If you’re planning a trip to Paris and trying to figure out how to get around without spending a fortune on individual tickets, the Navigo pass is almost certainly the answer. But one question comes up again and again: what exactly does it cover? The short answer is — a lot more than most people expect. Let’s break it down properly.
First, a Quick Word on the Different Navigo Options
Before diving into which transport modes are included, it’s worth knowing that “Navigo” isn’t just one product. There are several versions:
- Navigo Mois (Monthly Pass) — covers unlimited travel for a full calendar month
- Navigo Semaine (Weekly Pass) — runs Monday to Sunday, not 7 rolling days
- Navigo Jour (Day Pass) — a great option for visitors staying just a few days
- Navigo Easy — a rechargeable card where you load specific tickets or carnets, rather than a flat-rate pass
For tourists, the Navigo Jour or Navigo Semaine are usually the most practical. Since 2023, the weekly and monthly passes cover all zones (1 to 5), which massively expanded the geographic reach — including the airports. More on that shortly.
The Paris Metro
Yes, the entire metro network is included. All 16 lines, all stations, no restrictions. Whether you’re hopping between Châtelet and Saint-Germain-des-Prés or riding Line 13 all the way out to the suburbs, your Navigo pass handles it. The metro is the backbone of Parisian transport, and for most visitors it’ll be the mode they use most.
One thing worth knowing: the metro doesn’t extend to the airports. For that, you’ll need the RER — which brings us to the next section.
The RER (Réseau Express Régional)
This is where a lot of first-timers get confused, and honestly it’s one of the most important things to understand. The RER is a network of suburban express trains — faster than the metro, covering much longer distances, and very useful for visitors.
There are five RER lines (A, B, C, D, E), and all of them are included with a Navigo pass — including the sections that go beyond central Paris into the suburbs and out to major destinations like:
- CDG Airport (Roissy) — RER B, roughly 35–40 minutes from central Paris
- Orly Airport — RER B to Antony, then Orlyval shuttle (note: the Orlyval portion requires a separate ticket unless covered by your pass zone)
- Versailles — reachable via RER C
- Disneyland Paris — RER A to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy
This alone makes the Navigo pass exceptional value for visitors. A single train ticket to CDG from Paris can cost around €11–12 on its own — that’s a significant chunk of what a day pass costs.
Buses — Including Night Buses
Every regular RATP bus line in Paris and the inner suburbs is covered. That’s hundreds of routes, serving areas the metro simply doesn’t reach. Buses are particularly handy for getting around Montmartre, navigating the Left Bank, or heading somewhere the metro doesn’t conveniently serve.
The Noctilien — Paris’s night bus network — is also included. These buses run from roughly 12:30am to 5:30am when the metro is closed. If you’re out late and don’t want to pay for a taxi, the Noctilien is your friend, and your Navigo covers it.
Trams
Paris has a growing tram network — currently around nine lines (T1 through T9, with some variations), mostly running along the outer ring of the city and into the near suburbs. These are included with the Navigo pass.
Most tourists don’t use the trams much, but they can be surprisingly useful. The T3a and T3b lines, for example, run along the southern and eastern outer boulevards and are a pleasant way to get around without going underground. If your accommodation is near a tram line, it’s worth knowing it’s already covered.
Transilien — Suburban Rail
Transilien is the suburban rail network operated by SNCF (France’s national rail company), covering the greater Île-de-France region. Think of it as the regional equivalent of the RER but serving different corridors.
Lines H, J, K, L, N, P, R, and U are all part of this network, and they’re all included in the all-zone Navigo pass. For most tourists sticking to Paris and its immediate attractions, you may never use Transilien — but if you’re venturing to places like Fontainebleau, Chantilly, or smaller towns in the region, it’s very handy.
The Orlybus and Roissybus
These are dedicated airport bus services, and yes, they’re covered by the Navigo pass:
- Roissybus — connects central Paris (Opéra) to CDG Airport
- Orlybus — connects central Paris (Denfert-Rochereau) to Orly Airport
Both are slower than the train but drop you closer to the terminal buildings and can be more convenient depending on where you’re staying. Knowing these are included means you’ve got flexible options for airport transfers without any extra cost.
What’s NOT Covered by the Navigo Pass?
It’s just as useful to know what falls outside the coverage. A few things to be aware of:
- Eurostar and intercity trains — the Navigo only covers Île-de-France regional transport, not long-distance SNCF services
- Beauvais Airport — this airport, used by some budget airlines, is not served by any Navigo-covered transport
- Vélib’ bike sharing — Paris’s popular bike share scheme has its own separate subscription
- Certain tourist services — hop-on hop-off buses and similar tourist-specific services are not included
- Orlyval alone — the automated train connecting Orly Airport to the RER B at Antony is technically a separate service; it’s included when your Navigo covers all zones, but worth double-checking
A Note on Zones — Why It Now Matters Less Than It Used To
For years, the Navigo pass was sold by zone, and visitors often ended up buying the wrong one. Since January 2023, the weekly and monthly passes have covered all zones (1–5) at a flat price. This was a major simplification, and it’s great news for tourists — you no longer need to think about which zone your destination falls in.
The Navigo Jour day pass also covers all zones, making it a genuinely useful option if you’re only in Paris for a couple of days and want airport transfers included.
How to Get a Navigo Pass as a Tourist
You can pick up a Navigo Easy card (the rechargeable version) at any metro station ticket machine — no ID or photo needed. For the weekly or monthly pass, you’ll need a physical Navigo card, a passport photo, and to visit a staffed ticket office or designated machine. Some visitors find it easier to buy a Paris Visite pass instead, though the Navigo generally offers better value for anyone staying more than a couple of days.