If you last visited Paris before 2025, forget almost everything you know about buying metro tickets. The paper ticket is dead. The old “carnet” of 10 is gone. The RoissyBus no longer runs. And as of 2026, you cannot tap a credit card at a metro turnstile.
This guide cuts through the outdated advice still ranking on Google. You’ll learn exactly which Navigo pass works for a short stay, how to buy it in under two minutes, and—just as important—which passes look convenient but are a genuine waste of money for most travelers.
Prices and rules below are accurate as of May 2026.
What Changed in 2026 (Read This First)
The Paris metro system underwent its biggest operational shift in decades. If you rely on old blog posts or YouTube videos from 2024, you will likely show up at a turnstile with a ticket that no longer works.
Paper tickets are officially gone
Magnetic paper tickets stopped working on buses in May 2026 and will cease functioning on the entire rail network (metro, RER, and Transilien) by June 2026. There is no exception. You now need either a Navigo Easy card or the official Bonjour RATP / Île-de-France Mobilités smartphone app.
The “carnet” discount no longer exists
The popular “carnet” of 10 tickets was discontinued in 2025. You can no longer buy tickets in bulk for a discounted rate. You pay per ride (€2.55 metro / €2.05 bus) or choose a daily or weekly pass.
Metro and bus tickets are now completely separate (crucial change)
This is the most common point of confusion in 2026. The old “Ticket t+” that worked on both metro and buses is gone. Today you have two distinct tickets:
- Metro-Train-RER ticket (€2.55): Valid only on the rail network (metro, RER, Transilien).
- Bus-Tram ticket (€2.05): Valid only on buses and trams.
If your trip requires transferring from metro to bus, you must buy and validate two separate tickets. The €2.55 metro ticket will not work on a bus validator, and vice versa.
RoissyBus is permanently discontinued
The direct bus between Opéra and Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) stopped running on March 1, 2026. Any website still recommending it is publishing outdated information. Use RER B or Metro Line 14 instead.
Contactless bank cards work on buses—not yet on metro
Throughout 2026, Paris is rolling out the ability to tap your Visa or Mastercard directly on buses. However, as of mid-2026, you still cannot tap a bank card at metro turnstiles. You must use a Navigo Easy card or your phone.
The Only Navigo Passes That Make Sense for a Few Days in Paris
For a short stay (2–5 days), you have three real options. The right choice depends entirely on which day you arrive and how many trips you actually take—not on what looks easiest.
1. Navigo Easy + single tickets — best for most tourists
The average visitor takes 3 to 4 metro rides per day, or roughly €8–€10 daily on the metro. That is significantly less than any day pass. The Navigo Easy card itself costs a one-time €2 (non-refundable), and you load only the tickets you need.
Important: If your itinerary mixes metro and bus (e.g., metro to Montmartre, then bus to Gare du Nord), you will need to load both ticket types: €2.55 metro tickets and €2.05 bus-tram tickets. The machine lets you choose which one to add.
Best for: Most 3–5 day trips, irregular travel days, families with children under 10 (reduced €1.30 metro fare / €1.05 bus fare), and anyone who does not plan to ride more than 5 times in a single day.
2. Navigo Semaine (Weekly pass — €32.40) — the best deal if you arrive Monday–Wednesday
The Navigo Semaine is not a “7-day pass.” It runs strictly from Monday at 12:01 AM to Sunday at 11:59 PM. If you arrive on a Thursday, this pass is likely a bad deal because you pay for days you cannot fully use. However, if you land on Monday or Tuesday and plan to ride 5+ times daily (including trips to Versailles or Disneyland), this becomes the most cost-effective option in the entire system. It includes unlimited metro, RER, bus, and tram access across all zones, including CDG and Orly airports.
Best for: Travelers arriving Monday–Wednesday who will use transit heavily (5+ rides/day) and need to reach airports, Versailles, or Disneyland.
3. Paris Visite (1–5 day pass — €30.60 to €78.00) — rarely worth it
The Paris Visite pass is the only multi-day pass that runs on consecutive calendar days (not fixed Monday–Sunday). On paper, that sounds perfect for tourists. In practice, it is priced so high that you need to ride an unrealistic amount to break even. A 3-day Paris Visite costs €63.80. The same 3 days using single tickets on a Navigo Easy card would cost roughly €25–€35 for a normal sightseeing schedule. The only scenario where Paris Visite makes sense is if you need airport access (CDG/Orly) and you will take more than 10 metro rides per day—which almost no tourist actually does.
2026 pricing update: The 5-day Paris Visite pass increased to €78.00 on January 1, 2026 (up from €76.25 in 2025). The 1-day pass is now €30.60.
Best for: Almost no one. Only consider it if you want absolute simplicity and do not care about paying 2–3x more than necessary.
