🚇 Paris Transport Pass for Tourists
Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, filled with iconic landmarks, charming streets, world-class museums, and rich culture. To fully enjoy your visit, navigating the city efficiently is essential. Fortunately, Paris offers several transport passes for tourists, designed to simplify travel and save money.
This comprehensive guide covers all the available transport passes for tourists, how they work, pricing, zones, where to buy them, and how to choose the best option for your trip.
🧳 Why You Need a Paris Transport Pass
Paris has a well-connected and efficient public transport network that includes:
- Métro (subway)
- RER trains (suburban express trains)
- Buses
- Trams
- Funicular (Montmartre lift)
While single tickets are available, they can add up quickly. A transport pass allows for unlimited travel within specified zones and is more convenient than buying tickets each time.
🎫 Main Paris Transport Pass Options for Tourists
1. Paris Visite Pass
The most popular transport pass for tourists.
✔️ What It Includes:
- Unlimited travel on metro, RER trains, buses, trams, and funicular.
- Available for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days.
- Choice of zones:
- Zones 1–3: Covers most of central Paris (perfect for museums, landmarks, restaurants).
- Zones 1–5: Includes Versailles, Disneyland Paris, and airports (CDG & Orly).
💰 Price (as of 2025):
| Duration | Zones 1–3 (Adult) | Zones 1–5 (Adult) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | €13.55 | €28.50 |
| 2 days | €22.05 | €43.30 |
| 3 days | €30.10 | €60.70 |
| 5 days | €43.30 | €74.30 |
Children (ages 4–11) pay approximately half-price.
🛍️ Perks:
- Discounts at selected museums and shops.
- Can be combined with the Paris Museum Pass or Paris Pass.
2. Navigo Découverte Pass
Best option for longer stays or if you arrive on a Monday.
✔️ What It Includes:
- Unlimited travel within Zones 1–5 (covers all of Paris, airports, Disneyland, Versailles).
- Valid Monday to Sunday only—not based on activation time.
- Reloadable smart card format.
💰 Price (as of 2025):
- Initial cost: €5 (for the card itself)
- Weekly fare: €30.75 (zones 1–5)
📝 Requirements:
- A passport-size photo to attach to the card.
- Must be purchased in person (ticket window at metro or RER stations).
🎯 Ideal for:
- Visitors staying in Paris for 4+ days, especially Monday to Sunday.
- Budget-conscious travelers.
3. T+ Tickets (Single Ride Tickets)
Simple option for short stays or minimal use.
✔️ Details:
- Each ticket costs €2.10
- Allows a 90-minute ride, including transfers between metro and RER within Paris.
- Valid for metro, bus, tram, and funicular.
- Cannot be used to reach airports (CDG or Orly).
🛒 Options:
- Carnet of 10 tickets: €19.10 (often digital via Navigo Easy card or app)
- Paper carnets are being phased out in favor of contactless travel.
4. Navigo Easy Card
Reloadable card for single tickets or limited pass use.
✔️ Features:
- Costs €2 (for the card)
- Load with t+ tickets, day passes, or OrlyBus/RoissyBus tickets
- No photo required
🧳 Great for:
- Travelers who want flexibility without committing to a full-week pass.
- Tourists visiting for 1–2 days.
5. Airport Transfer Tickets
If you’re not using a full-zone pass, consider standalone airport transport:
✈️ Options:
- CDG Airport (RER B) to central Paris: €11.80
- Orly Airport (Orlyval + RER B): ~€12.10
- RoissyBus or OrlyBus: Express buses to/from airport (~€11–€12)
These are included in the Navigo Découverte and Paris Visite Zone 1–5 passes.
🗺️ Understanding Paris Zones
Paris’s transport system is divided into five concentric zones:
- Zone 1–2: Central Paris (all metro lines and major tourist spots)
- Zone 3: Near suburbs
- Zone 4–5: Includes Disneyland, Versailles, and airports
Most tourists only need zones 1–3, but those traveling to CDG, Orly, or Disneyland will require a pass covering zones 1–5.
🏷️ Choosing the Right Pass
| Your Plan | Best Pass |
|---|---|
| 1–3 days in central Paris | Paris Visite (Zones 1–3) |
| Full week in Paris (Mon–Sun) | Navigo Découverte (Zones 1–5) |
| Visiting Disneyland or airports | Paris Visite (Zones 1–5) or Navigo Découverte |
| Only 1–2 rides/day | T+ tickets via Navigo Easy |
| Short trip, budget-minded | Navigo Easy with carnet |
🏪 Where to Buy Passes
- Metro stations (ticket counters or vending machines)
- RER stations
- Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports
- Tourist information centers
- Online (Paris Visite can be pre-ordered and delivered)
📱 Digital Options & Apps
- Île-de-France Mobilités app: Allows you to load passes and tickets directly to your phone.
- RATP app: Public transport maps, routes, schedules, and real-time updates.
💡 Travel Tips
- Always validate your ticket or scan your card before entering.
- Hold onto your ticket/card until the end of your journey.
- If you’re caught without a valid ticket, you can be fined on the spot.
- Paris metro trains run roughly 5:30 AM – 12:30 AM (later on weekends).
- Be cautious of pickpockets, especially at busy stations.
✅ Final Thoughts
Getting around Paris doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. The Paris transport pass options for tourists make it easy to explore the city like a local, whether you’re here for two days or two weeks. Choosing the right pass depends on your itinerary, duration of stay, and whether you’re traveling to outer zones like Versailles or the airport.
If you want the most flexibility and simplicity, the Paris Visite pass is a great option. For budget-savvy travelers staying longer, the Navigo Découverte offers unmatched value. And for light travelers, loading T+ tickets on a Navigo Easy card works beautifully.
No matter which pass you choose, one thing’s certain: with Paris’s efficient transport system at your fingertips, every corner of the city is within reach.