The Navigo

The Navigo pass is a card that allows you to enter the Metro or bus system by simply tapping your card at the turnstile or on board. No paper tickets. No multiple visits to the machine. Once your card is charged for the week or month, you can take the Metro, bus or tram as many times as you’d like within a certain area.

Depending on your plan, the Navigo will cover only a certain number of the five zones in the greater Paris region. Most visitors will only visit within zones 1-2, but you can buy for zones 1-5 if needed. Separate “supplement” tickets can be bought to get to the outer zones for those isolated trips to Versailles or the airport.

It’s a convenience for those commuting to and from work every day, but the Navigo isn’t always going to be a budget traveler’s best friend.

To purchase a Navigo pass, you can go to any Metro station. Photo: Bryan Pirolli

Short Visits

If you’re only in Paris for a few days, I don’t think that you should even consider it. A monthly or weekly pass isn’t worth it, and you can rely simply on the “carnets,” or packs of 10 tickets purchased at a reduced rate of €14.90. So you get 10 rides split between however many people you’d like. Just note that paper tickets will be phased out by 2021, so you might not want to stock up on too many carnets.

Besides, walking is the best way to explore the city.

Related: 10 tips for riding the Metro like a local

Longer Visits

If you’re here for at least a week, you may want to consider a weekly pass. The passes start on Monday and are valid through Sunday, so if you arrive on Friday, you’ll still have to buy regular tickets (or carnets) and wait until Monday to start the weekly pass. If this seems frustrating and complicated, don’t even bother with it.

The pass costs €22.80, plus €5 for the actual card that needs to be purchased from a ticket window. So the total is €27.80. But there is one more thing you need: a photo of yourself. You used to have to get the photo taken at a station, but now you can do it yourself. Your photo could be any size, and it does not have to be glossy or photo paper. There are instant photo booths in major stations if you need to take one there.

To insert your photo, peel the adhesive cover on the Navigo card and stick on the photo. Then you slide it into a plastic cover that comes with your pass. You can do this later, at your hotel or whenever you have a free moment. This is convenient because someone else (like a friend living in Paris) could buy the pass for you ahead of time, so you’ll be ready to go from the moment you arrive.

But for just €29.80, you could have 20 tickets or two carnets, that will probably be more than sufficient for your trip. If you think you’ll take more than 20 rides in a week, then consider the weekly Navigo.

Or maybe consider re-organizing your trip, because that is a lot of time in the Metro.

Related: 50 ways to save time and money in Paris

Really Long Visits

If you’re staying for more than three weeks, you may want to opt for the monthly Navigo at €75.20 for all zones, which includes all 20 districts of Paris. Like the weekly pass, you’ll need to purchase the card and get a photo for it.

These passes start at the beginning of the month and have an advantage that the weekly passes do not. On weekends (midnight on Friday to midnight on Sunday) and holidays, the passes allow you to travel to any zone. So if you are planning weekend trips to Versailles, Disneyland, the airport, or anywhere else that is outside of central Paris, you could end up benefiting from a monthly pass.

And chances are if you are here for a few weeks, you’ll have walked enough that the comfort and ease of the Metro will come in handy more than just once a day.

Bottom Line

Plan it out. If you’re staying out in zone 4 for some reason during a prolonged three-week stay, you might want to consider the monthly or weekly pass to save money.

But if you’re staying central for a few days, forget the Navigo pass. It would be a shame to waste hard-earned money on a Navigo that you end up not using at all.

What do you think?

Do you agree with our assessment of the Navigo pass? Have you purchased one when visiting Paris? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below.

The post Paris: Will buying a Navigo pass help you save on the Metro and bus? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Our guide to saving in Paris

• All Paris articles
• Saving on Paris transportation
• Best budget hotels in Paris
• 10 Costly mistakes that tourists make in Paris

1. Buy Métro tickets in bulk

We’ve covered this before (including in our post on 50 Do’s & Don’ts in Paris that will improve your trip), but it’s worth repeating. If you’re relying on the Métro, bus, or tram for transportation, think ahead and buy those tickets in bulk. Single ride tickets in Paris, known as “t+” tickets, cost €1.90 and can be used for one ride on any bus, tram, Métro, or express train (RER) within the city limits. You can transfer between metro lines with one ticket but you can’t transfer between different buses with one ticket.

However, it is definitely better to buy a bundle of 10 single ride tickets, known as a carnet (“carn-nay”), rather than buying them one at a time. Carnets, which are priced at €14.90 each, resulting in a 21% savings off the single ride price.

