Paris has one of the best public transportation networks in the world, but to make the process easier, it’s good to understand how the zones and Navigo apps work. Whether you’re going up the Eiffel Tower, zipping through the historic streets of Montmartre, or heading farther out to take the kids to Disneyland, Paris’s Metro, RER, bus, and tram networks have you covered.
Thanks to Paris’s transition to Metro–Train–RER unified tickets, you usually don’t have to stress about zones anymore for regular city travel. However — special destinations like the airports sometimes require separate point-to-point tickets, even though they fall into Zones 4–5.
On my last visit, I made do with buying paper tickets from the Metro machines — but honestly, I wish I had downloaded the apps beforehand. I seemed to have encountered every possible thing that could go wrong during my one-week stay in Paris:
- Many machines were frustratingly slow to respond.
- One refused to switch to English.
- The lines for the 2 machines at the Louvre were particularly long.
- And at one station, I even accidentally bought a T+ ticket that wasn’t valid there — even though the machine still let me purchase it! (Heads up: T+ tickets are being phased out in 2025.)
- One station had this old machine with a rolly selection thing. It was kind of fun?
Had I set up the Bonjour RATP or picked up a Navigo Easy pass, I would’ve saved time, stress, and more than a few confused sighs.
This guide breaks down every major Paris metro and RER ticket option, including how and where each one works, what Paris metro zones actually matter (spoiler: they mostly don’t unless you’re going to the airport, Versailles, or Disneyland Paris), and which pass is best for your trip—whether you’re in Paris for a day, a week, or planning to explore the Ile-de-France region.
Let’s dive in!
Understanding the Zones
Paris is divided into five concentric zones (Zones 1 – 5) :
- Zones 1–2 = Central Paris. This is where all the major tourist attractions are located, such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Notre-Dame and Montmartre.
- Zone 3 = Residential suburbs outside of central Paris. Think stadiums, universities and business centers. Most tourists wouldn’t be going to Zone 3 unless they’re attending an event or visiting La Défense for shopping and the architecture.
- Zones 4–5 = Suburbs, including major attractions like Versailles, Disneyland Paris, and both Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly Airports.
Most tourists stay within Zones 1–2, but you’ll need Zones 1–5 if you’re visiting Disney or Versailles. Also, depending on what ticket or pass you get, you might need special tickets for direct lines to/from airports, even though they’re technically zone 5.
Important:
- Regular Metro-Train-RER tickets won’t work on airport trains, specifically the RER B to CDG, Metro Line 14 to Orly Airport and RoissyBus. Those require special tickets.
- Always double-check if your destination needs a special ticket!
Using the Bonjour RATP App
In today’s world of smartphones, this is my recommended way of managing your Paris metro tickets. There are 2 official apps for the Paris metro – Bonjour RATP and the one from Ile-de-France Mobilités, but Bonjour RATP is the one I recommend for tourists.
For iPhone and Apple Watch users it’s pretty straightforward – you just download the Bonjour RATP app, create an account and you’re good to go.
For Android users, this is going to sound confusing:
You need two apps if you want to buy and store digital Metro tickets on your phone.
- Bonjour RATP App:
- Plan your trip
- Buy and load tickets or passes
- Plan your trip
- My Navigo Tickets App:
- Stores and manages your tickets
- Stores and manages your tickets
Wait… why do you need two separate apps, you ask?
In simple terms:
Bonjour is where you buy the tickets.
My Navigo Tickets is where your ticket lives and manages everything behind the scenes.
Both apps must stay installed and running in the background for your digital ticket to work!
Step 1: Download the “Bonjour RATP” (and “My Navigo Tickets” for Android)
Apple:
For Apple users, you would only need to download Bonjour RATP
Android:
If you have an Android phone, you will need to download both the My Navigo Tickets and Bonjour RATP from the Google Play store. The Bonjour RATP app is what you’ll use to:
- Plan routes on the Metro, RER, buses, and trams
- Buy and manage tickets
- Get real-time updates on service, delays, and closures
Here’s the website to download the Bonjour RATP app.
Step 2: Buy a Ticket or Pass using Bonjour RATP
Once in Bonjour RATP, tap the “Tickets” section. If your phone has NFC (most modern smartphones do), you can load tickets directly onto your phone or onto a physical Navigo Easy card (available for €2 at most Metro stations).
Popular ticket/pass options – here’s a detailed list of the ticket options:
- Tickets – Single tickets ride within Paris
- Navigo Tickets – Unlimited travel for one day
- Paris Visite Tickets – Great for multi-day stays
- Weekly Navigo Pass – Best for Monday–Sunday trips
Please Note:
- If you want to load tickets to a Navigo Easy card, make sure to scan the card using your phone during purchase.
- For loading a ticket onto an iPhone or Apple Watch – once the payment is completed, you must load the ticket onto a digital card in the Apple Wallet app.
Step 3: Plan Your Route with Bonjour RATP
This is where Bonjour shines. Just enter your starting point and destination, and it’ll show:
- Multiple route options (fastest, least transfers, etc.)
- Which lines to take and when they arrive
- How much walking is involved
- Alerts for service changes or delays
Step 4: Tap In and Go
If your ticket is on your phone, just hold it near the contactless reader at the turnstile. If it’s on a Navigo Easy card, tap the card instead. No need for printed tickets or standing in line at a machine!
