Navigo vs Carnet

It depends on how much you will use the train during the Tuesday through Sunday time frame. The Navigo costs 5 Euro to get initially. It is for a week, ending Midnight Sunday (Sunday night). Look at the cost and see if you will really use it that much. It is per person.

The good thing about the carnet is that you can share it. With casual use, and lots of walking, I usually use the carnet, especially when I am in a group. We usually buy one or 2 carnet, 10 tickets per carnet, use them up, then buy another one.

I have used the Navigo when I am by myself and go further afield in Paris. I will use it again this fall, supplemented with the carnet, as I arrive towards the end of the week, and leave mid-week, so it is not worth it to re-charge the Navigo if I leave on a Thursday.

Many times, I will walk one direction and take the train/bus when returning. Other days, for instance if going to the Pierre Lachaise cemetery, I would use the train both directions, as it is a bit further out.

It also depends on where you are staying. If you can walk to many sites to see, you may not use transit enough to pay for a Navigo pass. Walking is the best way to see everything, people watch and walk off all the cheese, pastries, and chocolate you might partake in.

Enjoy Paris.

June

If I use the carnet, how much extra would it be when we go to Versailles and Fountainebleau and to our apartment, near Rue Cler, from the airport? Do I understand right that these won't be covered by the carnet tickets?

Everything June said is correct. But since you're going to both Versailles and Fontainebleau, that leans you in favor of getting the Navigo, since it will cover both those trips, while tickets from a regular carnet won't.

For your last Monday and Tuesday, you can buy single tickets if you're just taking 1-2 rides, or buy a carnet if you are taking more rides, and/or if you plan to return to Paris (they don't expire), and/or have a friend going to Paris you can give them to.

I was cross posting with your latest question. If you have a carnet of standard Metro and bus tickets, these cannot be used at all for the airports, Versailles, or Fontainebleau. For each of these trips, you have to buy specific tickets beforehand; if you try to use your regular carnet tickets for these trips, you will not be able to exit the turnstiles and are liable for a fine for traveling without the correct ticket. Unlike some other places, in Paris you cannot pay extra at the end of your journey if you went further than your ticket allows.

Another argument for the Navigo (if your expected usage makes it a close call): They make it really easy to use the buses, and the buses are wonderful.

As others have said the carnet cannot be used for travel on the RER to CDG or Versailles or the train to Fontainebleu. The train to Paris from CDG is 10 euros and roundtrips to Versailles and Fontainebleu will cost you around 24 euros. If you make those trips before the pass expires, it will be the cheaper option for sure at 27.15 euros. I like the pass even when it is not the cheaper option for the convenience that Adam mentions.

There is no question that the Navigo Découverte will be a better deal for you, especially since you plan to travel to Versailles and Fontainebleau. As long as you plan your trips during the duration of the Navigo ( Monday-- Sunday)

• RER train to Versailles will cost € 3.55 per person, each way = € 7.10 round trip
• train to Fontainebleau will cost € 8.55pp, each way = € 17.10 round trip
• RER train from CDG will cost € 10 pp each way

If you add all the above, the total is € 34.20. The Navigo Découverte will cost you, € 27.15 (€22.15 + €5 fee for card) per person.

Here are some helpful websites you may need:

• http://parisbytrain.com/paris-train-metro-week-pass-navigo-decouverte/

• http://parisbytrain.com/paris-to-fontainebleau-by-train/

• http://parisbytrain.com/paris-to-chateau-versailles-by-train/

Bottom Line... You can use the Navigo Découverte pass to travel all over Paris (zones 1-5), via Metro, bus & RER!

One can use the Navigo Découverte pass to travel to Versailles & Fontainebleau too! ;-)

Have a wonderful trip!

If you had 4 days to use the Navigo, it'd be a toss-up. You have 6. Plan to visit sights in walking distance on your last full day - Monday, after the Navigo expires. Buy individual tickets if you need them.

Thank you all so much! We are getting ready to leave for the airport. Wish us luck! This site has been a fantastic help in the planning!

Get the navigo pass , it should pay for itself by the weekend , no fuss just scan the card to get on the busses , trains and subways . Good for zones 1-5 . You will be surprised how many tickets you will buy doing the carnet .

Have a fabulous trip!

Are you there yet? Are you there yet?

Enjoy every minute!

No! We are stranded in Omaha, NE. Bad storms in Chicago so our flights were canceled. Try again today. So sad!

Oh no! Sorry to hear that your flight was cancelled.
Hopefully the weather improved & you are on your way!

We are in DC now. Next stop Paris! We just might make it yet, just one day late.