RATP – Paris Public Transport

What public transport options do you have in Paris?

• Metro: The Paris Metro has a sixteen-line metro system. Click here to see the full network. 
• Tramway: Paris has a eleven-line tramway network. 
• Bus: The buses cover all areas in and around of Paris, there is also a convenient night bus system. 
• Bicycle: The best way to get around is via the city’s bike-sharing system called “Velib“. They have many stations across the city and a corresponding app. Paris is working on building more and more cycling lanes and bike-friendly infrastructure, hoping to become a cyclist-friendly city.

RATP Paris

The RATP was created on 1 January 1949 by combining the Compagnie du chemin de fer métropolitain de Paris (CMP). CMP operated the Paris Métro, and the Société des transports en commun de la région parisienne (STCRP), the city’s bus system. By the time the STCRP was merged into the RATP, all of its streetcars had been replaced by bus routes.

RATP’s services in the Greater Paris area include 16 metro lines, 5 RER lines, 11 tramway lines, 351 bus lines2 BRT (bus rapid transit) lines, and one Orlyval connecting the airport to the RER B, and last but not least, the Montmartre funicular which helps you avoid climbing 270 steps to the top of the hill.

What is the RATP Carte Navigo?

The Carte Navigo, formerly called the Pass Navigo, is a contactless smart card for access to the RATP transport system. 

How do I get a Carte Navigo? 

The good thing is that there is a website in English making it a bit easier to navigate. You have three options to choose from:

1. Single Tickets
2. Daily Tickets
3. Travel Cards and Passes

If you’re moving here permanently and will be using RATP regularly, the Navigo Annual is the way to go, if you don’t want to commit to an annual subscription you can choose Navigo Monthly which costs the same. There are more options, check them out here.

The Navigo covers all of the Île-de-France. You can use it to get to the Marais, but also to go to Versailles or Disneyland. It includes all metros, RERs, buses, you can even turn your Navigo card into a key for the Velib’ bikes. It’s a mighty tool, and as of January 2022 even includes free entry and reductions on Paris museums, cinemas and events, to quote from their page: 

“147 cinemas await you, as well as major museums such as the Quai Branly, Orsay, the Centre Pompidou, the Jeu de Paume and the Centquatre. Theatres and concert halls will welcome your applause: the Opéra Comique, the Théâtre Jean Vilar, the Théâtre Nanterre-Amandiers, the Bouffes du Nord or the Théâtre du Châtelet... Festivals and cultural fairs have also joined the list of partners: Peacock Society, Rock en Seine, We Love Green, Mama Festival, Salon du Livre Jeunesse… Finally, cultural and heritage sites open their doors to you for an exciting visit: the Institut du Monde Arabe, the Château de Maisons, the Opéra Garnier, France Miniature, the Ballon de Paris, the Basilique de Saint-Denis, the Maison de la culture du Japon, the Cité de la Musique…” Find out more here.

Note: By law, your employer has to pay 50% of your public transport costs. This usually is automatically reimbursed in your paycheck.

How much is a RATP Carte Navigo?

Navigo Annual costs €84,10 per month (50% reimbursed by your employer) and you need to register online or in person. You can pay upfront at the beginning of the year or by automatic monthly bank transfer with no time limit. It can be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without charge.

Where can I buy a Carte Navigo?

Click here and select “Navigo Annual Ticket”. Here is where the website switches to French, but we got you ????

1. Click on this link, scroll to the bottom and click “Continuer”
2. Create a login with your email address and a password
3. Before confirming you have the choice to select between “J’ai un passe Navigo ou je finance le passe Navigo d’une tierce personne” meaning you already have a Navigo and are buying an additional one, or “Je n’ai pas de passe Navigo” which means you do not have a Navigo yet. Choose the appropriate option and continue?
4. Choose your plan, click “continuer”
5. Add your personal information
6. Choose how you want to get your Navigo, you have the option “Recevoir à l’adresse ci-dessus” meaning they will post it to the address you have given, this takes less than 10 days after your application is validated or “Retirer dans un point de vente” meaning you can pick it up at a station, this takes less than 72h after your application is validated.
7. Upload a picture of yourself: your face, no hats, in colour, no larger than 10MB and in the format JPEG, GIF or PNG. If you have a webcam you can take the picture directly on the page.
8. Now it’s time to pay. Add your BIC and IBAN for monthly payments or pay the whole ride in one go with a card payment.
9. Last thing to do is to sign electronically, and then your application is sent for validation and in around a week you should have your Navigo!