Bonus Tips
- Transfers are allowed within 90 minutes
- Bonjour RATP works offline for route planning—but connect to Wi-Fi or data for real-time updates.
- Stroller, luggage or limited mobility? Look for stations marked with elevators (rare, but not impossible).
- If you’re going to Versailles, Disneyland Paris or CDG Airport, double-check zones—those are outside central Paris.
Paris Transit Ticket & Pass Options (Explained)
📱 Metro–Train Digital Ticket (via Bonjour App)
- What it is: A digital Paris transport ticket covering all zones.
- Where it works: Zones 1–5, including Versailles, Disneyland Paris, and suburbs.
- Validity: Single ride to destination.
- Best for: Tourists who want to avoid ticket machines.
- Requires: Bonjour RATP app + My Navigo Tickets app (Android NFC phones only).
🚍 Bus–Tram Ticket
- What it is: Single-use ticket for bus and tram rides only.
- Where it works: Across the entire Île-de-France region.
- Cost: €2.15 (same as T+)
- Validity: 90 minutes from first validation.
- Best for: Travelers using bus/tram only routes in outer zones.
- Note: Not valid on metro or RER lines.
💼 Navigo Ticket Pass
- What it is: Best value for travelers spending a full week in Paris (Mon–Sun).
- Where it works: Unlimited rides in Zones 1–5.
- Validity (1 Day Pass): Midnight to midnight on chosen day
- Validity (Weekly Pass): Monday to Sunday of the same week, regardless of purchase day.
- Validity (Monthly Pass): First to last day of the month, regardless of purchase day.
- Best for: Long stays, day trips to Versailles, Disneyland, and CDG airport.
- Excludes: Orlyval light rail, Le Bus Direct, and some private airport buses.
- Includes: Fileo night bus service to suburban business zones.
🧾 Paris Visite Pass
- What it is: Unlimited public transport for 1–5 days, plus discounts.
- Where it works: Choose Zones 1–3 or Zones 1–5.
- Validity: 1 to 5 consecutive days from first use.
- Best for: Tourists who want museum discounts or only staying a few days.
- Bonus: Includes discounts at museums, Galeries Lafayette, and attractions.
🎟️ T+ Ticket (Single Ride)
- What it is: Basic one-way Paris metro ticket.
- Where it works: Valid in Zone 1, for metro, buses, trams, and RER inside central Paris.
- Best for: Very short visits with occasional rides.
Note: Paper tickets are being phased out by 2025.
What About the Navigo Easy Travel Card?
If you prefer something physical, you can buy a Navigo Easy Travel Card — a reloadable plastic card for contactless travel.
- Costs just €2 to buy
- Load T+ tickets, day passes, or Paris Visite passes onto it
- Tap to enter and exit Metro stations, buses, trams, and RER
You can buy the Navigo Easy Travel Card at any metro station ticket office and you can even reload your card from the Bonjour RATP app on your smartphone!
Paris Metro & Navigo Pass: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s the best metro pass for tourists visiting Paris for 1 week?
If you’re staying Monday to Sunday, the Navigo Weekly Pass is the best value. It covers unlimited rides in Zones 1–5, including trips to Versailles and Disneyland Paris, for just €30.75.
Can tourists use the Navigo pass on their phones?
Yes—but you’ll need both the Bonjour RATP app and the My Navigo Tickets app, and you must allow the latter to run in the background. This lets you buy and store tickets digitally (Android NFC phones only).
What zones does the Paris metro ticket cover?
Basic T+ tickets are for Zone 1 only. But digital tickets via the Bonjour app or Navigo Weekly Pass cover Zones 1–5. Zone 5 includes Disneyland Paris, Zone 4 covers Versailles, and Zone 3 includes more suburban areas.
What’s the difference between Navigo Easy and Navigo Découverte?
- Navigo Easy is for single-use or day passes only.
- Navigo Découverte is required for weekly or monthly passes.
Can I use the Navigo pass to get to CDG or Orly airport?
- Navigo Weekly Pass includes RER B to CDG.
- Does not include: Orlyval, Roissybus, or Le Bus Direct.
Is the Paris Visite pass worth it?
Only if you want short-term convenience + museum discounts. For longer stays, Navigo Weekly Pass is more cost-effective (only valid on trips Monday – Sunday).
Can I still buy paper metro tickets in Paris?
Yes, but they are being phased out by 2025. Machines can be unreliable. We recommend the Navigo Easy card or the Bonjour app.
Why don’t you recommend the Ile-de-France Mobilités app for tourists?
The Ile-de-France Mobilités app isn’t tourist friendly. You can only access the “Create a New Account” page in France, and even then you need a French phone number starting with +33 to get an SMS to validate your account.
Is my Smartphone compatible with the Bonjour RATP tap and go ticket service?
Most modern smartphones are compatible. With the exception of Google Pixel Slate, Nocturne, Pixel, Pixel 2, Pixel 2XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a xl, Pixel 4, Pixel C, Pixel Slate, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P – and the latest Huawei and Honor models) and with iPhones Xs and the next models, with at least iOS 17.5.**
