Your timing with this upload was perfect. We leave for Paris in a few days and I’ve been watching many videos including using the Metro. This is by far the best and easiest to understand. Well done!
I hope you have a FANTASTIC trip, Scott. And I’m SO glad that you’re finding this video helpful. I’m VERY grateful for your feedback. It means the world to me!
As Seniors we have navigated the Paris metro during two of our trips to France. Both times we have studied the metro maps prior to travelling and were met with challenges once because of a line shut down and the second time due to Navigo easy cards mail functioning, ie, didn’t work.can you clarify please .? Do these metro cards be affected by storing them inside a small cross body bag close to a credit card. Mine certainly seemed to be affected and even though we had it reactivated, it repeatedly refused to work over several trips. It became so unreliable. At the end of our trip, we decided to travel to CDG during lunch hour( big mistake), and couldn’t purchase an RER ticket from a machine. We used an assistance phone where the attendant just opened the turnstyle remotely and then we were fined as we tried to exit at the airport. Our Navigo easy cards were scanned with 6 tickets still on them and were siezed and we were fined 35€ instead of 50€. Frustrating experience. Still did ALOT of walking and enjoyed our other experiences. Any explanation please, or just bad experience?
This is an excellent video covering a lot of important tips! Thank you and I will watch others. The Paris metro can be overwhelming and I also prefer to walk as much as possible.
I found your video is detail for my 1st trip to Paris on 5/14. Thank you. But honestly I kind of stress out because the back ground music you set up kind of loud & upbeat sound. Too pressure for me. Thanks for the tips any way.
If you have an NFC capable android phone, yes! Be sure to check out my 2nd metro video where I answer that question in depth and a ton more. It gives you even more insight and tips on how to use the metro system in Paris as it’s not quite as user friendly as the Oyster.
went to Paris from the 22nd to 25th it went rather well, i just had issues with my Belgian Mobile operator not working sometimes it wouldn't scan or i couldn't straight up buy nothing cause it displayed an error on the app, on the first day at least then i got the hang of it.
Hey nice video! If i want to reach to somewhere and it takes 2 bus rides (need to transit), do we pay for 2 tickets or only one? Because in metro we only pay 1 ticket even though we are transit a lot as long as we don't leave the exit
Curious about fares for children. My duaghter (8yrs) and I have 4 days, 1 of which we will be travelling to Disney and back, we arrive at ORY and will depart CDG. (Thursday to Sunday)Thanks for any advice as to which pass to look at.
Children between the ages of 4-9 are half the rate of an adult fare. The trip to Disney and the airports require separate tickets as they’re locations outside of Paris intramuros - they don’t qualify for the Navigo easy pass or Paris metro paper tickets. It’s hard to suggest without knowing your itinerary but I’d say just buying some individual tickets for each day as your stay is so short.
They will issue the citation and it’ll be more expensive the longer you wait to pay. The cheapest and easiest option is to pay immediately at the time of the fine, in person. Be sure to retain verification of payment in the case that the paperwork is processed incorrectly.
Hello! Just a reminder that Navigo easy doesn’t have a start day of the week. Only Navigo découverte. You can purchase the découverte with the government photo ID. The ticket is valid for one week (Monday to Sunday). It is on sale from Friday for the following week.
Yes, I live in Paris alone and can attest that it is a safe city. I always exercise common sense and caution, am aware of scams and pickpockets - it is a city after all, and has it’s typical challenges.
Children under 4 years old travel free everywhere on the metro, RER, bus and tram network, provided they do not occupy a seat. Children under 10 years old travel with reduced rate tickets: 50% on booklets of 10 T+ tickets loaded on Navigo Easy pass/phone and 50% on Origin-Destination tickets (unit or booklet). From 10 years old, you purchase full price tickets.
Bring your own picture (sized 25x30mm, face only) from 1 hour walmart or inkjet printer. Those Photo kiosks are EIGHT EUROS per person for a 10 cent picture.
Your video is very helpful. Can I use the same ticket I used coming from CDG airport RER train to local metro trains ? Do I have to exit the train to transfer ? Hotel is around trocadero. Thank you.
@@jennym3966 thanks, Jenny! I’m so glad you found my video helpful. As mentioned in this video, once you exit the metro, your ride is over, the ticket is cancelled. In your situation, it sounds like you can ride from the airport to your Paris city center metro stop no problem. Just don’t get confused and exit the metro too soon. That being said, Paris is only about 5 miles wide by 7 miles long. She’s very walkable and that’s my preferred method of travel in the city!
What is a contactless credit card? I'm American, and I have a CREDIT CARD. I'm not aware of the banks offering Contactless Credit Cards along with standard Credit Cards. Also, you stated the Easy pass expires every Sunday. How come you don't say when the Decouverte tickets on your Decouverte pass expire.
Hello, Kelly! How are you? You must be excited for your trip. Contactless payment is a way of paying that doesn’t require cash or even swiping a card. All you have to do is tap or hold your contactless card or smartphone near a compatible card reader while you’re checking out. Contactless cards let you tap or wave your card over the card reader-no swiping required. Most smartphones are also equipped with contactless payment technology. Some locations in France still require a debit or credit card with a PIN code, including the Paris metro counter and automated machines. And whoops! I think you have things mixed up a bit. The Découverte card is the one that expires weekly. The Navigo EASY doesn’t expire like that - the tickets remain valid for ten years after purchase.
@@ThisFrenchLife Hi. All credit cards in the U.S. have been contactless for years then. They’ve all come with chip technology for many many years now. But we all have Apple Pay on our Apple iphones so I haven’t pulled out our credit cards to use physically in years. We don’t use the word contactless as it’s been a way of life here for such a long time that that word isn’t used anymore. That’s what threw me in your vlog. I know French credit cards still need a PIN number, but I understand the card readers know the difference between a French and an American credit card as everyone comments that American credit cards don’t get asked a PIN number. I wish our American machines did. Then that would prevent people who find dropped or lost credit cards from using them. Thank you for your vlogs!! Thanks for letting me know the tickets are good for 10 years. That was my biggest concern.
@@Kelly-tj8xv You’re welcome. As a fellow American, I understand how some of these differences can be challenging when traveling. But know that a debit card with a PIN code works just fine here - but don’t forget to alert your bank that you’ll be in France! Stay tuned for all new Paris metro content coming VERY soon. If you’re not subscribed, consider joining! I have so much fun stuff planned for this year. ☺️ Bon voyage, Kelly, and enjoy your trip.
@@ThisFrenchLife thank you - but I can load the tickits on the Decouverte (and to /from CDG ? I'm staying for 21 days but arriving on a Friday I know week ticket won't start till Monday but would like to explor on Saturday and Sunday...
Yes, you do need to be aware of taxi scams. I have written about this on my blog and website. You can visit my site and use the search bar for “taxi” and my posts on the topic will appear.
It is supposed to be a French government ID. There’s a particular size and approved style for that. Photomaton booze in most metro and train stations offer this service. It’s an automated booth system, however, the additional cost and time it takes to go through this process is one of the many reasons why I don’t necessarily suggest the Navigo Découverte card unless you’re returning to Paris frequently or there for long-term basis. Even as a resident, I don’t use that card. I use the Navigo easy pass instead.
It’s hard to share an accurate response without knowing more details. I am sorry you experienced that. I suggest you contact Paris Metro official for more support.