We are planning to buy the Navigo weekly pass/card. I keep reading that we will need to provide small pictures. Does anyone know how the pictures are attached (e.g., does the salesperson attach the pictures or do we need to take tape)? Thanks!
Posted by
Chicago
8098 posts
sometimes the sales person will assemble the card, but usually not and if there is a line not; then they just hand you the kit already charged up for the week and you put it together. The picture needs to be about 25/30 mm head shot which you can just print off on your computer. We usually have an envelope of head shots when we travel internationally as there are occasional passes that need them and it saves money and hassle.
Last time I did this, there was a spot on the card that was sticky that you stuck the picture on and then you folded a piece of gummed plastic over the front of the card and the picture so it was sort of laminated. This card is then stuck in the plastic case and you use the whole thing i.e. you wave the plastic case over the sensitive spot on the metro stile to validate each trip (the validation is recorded; if you get stopped to be checked and have not validated they can tell and there is a fine (it is quite low compared to not having a ticket validated since you have paid for the week, but there is still a small fine for not validating)
In any case, you don't need to bring supplies to put the card together if the head shot is more or less the right size. You stick the picture on, print your name, seal the card, slide it in the case.
Posted by
OP
seattle
2048 posts
Thanks si much for the great explanation!
Posted by
California 🦋
5232 posts
Becky,
My daughter & I purchased the Navigo Decouverte Pass last month when we were in Paris, as recommended by Janet (first post on this thread) & it was one of the best investments we made in Paris. Thanks Janet once again!
When I purchased our passes, the woman behind the counter put the passes together for us, but it looked very simple.
The photos we used were printed copies of our passport photos. I just scanned our passports to my desktop, then reduced the size (70 or 75%, in order to get the photo size to 2.5cm x 3 cm) before printing them.
No one ever checked our passes, & it was great to not have to worry about running out of Metro/bus tickets.
Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
60 posts
Just make copies of the photo pages of your passports and then cut them down and put them in an envelope so you have them when you need them. I wish I could tell you exactly what size, but I would say just cut about an eighth of an inch off each side and you should be good.
When you buy your card, it comes with a plastic case and the card itself with the chip, and then another for the photo and your name. There is an adhesive to attach the photo.
With four of us it would have been awkward to affix the photos in the station so we waited, but we were stopped randomly as we exited a station shortly thereafter to verify the validity of our pass. We just explained that we had not had the chance to affix yet and we showed the photos and we were left off with a warning. Otherwise, would have been a $35 fine (x4).
We got our on Wednesday morning and we will surely make out over the carnet price by the time we leave on Sunday, plus you get the convenience of not having to fuss with buying tickets/carnets, which is a big, big plus.
Posted by
Green Bay
20254 posts
Just make copies of the photo pages of your passports and then cut them down and put them in an envelope so you have them when you need them. I wish I could tell you exactly what size, but I would say just cut about an eighth of an inch off each side and you should be good.
No, there is a standard, which Janet explained. 25 mm by 30 mm, otherwise known as 1 in. by 1 1/4 in. You could photocopy your passport photo at reduced size to get it right. I use a selfie, with the printer size reducing function to get the size right.