Note that paper tickets are slowly being phased out by 2021, but you will still be able to buy the 10-ride carnet with the new Navigo Easy card.

Read more tips about riding the Métro like a local.

With unlimited rides, a Navigo pass can be very helpful for a longer trip to Paris. Photo Emily J.

2. Consider a Navigo Pass if you plan to ride a lot

If you’re staying in Paris for at least a week and plan to use the Parisian transportation system extensively, the unlimited weekly pass, called the “Navigo Pass”, could make your trip more budget friendly. It costs €22.80 and can be purchased at any Metro station window. However, you must also purchase the physical card itself, which costs €5 and is reusable.

The Navigo is an electronic chip card that you swipe on a turnstile, and it provides weekly or monthly unlimited rides on all Paris transportation options — everything from the Métro to the bus to the RER commuter rails. But while it’s a deal for some, this card could be more of a hassle than a convenience for others.

Read more about the pros and cons of Navigo and how to buy one.

3. Staying in the suburbs? The Navigo Pass probably makes sense

If you’re staying outside of the Paris center, you’ll likely save a bundle on your hotel costs (for example, at these 14 hotels in the nearby suburbs), but with prices that range from €2.75 to €8 for a one-way ticket to central Paris from the suburbs, the RER commuter rail can get pricey if you buy single ride tickets.

However, things are much cheaper when you use a Navigo pass, which offers travelers commuting to Paris savings from a few cents to a few euros depending on their location. This is because in 2015 the city of Paris decided to charge a flat fee for Navigo passes across all five Métro zones. So no matter how far from the center you are, you’re always charged the same rate of €22.80 per week.

Staying outside the city center but not sure what train zone you’re in? Find the nearest RER stop on this Paris zone map.

A map of the RER system in Paris.

4. Don’t judge distances by the Metro map

The Paris Métro map can be deceptive. Distances between stations all look relatively uniform on the map, but vary greatly on the ground. In fact, there are a lot of stops that are only a two- to four-minute walk from each other — which means in some cases you could get to your destination quicker (and cheaper!) on your own two feet.

Save on unnecessary trips by looking at a non-Metro map. For example, keep a copy of this modified Métro map on your smartphone or in your pocket. It indicates how long it takes to walk to each Métro station. This map, created by professional transport planner Guillaume Martinetti, shows the real distance of how close (or far) Metro stops are from each other.

Riding a Velib’ bike through Paris. Photo Kim

5. Hop on a bike

Renting a bike is as cheap as the Métro in Paris, €1 for 30 minutes (and cheaper for a day- and week-long passes), thanks to a bike share program called Velib’. In addition to being dirt cheap, biking around the city allows you to get to where you want to go while sightseeing and exercising at the same time. Gazing at famous streets, buildings, and parks is easy and fun while you’re pedaling along.

You can rent a regular bike for €1 for 30 minutes or an electric bike for €2 for 30 minutes. It costs the same price to top up for another 30 minutes for each type of bike. If you’re under 27 years old, the first 30 minutes ride with a mechanical bike is free and it’s €1 with an electric bike.

Keep in mind, however, that although there are some nice bike routes, there are also some streets without designated bike lanes. To check and see if riding a bike is a safe option, take a look at where you’re staying and where you’d like to go on this Velib’ map. Bike-only lanes are featured in turquoise while lanes shared by both bikes and buses are in pink.

6. If you’re under 26, save with the “Ticket Jeune Weekend”

When it comes to getting discounts, young people visiting Paris have it pretty good. Not only can you receive discounts on museum admission, but also on transportation. The Ticket Jeune, which can be bought at any Métro, bus, or tram station ticket window, allows anyone under the age of 26 daily unlimited rides on the Parisian transport network over the weekend. This includes rides on the Métro, on the bus, on trams, and on the RER, the commuter express train network.

For zones 1 to 3, which covers the metropolitan area and a bit of the suburbs, you’ll pay €3.85 per day. That’s a little more than two single ride tickets, so it’s definitely worth it if you know you’ll be using the transportation system more than twice in a day, or if you’re staying outside the city center in zone 3, where single ride prices are €2.75 each. But keep in mind that this discount is only available on Saturday, Sunday and during bank holidays.

7. Hail a taxi during the weekday

While public transportation in Paris is much cheaper than hopping in a cab, there will be times when you need to get home from an out of the way location or late at night. Another scenario? You need to haul yourself, two kids, and luggage to the airport in time for your flight. Sometimes taking a car in Paris is just worth it.

