navigo

Navigo is the contactless smart card system used for most public transport in the Île-de-France region, including Paris. It is managed by Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM) in partnership with the region’s transit operators, and it enables stored-value tickets, time-based passes, and various fare products that can be used on metro, RER, Transilien trains, buses, and trams.

The system offers several card types. The Navigo Pass holds weekly or monthly passes for specific travel zones and can include an annual option. Navigo Découverte is a blue card intended for non-residents that can be registered to hold Navigo passes and journeys, and it typically requires a photograph for registration. Navigo Easy is a reusable card designed for pay-as-you-go travel or occasional use, on which individual tickets or selected passes can be loaded. Each option is designed to simplify fare collection across multiple operators within the Île-de-France network.

Acquiring a Navigo card typically involves visiting a station or an authorized outlet. For Navigo Découverte, registration often requires providing a photo; Navigo Easy generally requires no photo. Once activated, users validate each trip by tapping the card on a reader at turnstiles or on boarding devices on buses. In most cases, tapping is required to validate entry, and on some services, the same action applies when boarding the vehicle.

Prices and validity depend on zone coverage and the length of the chosen period, with weekly, monthly, or annual terms available. The Navigo system provides a unified fare structure across multiple operators, aiming to simplify travel and fare management for residents and visitors across the Île-de-France region.