Quick comparison table
| Pass | Price (adult) | Duration | Covers both metro & bus? | Good for short stay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navigo Easy + single metro tickets (€2.55 each) + single bus tickets (€2.05 each) if needed | €2 card + tickets as needed | Per ride (metro: 2h / bus: 90 min) | No — separate tickets required for transfers | ✅ Yes — most cost-effective |
| Navigo Semaine (Week) | €32.40 | Mon–Sun fixed | Yes — unlimited both | ✅ Only if arriving Mon–Wed |
| Paris Visite (3-day) | €63.80 | 3 consecutive days | Yes | ❌ Rarely worth the price |
| Navigo Jour (Day) | €12.30 | 1 calendar day until midnight | Yes | ⚠️ Only if 5+ rides that day |
Note on bus-metro transfers: With single tickets, a journey that requires switching from metro to bus requires two separate tickets (€2.55 + €2.05 = €4.60 total). Day passes like Navigo Jour or Navigo Semaine include unlimited transfers across both networks with a single validation.
Step-by-Step: How to Buy a Navigo Pass for a Few Days (2026)
The process is now simpler than the old paper ticket system—but only if you know exactly which buttons to press at the machine.
Step 1: Get a Navigo Easy card (the physical card)
Go to any metro station and look for the green-and-purple ticket machines. Select English (it is one of the first options). Choose “Buy a Navigo Easy card”. The card costs €2 and is non-refundable. It is a thin, reusable contactless card—similar to a debit card but for transit. You will tap it at every turnstile.
Alternative: You can skip the physical card entirely by downloading the Bonjour RATP or Île-de-France Mobilités app. If your phone has NFC (iPhone or most recent Android), you can buy and load tickets directly onto your phone. Your phone becomes the pass. This works identically to the physical card.
Step 2: Load tickets or a pass at the same machine
With your new Navigo Easy card placed on the reader, choose what to load. Pay attention to the ticket type:
- Metro-Train-RER tickets (€2.55 each) – for metro, RER, and suburban trains. Valid 2 hours.
- Bus-Tram tickets (€2.05 each) – for buses and trams only. Valid 90 minutes.
- Navigo Jour (€12.30) – day pass covering both networks.
- Paris Visite (1–5 days) – only if you have done the math and it somehow works for your itinerary.
For the weekly Navigo Semaine, you generally load it at the machine as well, but note that it only activates on Monday. If you buy it on Wednesday, you pay the full €32.40 for just Wednesday–Sunday.
Step 3: Pay and tap
The machines accept Visa and Mastercard (including contactless tap-to-pay). American Express is not accepted at most machines. After payment, tap your Navigo Easy card on the yellow validator at the turnstile. You will hear a green beep and see “VALID” on the screen. Keep your card accessible for the entire journey—inspectors board trains randomly, and the fine for riding without a valid ticket is €50 on the spot (€75 if you cannot pay immediately).
Step 4 (if mixing metro and bus): Validate a separate bus ticket
If you exit the metro and board a bus, you must tap your Navigo Easy card again on the bus validator. The system will deduct a new bus ticket (€2.05) from your card. The metro ticket you used earlier does not transfer to the bus network. This is the most common mistake in 2026—don’t assume a single €2.55 ticket covers both.
Airport Transfers in 2026: CDG and Orly
Getting from Paris airports to the city center changed more than any other part of the transit system. Ignore advice written before 2026.
From Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
RER B train – €14 – recommended for most travelers. The RER B runs directly from CDG to central Paris. Key stops: Gare du Nord (25 minutes), Châtelet–Les Halles (28 minutes), Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame (30 minutes). Trains run every 10–15 minutes from roughly 5:00 AM to 11:30 PM. You buy the special Paris Region ↔ Airports ticket (€14) at the machines in the terminal and load it onto your Navigo Easy card. Follow signs to RER B.
The RoissyBus is gone. Permanently discontinued on March 1, 2026. Do not look for it.
Taxi fixed fares (for reference): CDG → Right Bank (1st–10th arr.): €55 flat. CDG → Left Bank (5th–7th arr.): €62 flat.
From Orly Airport
Metro Line 14 – €14 – now the best option. Since the Line 14 extension to Orly opened, this is a direct metro ride from Orly to Châtelet in about 25 minutes. No more Orlyval shuttle hassle. A single seamless ride.
Orlyval + RER B is still technically an option (€14, ~35 minutes), but with Line 14 available, there is no practical reason to choose it unless Line 14 is closed for maintenance.
Taxi fixed fares: Orly → Left Bank: €37 flat. Orly → Right Bank: €44 flat.
Common Mistakes That Waste Money (and Time)
Even in 2026, we see tourists making the same costly errors. These are the ones to avoid.
Buying a Paris Visite pass “just to be safe”
This is the most common overpayment. A 5‑day Paris Visite costs €78.00. A 5‑day trip using single tickets on a Navigo Easy card typically costs €40–€50. The pass offers no other meaningful advantage unless you need airport access included and you ride transit constantly. For most itineraries, you are paying a 50–80% premium for nothing.
Assuming one ticket works for metro + bus
This used to be true with the old Ticket t+. It is false in 2026. A €2.55 metro ticket is rejected on a bus validator. If your journey requires both, buy two tickets or get a day pass (Navigo Jour at €12.30).
