Updated on 16 February 2026
Planning to criss-cross Paris by public transport? This Paris metro and bus tickets guide explains how public transport tickets work in 2026, including Navigo Easy, phone tickets, validation rules, and the most common mistakes visitors make.
- Your 3 main ways to carry tickets
- Single-ride tickets (current system)
- Airport Tickets & Passes (Important for Visitors)
- How to buy tickets
- Validation, transfers, and checks
- Paying with a bank card on buses
- What if I still have paper tickets?
- Which option should you pick?
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Plan it with Paris For You
- Sources & links
Since 5 November 2025, paper tickets are no longer sold on the metro and RER network in Île-de-France (they were phased out earlier on buses and trams). Visitors should plan to use Navigo Easy or phone tickets instead. Always check live details before you travel.
If you’re looking for easy, sightseeing-friendly routes once your ticket is sorted, Metro Line 6 (for Eiffel views) and Bus 69 (for street-level sightseeing) both work well for first-time visitors.
Your 3 main ways to carry tickets
1) Navigo Easy (recommended for visitors)
Navigo Easy is a small, anonymous plastic card you can top up with single rides or day passes. It’s ideal for occasional riders and for anyone who prefers a physical card to using their phone.
You can buy and recharge Navigo Easy at metro and RER stations, partner retailers, or from your smartphone via the Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM) app.
Key points:
- Not nominative — you can lend it to someone else (one person per ride).
- Reloadable at ticket machines or via the IDFM app on NFC-enabled phones.
2) Phone tickets (iPhone & Android)
Phone tickets let you buy, store, and validate tickets directly on your smartphone.
In the IDFM app, choose “on my phone” (or load tickets onto a compatible Navigo pass). Device compatibility varies, so it’s best to check inside the app before you travel.
Key points:
- Works for single rides and many passes.
- Validation is contactless at metro and RER gates, or on board buses and trams.
3) Navigo (weekly/monthly) for heavy users
If you plan to use public transport frequently within a single calendar week, the Navigo Semaine (Weekly) pass can be a good option.
Important to know:
- Valid strictly Monday to Sunday, regardless of when you arrive in Paris.
- Loaded onto a Navigo Découverte card (with photo and name) or a compatible phone.
- Not issued on Navigo Easy.
- Best suited for longer stays or trips that align with the Monday–Sunday calendar.
Single-ride tickets (current system)
Île-de-France Mobilités simplified occasional fares in 2025 into two main single-ride products. Names may vary slightly depending on language or app interface, but usage is consistent.
- Metro–Train–RER single ride: Valid on the metro, trains, and RER within Île-de-France (with airport-related exceptions).
- Bus–Tram single ride: Valid on buses and trams across the region, with a few network-specific exceptions.
These rides are loaded onto Navigo Easy or stored on your phone. For current product names and conditions, always check the official IDFM app.
These rides are loaded onto Navigo Easy or stored on your phone. For current product names and conditions, always check the official IDFM app.
Airport Tickets & Passes (Important for Visitors)
Travel to Orly (ORY) and Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airports is not included in standard single metro rides.
If you are going to Orly by Metro Line 14, or to CDG by RER B, you will need a specific airport ticket unless you hold:
- Navigo Weekly (all zones)
- Navigo Monthly (all zones)
- Paris Visite pass covering zones 1–5
A standard day pass does not automatically cover airport travel. Always check in the official Île-de-France Mobilités app before boarding, as airport fares are separate from regular city rides.
Read more: How to Arrive in Paris: A Guide to Airports & Transportation
How to buy tickets
On your phone (IDFM app)
- Open the Île-de-France Mobilités app and go to Purchase.
- Choose “on my phone” (store and validate with your phone) or “on my Navigo pass” (load onto a card).
- Select the ticket type (single ride, day pass, or weekly pass where applicable).
- Pay and validate by tapping your phone at the gate or validator.
On Navigo Easy (card)
Buy a Navigo Easy card at a station or partner retailer, then load rides at ticket machines, service counters, shops, or via the IDFM app (NFC).
Tip: Buy or load tickets before you reach a busy platform or bus stop — it makes boarding smoother.
Validation, transfers, and checks
- Validate every time.
- Metro/RER: tap at the gate.
- Bus/Tram: validate on boarding.
Keep your proof of payment until the end of your trip — inspections are common.
- Transfers:
- Metro-to-metro transfers inside fare control are included.
- Bus-to-bus transfers are time-limited; re-validate on each boarding and check the current window in the app.
- Important difference between Metro and RER:
- On the Paris Metro, you validate only when entering — no validation is required when exiting.
- On the RER and suburban trains, you must validate both when entering and when exiting. Always keep your proof of payment until you leave the station
- Fines:
Riding without a valid, validated ticket can result in a fine. Amounts and conditions can change.
Paying with a bank card on buses
On many Paris buses, you can now tap a contactless bank card on board to buy a single bus ride.
Important limitations:
- No transfers included.
- Intended as a backup option.
- Bank cards do not work at metro or RER gates.
What if I still have paper tickets?
Paper tickets are no longer sold. Some legacy paper tickets may still be exchangeable onto a Navigo card during a limited transition period, but this is an exception rather than a practical option for most visitors. Check current instructions on the official IDFM or RATP websites before relying on this.
Which option should you pick?
First-time visitor, a few rides per day
Navigo Easy with single rides or a day pass is simple and reliable.
You prefer using your phone
Phone tickets are the most seamless option if your device is compatible.
You’ll use transport heavily all week
A Weekly Navigo pass can make sense if your stay aligns with the Monday–Sunday validity.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming paper tickets are still sold. They aren’t.
- Forgetting to validate on buses and trams.
- Mixing up zones when planning longer RER trips.
- Buying a Weekly Navigo for a short mid-week stay.
For broader planning, see Planning a Trip to Paris: What You Should Know and Top 10 Mistakes in Paris – and How to Avoid Them on our blog.
Plan it with Paris For You
The Paris For You app helps you find routes, quizzes, and offline maps — all in 26 languages — so you can explore Paris without stress. You’ll also find themed maps such as Paris Top Insta Spots, Paris For FREE, and Paris Top 15 Must-See Places.
Paris For You app brings together must-see places, themed maps and practical tips in one app. Ideal for first-time visitors and for those who want to explore beyond the obvious.
Download on iPhone
Download on Android
Sources & links
Official sources
- Île-de-France Mobilités — 2026 fares
- Île-de-France Mobilités — Navigo Easy pass (rules & how it works)
- Île-de-France Mobilités — Metro–Train–RER single ticket (validity/conditions)
- Île-de-France Mobilités — Ticket t+ (details/conditions)
- Service-Public.fr (French government) — End of paper/cardboard tickets
