Navigo questions

1. I would assume they want a neutral background, but I really don't know how picky they are. You could also just photocopy your passport photo, using the reduction function to get it to the right size, 25 mm by 30 mm (1" by 1 1/4"). You could also take a selfie on a neutral background and print it to the proper size.
2. I know you can get it at the airport TGV station, but if you don't want to waste time there when you arrive, you can get it at any manned ticket booth at a Metro station, or the ticket booth at Luxembourg RER station.

1. Any image that looks like you will suffice. You must also print your name in the space provided to validate the card.

2. ND cards are sold at any RER or métro station. You purchase the card at the kiosk and take the receipt to the agent who will give you the card kit and generally help you assemble it. At sales counters, you may purchase the card directly from the agent.

You can buy the Navigo passes at machines in the Metro or airport, bring the receipts to the info window where they hand you the kits. You can then assemble them and charge them up in the machine. Pass is good 12am Monday morning to midnight the following Sunday. $5 for card and $22.80 to load. Card can be loaded at any RATP sales office. Try the tourist office in the Airport for the purchase of the Navigo card. Their website is www.en.visitparisregion.com
If you can't locate anything or the TI is closed and you don't wish to go to the train or RER section of the airport, just go to the closest Metro or RER (perhaps one of the larger manned stations) or Train station closest to your accommodations and pick one up there. We have done our own photos for our upcoming trip with a neutral background. From my research, I have found the photo isn't as strict as say a passport photo, it just needs to be a clean, face shot identifiable as you. If you want to check out this website, it has quite a bit of info on the Navigo pass. www.parisbytrain.com

I just photocopied our drivers license pictures, cut them out and brought them on our trip. The size worked fine for the Navigo cards. Know that no one ever checked the exact measurements.

Just returned from 10 wonderful days in Paris. We got the Navigo cards the Sunday after we arrived at the Metro station nearest our hotel. I used a copy of my driver's license photo for the required picture. It was just slightly too big all around but the nice man at the Metro cut it down for me and assembled my pass. Considered it money well spent as we used them well beyond their initial monetary value!

Navigo are good for one week starting on Monday right after midnight. For a 4 day trip I would not recommend it. I would buy the 10ticket carnet and use them up, then buy another carnet until you leave.

I agree with idea that even if it ends up costing you a couple euros more, the Navigo is worth it for the convenience. You don't have to fumble around for unused tickets, or keep the currently in-use tickets separate (for exiting) from the new ones and the already used ones. Also, in many stations there are separate turnstiles for passes and they are faster. Also you can hop on a bus for a stop or two without considering whether it's worth the cost. Sometimes it's nice just to give your feet a break. AT the end you're left with a souvenir - and you can always use it on your next visit.

You can buy the pass and load the coming week on Sunday. AFAIK you will need to find a metro station with an agent on duty. If there's none at the nearest metro station, Gare Montparnasse would be my guess for the best chance. The RER at CDG sells them, but you may not want to trudge through the airport to get there and then back to the taxi stand.

Thank you everyone for your replies. I will bring pictures for my daughter and I and recommend to the other 2 in our group they do the same. I'll plan on getting our Navigo cards on Monday morning before we head our for our day of sightseeing.

To confirm, one can buy the weekly Navigo pass (bringing photo) at CDG and it will be good on the RER from CDG to Luxembourg RER station?

You are correct, it will be valid.

Thanks Sam.