Public Transportation in Paris

I agree with you.m ,I really don't understand why they decided to go for different tickets for bus and for metro/train, a flat fee for everything would have been fine.

Still, believe it or not, the new ticketing system is simpler than the old one. It started in Jan 2025, hence why no info in guidebooks. Also, buses are less and less useful for visitors to Paris anyway - very slow, unpredictable frequencies.

Last but not least, Navigo Easy cards are also dispensed at some machines. In cardboard form IIRC, but it works.

Rather than messing about with tickets, you can just pay by phone - just download the IDF Mobilités app. I agree it's not the simplest system (would be easier if they accepted contactless credit/debit cards) but there's plenty of info on their web site.

I used the IDF mobilities app when we were in Paris the past October and it was so convenient! and fantastic! Only purchased a couple of metro tickets, and added them to my apple wallet, then just tapped and went. Took so much stress out of using the metro.
For taxi rides, I downloaded the official Parisien taxi app, G7 Taxi. It works just like Uber, so no need to worry about having enough cash on hand or whether the driver accepts credit cards. Very efficient and reasonable, especially at night or when travelling to a location that might require several metro changes.

This is a classic response to change. The big value in having separate tickets (which I agree is a pain) for bus and metro is that for only 2.50 you can now go anywhere you want in the ile de France. No more individually priced RER tickets and the chance of being fined for not having the right ticket at exit. They are keeping bus fares at a lower price hence separate tickets.

Once you have your Navigo Easy it is simple to use, stable (no demagnetized tickets and fines) and easy to reload. You also have the card and thus are not likely to throw away your ticket too soon or lose it and get heavily fined for not being able tot produce it. There are far fewer 'traps' for unwary tourists with this simple card system.

The machines in metros that reload cards are not 50 years old; the reloadable cards haven't been around all that long and I have never found one that doesn't work (not that I'm sure you didn't encounter some). They can be set to English and are pretty easy to use. Metros all have staffed booths -- and yes, if the clerk is on break they might be unstaffed for awhile but again usually someone is there.

Things are different in Paris public transport -- mostly better but there are idiosyncracies that are annoying. And it is always confusing to use a new system.

OK then, so what is the recommendation for a couple who might take metro or might take bus, but we won't plan ahead enough to know how many trips to prepurchase? Can we still buy a carnet?

You buy the Navigo easy card at a Metro station office. More often than not, someone is there, but sometimes not. You pay 2 euro for each card. Attendant will load whatever you need, say, 4 roundtrip Metro and 4 roundtrip bus/tram (8 and 8), but it doesn't have to be roundtrip. And you can reload as you need at the machines. But note, we have had issues with some machines. Once it refused my credit card whereas another machine accepted it. We had two cards and loaded each with both bus and train tickets. It takes a bit of time. Patients. But we managed. The card is good for 10 years apparently. One other hitch is not knowing what's on the card. You can place on machine in Metro to determine how many are left.

Are the Navi go cards available at CDG? We’d like to take the train into Paris then use the card on metros in Paris and to Versailles. Will that work? Thanks in advance

Strongly suggest downloading the IDF Mobilités app on your smartphone. With it you can check what’s on your Navigo card and add fares. It also lets you scan the app on your smartphone instead of using the card, although I haven’t tried that.

I didn’t have any issues using public transport two weeks ago. I bought the navigo easy card, put tickets on it and went on my way. Machines always worked when I wanted add an additional ride.
There was nothing difficult or problematic about Paris. In fact it was quite easy to use their ticketing system.

the person with the issue posted in April, only here, and only the once. They may not still be taking notes.

These issues have been discussed frequently

Also, buses are less and less useful for visitors to Paris anyway -
very slow, unpredictable frequencies.

I couldn't disagree more. Buses are a great way to get around for tourists. Number one, they let you actually see the city rather than tunneling underground to the urine-soaked Metro. Two, there are no or at least fewer stairs, and three, you are on vacation! Why would you feel the need to go the fastest possible route everywhere? Take some time to actually see and enjoy the city. I would argue they make less sense for the locals if they have to go any significant distance. They are also less prone to picket-pockets. I find them very predictable and they certainly go faster than an Ûber (the busses and taxis can use the special lanes that Ûber cars can't). Busses are my number one preferred method of transit while vacationing in Paris.

PharmerPhil: Yes!

And even better, they (buses) are cheaper. "Un sou est un sou," after all.

I just wish one didn't have to plan in advance for how many bus tickets to buy vs how many metro tickets. Seems like the system is designed to make one overbook, or risk being without the correct ticket at that crucial moment you see a bus you want to grab.

We are talking nickles and dimes here. So you end up with an extra bus ticket?

I know this thread began back in April, but I just wanted to add that back in 1974, on my first trip to Paris, I kept a metro ticket (the paper kind, of course!) when I returned to the states. DH told me that if you have a metro ticket, you will always return to Paris. And I did, several times! Alas, I lost it about 20 years ago, but the good fortune stayed with me, as I have still returned to Paris, even without my good luck charm. Happy thoughts!

apparently ND cards are no longer available at CDG (an obvious hose the tourist move). but you can reload the ones you have on the machines apparently. Since you can also create virtual phone cards that might be a way to manage that if you don't already have a card.

There are no 'round trip tickets'. you always book individual tickets on trains or local transport. There are no carnet discounts.

I had almost two dozen paper Metro tickets left over from previous trips....all valid , obviously. With the exception of a few, they worked in the stations going through the turnstile, used them up prior to getting the Navigo plastic card a from a machine, never at a staffed counter., which not necessary. Purchasing the Navigo card from a machine is good enough.

