included in the pass, the most popular ones are likely to have lines and some of the smaller ones may not have them on hand.
Be sure to have photos of the correct size for the navigo passes.
We bought our Museum Passes at the tabac (tobacco and souvenir shop) across from Sainte Chapelle. It took no time at all and I didn't have to remember to pack them.
Yes, don't forget your photos, and they need to be the correct size. (That size is listed somewhere on the internet.) But you don't need a special photo. You can shrink your passport or drivers license down some on a copier and just print on regular paper. Black & white is fine.
Cheaper to purchase the Paris Museum Pass in Paris. As stated you can pick it up at the tourist info at CDG, I have seen them just outside the secured zone after picking up your luggage. They are also available at the major Train Stations as well as at museums & sites. The Cluny seems to be a good place to get one, less people in line to enter.
Locations at CDG: http://en.parismuseumpass.com/rub-t-points-of-sale-3.htm?cat=6&type=3
Locations at Orly: http://en.parismuseumpass.com/rub-t-points-of-sale-3.htm?cat=6&type=43
The Navigo Decourvente can be purchased at the CDG RER/Metro Train Station or at most RER/Metro stops that have attendants.
Here is a link with info on the ND: https://parisbytrain.com/paris-train-metro-week-pass-navigo-decouverte/
Enjoy your trip.
You don't say when you're going, but the Cluny is closed until mid-July.
Buy them when you get there. Museum Pass at your 1st stop (check out the list online beforehand to decide where you want to start...smaller sites will be quicker but we got ours st the Arc de Triomphe and had no problems). Navigo at CDG or 1st metro stop you use. Bring a passport sized photo with you or use the photo booths in the stations (5€ for 4 photos). Super easy for both!
FWIW. The photos for the ND are much smaller than passport photos. You can shrink them on a copier or copy your driver's license,or just crop to size -- which is 25/30 mm
