HOW TO GET YOUR NAVIGO CARD IN PARIS
If you’re in Paris and get around the city using public transportation, you’ll need to get a Navigo Card. For a monthly fee, you will be able to get around in one of the world's most efficient public transportation systems. I will tell you some things I wish I knew before going to the process of getting the Navigo card.
DECIDE THE ZONE COMBINATION FITS YOUR NEEDS
Depending on where you live and where you need to go, you’ll have to decide what zone combination you want to purchase. There are five zones in the Parisian public transportation system, zones 1-3 are for the city of Paris only, and zones 3-5 are for the suburbs and airports.
The cost to use all zones is €75.2 a month, if you’re not sure where you’re going to go just like I wasn’t, I recommend getting all 5 zones. If you know the zones you’re going to and coming from in Paris, think twice as it was nice to be able to get to the occasional event outside the city or get to the airport for a weekend getaway without being worried about the control catching you and fining you. If you decide on a combination of 2 zones then it costs €68.60 a month for zones 2-3, €66.80 a month for zones 3-4, and €65.20 a month for zones 4-5. In addition to these costs, there'll be a one time €5.00 cost for the cost of the card itself.
GET YOUR DOCUMENTS IN ORDER
Just like any other french process, you'll need your paperwork...State Issued Identification
Passport worked for me.
European Bank Account Info
Proof of Address
A letter from the place you live or a bill in your name.
Head to an RATP Location
There’s a couple of them around the city, I personally went to the one in Gare St. Lazare since it was closer to me.
At the office:
- Make sure you give yourself 1-2 hours to be there as there are always people there making line.
- If you’re not too confident with your French, make sure you have written in French what you anticipate to tell them…. Don’t expect anyone in the RATP location to speak French.
Voila!
- Alan