Assuming the Navigo Semaine is a 7‑day pass
It is not. It is a Monday–Sunday pass. If you buy it on Thursday, you lose Monday–Wednesday entirely. Many tourists discover this at the machine and buy it anyway out of confusion. Do not do this unless you arrive Monday through Wednesday.
Forgetting that children 4–9 ride half price
Children under 4 ride free. Children ages 4–9 pay the reduced fare of €1.30 per metro ride (instead of €2.55) and €1.05 per bus ride (instead of €2.05). Many parents accidentally load adult tickets onto their child’s Navigo Easy card. At the machine, select “reduced fare” before loading tickets.
How to Use Your Phone as a Navigo Pass (No Card Needed)
If you have an NFC-enabled smartphone, you can completely skip buying a physical Navigo Easy card. This is the most convenient method for 2026—one less thing to carry and no €2 card fee.
Download either the Bonjour RATP app or the Île-de-France Mobilités app. Create an account (email and password, takes two minutes). Then buy tickets or passes directly in the app. Your phone becomes the pass. At the turnstile, tap your phone exactly like you would tap a credit card. The NFC reader recognizes it as a valid Navigo pass.
Crucial detail: This works for iPhone and most recent Android phones (those with NFC/Google Pay capability). However, some older Android phones lack the required security chip. If you are unsure, test by opening the app and seeing if it offers to “add a transit card.” If it does, your phone works. If not, buy the physical Navigo Easy card instead.
Frequently Asked Questions (Short, Useful Answers)
Can I tap my credit card directly at the metro turnstile in 2026?
No. As of May 2026, contactless bank card payment is being rolled out on buses, but not on the metro itself. You still need a Navigo Easy card or your smartphone.
How much does a single metro ride cost in 2026?
€2.55 for adults (full fare). Children 4–9 pay €1.30. Children under 4 ride free. A single metro ticket is valid for 2 hours on the rail network (no exit/re-entry). Bus tickets cost €2.05 (€1.05 reduced) and are valid for 90 minutes on buses and trams. The two ticket types are not interchangeable.
Can I use a metro ticket to transfer to a bus?
No. This is the single biggest change from pre‑2025 rules. A €2.55 metro ticket works only on metro, RER, and trains. A €2.05 bus-tram ticket works only on buses and trams. A journey requiring both needs two separate tickets. Day passes (Navigo Jour, Navigo Semaine, Paris Visite) do allow unlimited transfers across both networks.
What is the best pass for a 3‑day trip to Paris?
For almost everyone: a Navigo Easy card loaded with single tickets. For metro-only days, €2.55 per ride. For days mixing metro and bus, weigh whether a Navigo Jour (€12.30) makes sense. Average daily rides are 3–4, costing ~€8–€10/day for metro-only itineraries.
Is the Paris metro safe at night?
Generally yes. Lines 1 and 14 are fully automated with security cameras on every car. Major stations like Châtelet, Gare du Nord, and Saint-Lazare have regular security presence. Standard precautions apply: keep bags in front of you, avoid completely empty train cars late at night, and stay aware of your surroundings. Pickpocketing is the main risk—violent crime is extremely rare.
What time does the metro open and close?
First trains depart around 5:30 AM. Last trains leave terminal stations around 1:00 AM (1:15 AM on Friday and Saturday nights). There is no 24‑hour metro service. The “last metro” time posted at stations refers to when the last train leaves the end of the line—it may pass your station 20–30 minutes earlier. Check the Bonjour RATP app for exact times at your specific station.
What is the difference between Navigo Easy and Navigo Découverte?
Navigo Easy is the modern, contactless card for tourists and occasional riders. You buy it for €2, load tickets, and tap. Navigo Découverte is an older system that requires a photo, your name written on the card, and costs €5. It is designed for weekly or monthly passes. For a few days in Paris, you want Navigo Easy—not Découverte.
The Bottom Line: Which Navigo Pass Should You Actually Buy?
After reading all of the above, here is the simplest possible decision path:
- Arriving Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday and riding transit 5+ times per day (including airports or Versailles)? → Buy the Navigo Semaine (€32.40). It covers both metro and bus seamlessly.
- Any other arrival day or lighter usage (most tourists) and you will stick to metro/RER only? → Buy a Navigo Easy card (€2) and load single metro tickets (€2.55 each) as you go. Do not buy a day pass.
- Your itinerary mixes metro and bus regularly but you don’t qualify for Navigo Semaine? → Compare the cost of single tickets (€2.55 + €2.05 per mixed trip) against a Navigo Jour (€12.30). If you make 4 or more mixed-mode trips in a single day, the day pass wins.
- You absolutely want one pass that includes everything and you do not care about paying extra for convenience? → Buy Paris Visite. But know you are paying roughly double what you need to.
The 2026 Paris metro is faster and more reliable than ever—but the new split between metro and bus tickets catches nearly everyone off guard. Use a Navigo Easy card or your phone, load the correct ticket type for each network, and ignore any advice written before 2025. You will tap through turnstiles without stress or wasted money.