I'm back from my trip (had an amazing, wonderful time) and wanted to share some practical tips for obtaining the Navigo pass and then loading it with funds.

I purchased the Navigo pass and holder for 5E from the attendant in the booth at a metro station. I had brought my own photo (I think the dimensions are 2.5 cm x 3.5 cm) to paste onto in the indicated spot. Otherwise, most stations have a photo booth for just this purpose.

Before the fare gates, there are ATM-like machines for loading money onto your Navigo. I don't remember if there was an option to go through the steps in English, but if not, it was simple enough to understand the French, I think. Anyway, you choose the number of zones you want the pass for (for most tourists, zones 1 & 2 are sufficient) and you choose the duration - I think the options are for a week (Monday-Sunday) or more. For the weekly pass it was 16,80E.

You put the pass you purchased up against the machine in the indicated spot. As for payment, this is where I had a bit of a trip up. I tried to pay with a credit card, but it didn't accept them, although there was nothing on the machine to indicate what the accepted payment methods were. I think it only accepts debit cards and cash (bills and coins). Once I figured that out, I paid with cash, the card got loaded and I was on my way. The turnstiles have a spot on them to pass your Navigo over and through you go. On buses, there's a spot as you get on the bus.

Twice while I was there, inspectors were out to check people's tickets. You simply give them your Navigo, they hold it up to a handheld machine to see if it's valid.

Navigo worked out very well for me. I think it pays for itself in like 12 or 13 trips and I used mine well over 30. And the pass and holder are good for 10 years.

Bobette-- I saw signs saying that Carte Orange will no longer be accepted after July 31.

Is the Navigo like the Oyster Card in London? If you wanted to use it just for a single trip one week, for example, will it debit off the cost of one ticket from your 'account' automatically after you have made the trip?

Or can you only load a Carte Orange zonal pass onto your Navigo?

No, apparently that's in the works for some point in the future, but for now you can only load either the weekly or monthly Carte Orange in your choice of zones.

Regarding asdca's comment about the machines, normally those require a credit/debit card with a compatible smart chip in it; if you tried a card with only a magnetic strip, that would explain why it didn't work. Otherwise, you can go to the ticket window to have them load it using your credit card.

That was very prompt - thanks iff

Thanks for the update, tranmerechris. Glad you had a good trip.

Bobette

I don't think the 5 euro fee for the navigo is refundable. The 3 pound fee one pays for the london oyster card is refundable.
[There is another form of the navigo, for paris residents, which does not charge a fee...is this still the case?]

No, the 5-euro fee is not refundable. The pass is good for 10 years, though, so it can be used during future visits as well.

The regular Navigo for residents is still available. You have to submit an application with a local address, and the pass will be mailed to that address (usually within a couple of weeks, but that may vary).

I have found that US credit cards sometimes work in the automatic machines, sometimes not. But the manned ticket windows can also add a week or month subscription to a Navigo and they do take US credit cards.

Actually, it was me (asdca) who gave the update and had the great trip ;)

I couldn't hear a word the person in the booth was saying to me (the microphone wasn't working) so I felt like I was left to my own devices when it came to loading the Carte Orange onto the Navigo. Good to know I could have done it at the booth.

I think there is a euro threshold on the machines that requires a card with a chip. I was always able to use my US credit card to purchase a one-way trip to the airport or a carnet of metro tickets. I think I could even purchase a 1-week Carte Orange with my US credit card. However, I was never able to purchase a 1-month Carte Orange with my US credit card at the machines.

No, I don't think so. Over time I've tried to buy carnets from machines at various metro stations with a US credit card, and it's worked at some but not at others (for example, worked at Boissière but not at Vaugirard or rue du Bac).

Separate machines are used to recharge the Navigo passes but I've never tried a US credit card in any of those.

Sorry 'bout that, asdca :). So, when will we be reading your trip report?

Bobette

I bought my Navigo Decouverte at the CDG RER station. Never put my picture on it, though.

Card worked like a champ and was a great deal.

You can also do it at various merchants--tobacconists, for example--that sell metro tickets. Here's a directory by arrondissement:
http://www.ratp.info/informer/deposi...aire_index.php
If you click on "Où est ce ?", a window will pop up showing the location.

I don't know whether you can get the Navigo Découverte pass itself there but you can certainly load it. You can buy ticket carnets and other passes (e.g., Mobilis) there as well.

Did you ever encounter the RATP personnel checking tickets? Just curious to know how they would handle the lack of photo.

I suspect the consequences might depend on the agent: Some may simply scold you while others may make you pay a fine.