For daytime travel within Paris between the hours of 10 am and 5 pm, Monday through Saturday, a taxi (at €1.07 per kilometer) is usually cheaper than an Uber ride. For nighttime travel within Paris between 5 pm and 10 am, Monday through Saturday, a taxi will cost €1.29 per kilometer. On Sundays, taxis taken between midnight at 7 am will cost €1.56 per kilometer. However, keep in mind that there’s a minimum charge of €5.60 for any taxi ride, and €1 is added to your charge for every item over 5 kg you bring with you in the car.

Read more on cost saving tips on taking taxis in Paris, and take a look at EuroCheapo’s primer on taxis in the central Paris area.

8. …Or order an Uber at other times

If you take a taxi at other times (nighttime, early morning and Sundays) and/or you’re planning to travel outside the central Paris area, you can be charged up to €1.56 per kilometer (see the taxi section for more details). In this case, Uber Paris presents a few options that might be slightly cheaper. Uber options are as follows:

• The UberX service is €1.05 per kilometer with a €6 minimum ride. UberX cars are usually mid-range vehicles that are advertised as no-frills rides.
• Uber Berline, at €1.55 per kilometer and a €15 minimum charge, is more typical of an airport limousine service and uses high-end cars.
• There’s also the way roomier UberVan service, featuring — you guessed it, vans — at €1.55 per kilometer and a €15 minimum charge.
• Finally, and most cheaply, consider taking advantage of the UberPool program, which can knock the typical price of a journey down by €10 to €20  as long as you’re willing to share the car with another passenger or two.

While UberX and UberPool are a little less expensive than the traditional taxi, it can be hard to order an Uber without a smartphone. If you run into data issues and either didn’t bring or can’t use your smartphone, then a traditional taxi makes the most sense.

For more Uber tips, check out our guide: How to find the cheapest rides using Uber in Paris

Bonus Tip: Try the Paris Visite Pass

For the ultimate tourist transportation, you might consider getting the Paris Visite travel pass. It allows you to use all the public transportation networks in Paris without any limitation. You can purchase a 1 day, 2-day, 3-day, or 5 consecutive day pass.

There are two zone divisions: Paris (zone 1-3), which costs €38.35 for the 5-day pass for an adult, or you can purchase the Greater Paris Area (zone 1-5) for €65.80 for a 5-day pass for an adult. The zone 1-5 pass could end up saving you money in the long run because it includes the cost of traveling to both Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports, Disneyland, and Versailles without paying extra. It costs €7.10 for a roundtrip ticket from Paris to Versailles, it costs €15.10 for a roundtrip ticket from Paris to Disneyland, and €10.30 for a one way trip from Paris to Charles de Gaulle airport. All this would be included in the Paris Visite.

The pass can be bought at the metro station counter or the metro station ticket machines. Find out more about the Paris Visite pass here.

Your tips

Have more suggestions about ways to save on getting around Paris? Share with us below!

The post Paris Transit Tips: 8 ways to save on the Metro, buses & taxis appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

As is our holiday tradition, we’re ready with our list of why you should be excited about visiting Paris in 2015. (Funny how the list gets longer every year. We wonder what 75 reasons to visit Paris in 2075 will look like…)

Fortunately 15 reasons to visit the City of Light is an easy challenge, with many new things happening, beginning in January. Here are just a few of the highlights that we’re looking forward to:

The renovations at the Musée Picasso have finally finished, and it’s looking better than ever. Photo: Yann C.

15. Picasso is back in the house

After accidentally lying to you years ago, this time we’re sure. The newly renovated Picasso Museum has finally reopened. We’re serious this time. We’ve seen it. It just reopened. So go visit!

14. BYO Bag

A city free of plastic bags? That’s what Paris should look like in 2015. Mayor Hidalgo wants to rid the city of the pervasive bags that contribute to pollution. We’re inching closer to a cleaner Paris. Think about bringing your own tote bag.

13. Swan Lake! Singin’ in the Rain!

“Swan Lake” at the Opéra Bastille this March-April? Yes please! (And cheapo seats are available from €5!) The theatrical offerings next year are as high quality as ever at the city’s two main opera houses. Or swing over to the Théâtre du Châtelet for a bit of “Singin’ in the Rain”, March 12-26.

Related: Cheapo guide to the Opera district

12. Papal visit

The pope’s coming, and he’s pretty cool, right? Francois I’s plans are still shaping up—no doubt waiting to see if we’ll be around to give him a visit of our favorite spots—but we’ll let you know once he decides to book. With only two or three other visits planned around France, you can bet this historic trip will mean a lot of excitement in Paris.

