Paris transportation

I just read almost the entire Navigo site. I saw nothing about a cut-off for the monthly pass and nothing about the 4th of the month.

Yes, I tried to find it on their website, too. Hopefully,someone will know through experience. Thanks for trying, Chani.

I think I found it. Here's the URL: http://www.ratp.fr/fr/ratp/c_21137/forfaits-navigo-mois-et-semaine/. Then, I expanded the following: "Quand et où acheter votre forfait ? La vente des forfaits mois est ouverte dés le 20 du mois précédent le mois de validité, jusqu'au 19 du mois de validité. Celle des forfaits semaine est ouverte du vendredi précédant la semaine de validité, jusqu'au jeudi inclus de la semaine de validité." Google Translate gives this as: "When and where to buy your package?
The sale is open packages month dice the 20th of the month preceding the month of validity until 19 months validity. This week packages is open Friday before the week of validity until Thursday included the week of validity." In other words, the monthly pass should be on sale from the 20th of the preceding month through the 19th of the covered month, so your arrival date of the 4th should be fine. And the weekly pass (valid Monday through Sunday) is on sale from the Friday before the covered week through the Thursday of the covered week.

I would venture a guess that the pass would not be on sale from a day or two after it becomes uneconomical. It looks like the price is less than 3 times the price of a weekly pass, so expect it to be on sale at least until the 10th.

Yes, have the photos with you so you don't have to run around getting some made. However, note that the size is significantly smaller than passport. I used a copier to reduce a passport photo to the requirement. You will have to buy the passes, then assemble them, then return to load them with the monthly passes.

The best travel bargain in Paris! A couple of reminders: Have a passport-size photo with you-sometimes the photo booths in the stations don't work. Ask for a "Navigo Decouverte" not a "Passe Navigo" - they are two different things. (There is a E5.00 charge for the initial one). Know how many zones you want it for. The normal is two zones but I have helped Americans who have become agitated at the RATP person in the booth who is simply asking them "monthly" or "weekly" or the number of zones they need. Then the posts start flying about "the rude French". Therefore: dit "Navigo Decouverte, s'il vous plait. Un mois (or "une semaine"), deux zones" (pidgin French, I know but...) and, voila, that should take care of things!

>You will have to buy the passes, then assemble them, then return to load them with the monthly passes.< I guess it depends on the station, but my experience at Gare de l'Est was different. I was able to buy the whole shebang (Navigo Decouverte picture card, stored value card loaded with a 1 week pass, and plastic holder) in one transaction, but since there were 15 people waiting behind me, the seller did not have time to help me put everything together (she just handed the pieces to me). It was only a day later that I realized I had not assembled it "correctly," with the number showing through the cutout window.

I guess it depends on the agent. I was told I had to put it together before I could load it. Yes, you have to follow the directions very carefully and once you click the plastic into place, there's no turning back.