Of course , I used these paper tickets on buses as well as the metro trains , no problems. If the bus machine rejected my inserted paper ticket, yes, it happened a few times, then it's time to pull out another one, isn't it.?

I used the plastic Navigo card on this summer's trip , loaded up to beyond 29 Euro on buses too....no problems. As long there was still money on the plastic Navigo card (I made sure that was the case), that plastic card worked....period. You can always the balance (Guthaben) on that card or carry a reserve card.

I had no problems working the ticket machine, if the contactless function rejected 3 of my cc, , (I had that experience too) which is impossible anyway, I went over another machine. Nothing wrong with my 3 cc but it was that particular machine that was defective.

In a way, traveling on the Metro and the buses using the plastic Navigo card is much easier than using paper Metro tickets. My cards are already loaded up for next summer's trip to Paris.

I had no problems tackling the Navigo machine, instructions are indicated in several languages, very clear. I don't use apps in France.

I agree with the above that the public transportation in Paris is easier to deal with, more streamlined. If a counter has nobody manning it, so what, go to another one and wait.

just a quibble to clarify -- you don't load money on the cards -- the Navigo Easy card -- you load tickets. 2 euro for bus and 2.50 for train. they are not interchangeable. And they are good indefinitely so keep for the next rrip. If the card doesn't work it may be defective -- Easy cards are not as stable as ND cards -- the clerk will check it and replace it if it is defective.

I’m here now, and it could not be easier.
The system changed in January, so not in any newer guidebooks.
Buy your Navigo Easy cards at manned stations…not all are…load on the bus and or metro tickets….off you go.
You can check how many are left on them at metro station ticket machines and print the list so you won’t forget.
Put your hand on the slot as it prints or the list will pop out and blow away.
To and from the airport, the N E card needs to be empty to load on a ticket .

Re wifi, data etc…..there are many different cards to buy to obtain it.
I bought an Orange 30gb tourist simcard online at home.
My phone doesn’t support esims.
It activated on landing in Zurich, and has been fine and very reliable here in France.
A little research helps before a trip.

And yes, the OP never came back…perhaps still down in the Metro somewhere……

Just a correction to above post. You don’t need a manned station to buy a Navigo Easy Card. They are available in the ticket machines.

I use the IDF Mobilités app, but sometimes it will not show the option to buy Metro tickets and only allows tickets to purchase for the bus/tram or Roissy ticket. I then uninstall the IDF Mobilités app and install it, again. Pain, but it works.

Thanks for the correction Carol.
My friend gave me her leftover ones, so I didn’t need to buy the actual N E pass, just the tickets.

There is a sign at the CDG ticket machines saying you can no longer buy a Navigo Decouverte weekly pass there.
You can reload an old one though…if it’s less than ten years old.

Not to belabor this too much... but can someone please identify exactly where the ticket machines ARE in CDG airport? I have been unsuccessful in pinning them down in maps.

Specifically, are there machines in each terminal? I am arriving at Terminal 2 (E, I think); my husband 2 days later at Terminal 1. I think he can take Roissybus from Terminal 1 simply by jumping on bus and paying bus driver with credit card, rather than long trek to Terminal 2-Whatever, in an exhausted state. After the presumably relaxing bus ride and avoiding the confusing RER hubs, he can then descend into the Metro in Paris (Opera), get and load a Navigo Easy card there, and continue on his way.

But if there IS a (functioning) machine right in Terminal 1, I would counsel him to get it there.

For me, I just will figure it out when I get there. But he is a bit anxious about arrivals...

Thanks!

I wonder if someone can advise exactly WHERE in CDG the ticket machines for Navigo Easy cards are. Are they in each terminal? I can't tell from maps.

Here's why I ask: I am arriving at Terminal 2E; my husband at Terminal 1, 2 days later, and he is anxious about arrivals, particularly in exhausted state (after much longer journey than mine). Naturally, I encourage him to use the excellent public transportation!

I surmise that it might be easiest for him to jump on Roissybus right there and pay on board with credit card, rather than trek back to huge and sprawling Terminal 2. By taking bus he can avoid the busy and confusing RER hubs. Then when he gets off at Opera, descend into Metro station to continue journey, presumably being able to get and load the card there. Worst case, get a taxi from there if just too befuddled at that point. It'll be close to 8 pm on a Friday (and dark) at that point, too.

BUT if a functioning ticket machine is available at Terminal 1, I would counsel him to purchase the card/rides there, rather than waiting.

Thanks!

ND question: where can I buy a ND card on this path of travel?

CDG RER B to Saint Michel Norte Dame. Transfer to RER C. Exit at Pont d’Alma to hotel in 7e.

Is Gare du Nord the place to purchase?

If we end up taking a taxi instead wherein 7e can I buy ND?

If you do a google search for where to buy a Navigo easy pass at cds there are some great YouTube videos from a variety of people that walk you through the whole process, and show you where the machines are etc.

Our target is Decouverte card, not NEasy.

Aha, it does look to me (based on one of those useful sites, “Parisbytrain.com/airport-to-terminal-1/“) that Terminal 1 does NOT have SNCF machines (and no direct access to trains), necessitating travel to other terminal for all the RER options via the shuttle train “CDGVAL”.
The site has nice photos and is dated September 14, 2025.

Thanks for that suggestion.

I use the Navigo Easy card, loaded it up at purchase, when that balance ran out , went back to the machine to check its balance (Guthaben) and paid more to reload.

Bottom line: I have 3 Nav. Easy cards all loaded up with 20 to 30 Euro (the exact amt. doesn't matter) for the next Paris stay in the summer of 2026

One can go to a Navigo Easy machine just to check the remaining balance on NE card