The Ritz at Place Vendome might be out of our price range, but we’re still looking forward to the new renovations. (Hint: fancy bathroom break!) Photo: Welshdan

11. Flushing at the Ritz

Okay, so we can’t afford to stay there, but the post-renovation re-openings of the Hotel Ritz and the Hotel de Crillon are still exciting. We like to stop into the bars to pretend that we’ll have a drink and splurge, but actually we’ll just use their impeccable bathrooms when nature calls. Why not?

10. New Paris Philharmonic opens

The opening of the new Paris Philharmonic, a building designed by Jean Nouvel, will “revolutionize music in Paris” according to some, but we’re just excited to see the final architectural product. Way up in the 19th arrondissement, it’s sure to have an impact on the neighborhood at least. Check their site for the 2015 program.

9. Navigo gets simpler

Those monthly Navigo passes for the Metro can get tricky, but in 2015 it all gets easier. For monthly subscribers—so students, long-stay visitors, expats—the new fee is €70 for all zones, so there’s no need to buy extra tickets to get out to CDG or Versailles. Thanks for making things easier, Paris!

Related: Will buying a Navigo Pass help save you money?

8. Taxi changes

See them while they’re still here! Those green taxi stands with the buttons that you press in vain while calling a cab? They’re on their way out, to be replaced with a smartphone app. At the moment, Parisian taxi drivers aren’t happy, already facing competition from Uber. We’ll see how the story develops.

The Grand Palais is one of the most beautiful spaces in Paris, and 2015 welcomes a host of world-class art. Photo: Pierre-Louis F.

7. MOMA and Gaultier at the Grand Palais

The Louvre in Abu Dhabi will be stealing a lot of the attention on French art in 2015, but there will be no shortage of great shows going on, especially at the Grand Palais. Modern art from the San Francisco MOMA will headline one show in April-June alongside another featuring French fashion’s bad boy Jean-Paul Gaultier (April 1-August 3).

Another much-anticipated Picasso exhibit, featuring his works compared to those of other famous artists, should be up in the fall also at the Grand Palais. But then, there’s also a lot happening at the Orsay, the Petit Palais, the Palais de Tokyo, the Louvre, the Carnavalet…

6. New Generator Hostel powers up

European chain Generator is opening up its newest youth hostel boasting 916 beds in the 10th arrondissement. The hostel isn’t your dad’s backpacker hostel, featuring more a more upscale design that might attract business travelers looking for a deal. And with rooms starting at 25 euros, who could blame them?

Related: The best cheap hotels in Paris 

5. “Best City for Students”

Paris was named best city for students in 2015 by the QS report, beating out London and Melbourne. With so many student discounts, free cultural offerings, affordable student living, and a concentration of good inexpensive schools, we totally agree. (So maybe take that semester abroad now, right?)

Pedestrians will have more room to stretch their legs next year in the central districts of Paris. Photo: David McSpadden

4. Cars out of the center

Adieu, we say to the cars, adieu. The mayor has proposed addressing air pollution by restricting the number of cars in the central first four arrondissements in Paris. By allowing only cars from residents, deliveries, and other necessary vehicles, she hopes to make the historic center more pedestrian and bike friendly, and a whole lot cleaner. Diesel fuel is also on the chopping block…

3. “Tastes of Paris” in late May

We’re not about to throw down a few hundred euros for a Michelin star dining experience in Paris. Not yet at least. But the country’s most famous chefs are bringing their dishes to the public at the first ever Tastes of Paris event at the Grand Palais, May 21-25. Names like Ducasse and Robuchon will be there, offering tastings of their famous fare—with much more enticing prices.

Related: Eating cheap in Paris with 8 dinners for €10 or less

2. Race up the Tour Eiffel in March

Sure the Paris Marathon is attracting tens of thousands of people to Paris in April, but the Eco Trail run, held just a few weeks before on March 21, is offering a historic opportunity to run up the city’ most iconic monument, the Eiffel Tower herself. If you’re an experienced runner, enter the lottery to win a spot among the 40 runners to be selected for the “Verticale Tour Eiffel” race in March.

You can never have enough baguettes in Paris. Photo: Paul Asman

1. Baguettes

And if nothing else, I hear that Paris still makes some good baguettes… You know, if nothing else. Here’s a list of the 2014 winners for the “Grand Prix de la Meilleure Baguette” (Grand Prize for the Best Baguettes). Why not check them all out?

The post 15 reasons to visit Paris in 2015 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.