Paris Metro Tickets: How To Pay For Public Transit
The days of carrying a pocket full of Paris Metro tickets are largely gone. Today's tickets are stored on a smartphone or a Navigo Easy card, with the Metro, RER, buses, and trams sharing a streamlined digital ticketing system.
This guide explains how Paris Metro tickets work, where to buy them, and how to use them throughout the transportation network. For more information about the network itself, see our guides to the Paris Metro and the Paris RER.
Metro, Bus & RER Tickets Explained
Tapping a Navigo Easy card.
At first glance, the Paris transit system looks more complicated than it really is. The days of sorting through dozens of ticket options are largely gone. A small number of ticket types now covers almost every trip on the Metro, RER, buses, and trams.
The Metro and RER share the same ticket system, making it easy to move between neighborhoods and across the city. Buses and trams use a different ticket. Separate airport tickets cover rail journeys to and from Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orly Airport.
Metro, bus, tram, and airport tickets can be stored on a Navigo Easy card or directly on a smartphone. The same tickets are available on both.
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Can You Use Tap-To-Pay On The Paris Metro?
The short answer is no. Unlike cities such as London, Paris does not allow riders to tap a credit card or debit card directly at a Metro gate and travel.
The confusion is understandable because Paris now uses digital ticketing throughout the system. Instead of tapping a bank card, you store Metro tickets on a Navigo Easy card or a smartphone and tap that at the gate.
The same approach is used on buses and trams, where tickets are validated by tapping the card or phone on the reader when boarding.
Buying & Loading Paris Metro Tickets
Purchasing Metro tickets
Buying Metro tickets in Paris is straightforward. Ticket machines and staffed counters are available at Metro and RER stations throughout the city. Machines offer several language options and accept credit cards.
Metro tickets can be stored on a Navigo Easy card or directly on a smartphone using the Île-de-France Mobilités or Bonjour RATP apps. The same tickets are available on both.
Running low on tickets is not a problem. Additional tickets can be purchased at station machines or through the apps and added in a matter of moments.
Practical Points
- Buy tickets at station machines, staffed counters, or through the official transportation apps
- Store tickets on a Navigo Easy card or a compatible smartphone
- Credit cards are accepted at ticket machines throughout the network
- Tickets can be added or reloaded whenever needed
Using Paris Metro Tickets
Metro ticket gates at Palais Royal station
Using a Metro ticket is largely a matter of tapping and going. At Metro and RER stations, hold your Navigo Easy card or smartphone against the reader to open the gate and enter the system.
Once inside, the Metro and RER operate as a connected network. Changing from one line to another is simply a matter of following the station signs to your next platform.
Buses and trams work a little differently. Instead of station gates, you'll find ticket validators onboard or near the doors. Tap your card or smartphone when boarding and keep it available during the trip.
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How Long Does One Ticket Last?
Waiting for the next train - photo Mark Craft
One ticket covers an entire Metro or RER journey, not just a single train ride.You can change Metro lines, transfer between the Metro and RER, and continue toward your destination without purchasing another ticket.
The point where a new ticket becomes necessary is usually easy to spot: you leave the system. Once you pass through the station exit gates, another ticket is required to enter again.
Buses and trams follow their own rules. Journeys to Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orly Airport require separate airport tickets. For more information, see our guide to the RER B from CDG to Paris.Official Fare Information
The official Île-de-France Mobilités website publishes current fares, ticket options, and transportation updates.
Official Paris Transportation Fares →
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