Traveling to Paris in 2025 and planning to use the public transport system? The Navigo Card is a smart card (basically a credit card) that only costs $2 and can be loaded up with credits to ride the Pairs Metro and the Paris bus system.
Navigating a new city’s metro and bus network can be daunting, but the video below provides some essential tips to make your journey smoother, especially if you’re traveling with kids (our kids don’t have smart phones) Of course don’t forget to get an eSIM on for your jaunt to “Gay Paree” – in July 2025 we used this all EU eSIM for 1 month with 50GB click this link now on our smart phones.
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Here are some top tips and tricks for using the Paris Metro and bus system, with timestamps pointing to the video for more details:
- One Pass Per Person: Remember that each traveler, including children, needs their own Navigo Easy Pass. You can’t load tickets for multiple people onto a single card. [00:18]
- Separate Tickets: The metro and bus require separate tickets, so you’ll need to purchase the correct type for your journey. THIS WAS A BIG GOTCHA FOR US![00:47]
- Metro Ticket Validity: A single metro ticket is valid for about two hours, allowing you to transfer between lines on a single trip. [00:54]
- Purchasing Passes: You can buy multiple Navigo Easy cards at once from a ticket machine or get assistance at a counter. [01:35]
- Use the App: The easiest way to manage your tickets is by using the Bonjour RATP app to check your balance and reload your pass on the go. [05:04] we still recommend gettin physical cards for each user and you could in theory use one smartphone to load multiple tickets on multiple cards!
- On-the-Go Reloading: If you find yourself without enough fare at the turnstile, you can quickly use the app on your phone to reload your passes. [08:52]
- Airport Travel: Traveling to the airport requires a special, separate ticket. [02:34]