Paying For Buses In France: A Guide

France has an excellent public transportation system, with trains, metros, and buses that can take you anywhere in the country. Paris, in particular, boasts the greatest public transport system in the country, with 16 metro lines that can get you anywhere in the city. If you're looking to explore France by bus, there are a few things you should know about how to pay for your trips. You can buy bus tickets at guichets (ticket offices), newsagents, café-tabacs, and from automatic ticket machines. These tickets can be used on the metro and RER within the city limits as well. If you're staying in Paris for a week or more, you might want to consider getting a weekly Passe Navigo, which you can use on buses, metros, and the RER. This pass can also be used in all Île-de-France, allowing you to travel to places like Fontainebleau and Versailles.

Buy a ticket at a machine or office before boarding

If you want to buy a bus ticket in France, you can do so at a machine or office before boarding.

In Paris, you can buy a ticket at any Metro station. There are 16 Metro lines in Paris, and stations are identified by street signs displaying a large "M". You can also buy tickets at newsagents and café-tabacs.

If you're staying in Paris, it may be more cost-effective to get a weekly Passe Navigo. You can buy one at any Metro station, and you'll need a passport-sized photo. You can use your Passe Navigo on buses, Metros, and the RER.

You can also buy bus tickets in Paris with the "Bonjour ratp" app. With this app, you can buy your tickets whenever and wherever you want from your phone.

Validate your ticket on the bus

When you board the bus, you will need to validate your ticket by locating a machine in the front or middle of the bus, usually near the driver, and getting your ticket punched. Failure to validate your ticket can result in a fine if there is a ticket inspection.

The machine that validates your ticket is typically yellow and can be found behind the driver. If the machine is at the front of the bus, you will need to enter the bus through the front door. However, if the machine is in the middle of the bus, you can board through either the front or middle doors.

If you are transferring to another bus, you can use the same ticket, but only if the transfer occurs within 90 minutes of the first validation and the buses are not on the same line. You will need to revalidate your ticket on the second bus.

Please note that if you buy a ticket from the driver, you cannot use that ticket for a transfer. Additionally, you cannot combine bus and metro/RER travel on the same ticket.

Use a weekly pass for unlimited travel

If you're planning on staying in Paris for a week or more, it may be more cost-effective to get a weekly pass for unlimited travel. This is a great option if you plan on using multiple modes of transport, such as buses, the Metro, and the RER.

The weekly "Passe Navigo" is available for purchase at any Metro station in Paris. To buy one, you'll need a passport-sized photo. The pass costs €22.80, plus the cost of the card itself, which is €5. This card is valid for all zones, so you can travel anywhere in the city without having to worry about additional charges. The pass is valid from Monday to Sunday, and you can buy it any day of the week except Friday.

The "Passe Navigo" can also be used outside of Paris in the Île-de-France region. This includes popular destinations such as Fontainebleau, Versailles, and Provins.

Pay for tickets with your phone

Paying for Bus Tickets with Your Phone in France

If you're looking to pay for bus tickets with your phone in France, there are a few options available to you, depending on your location and phone model. Here's a detailed guide to help you navigate the process:

Paris

In Paris, you can use your phone to purchase and validate bus tickets. Here are the steps you can follow:

• Download the Required App: The official app for purchasing tickets is called "Bonjour RATP." You can download it on your smartphone and use it to buy T+ tickets and Navigo monthly and weekly travel passes.
• Purchase Tickets or Passes: Using the "Bonjour RATP" app, you can buy T+ tickets, which are valid for a single journey on the bus, Metro, or RER within Paris and its immediate suburbs. You can also purchase Navigo passes, which offer unlimited travel across different transport modes in Paris and the Île-de-France region.
• Validate Your Ticket: Once you have your ticket or pass on your phone, remember to validate it each time you board a bus. Look for the validation machine, usually located near the bus entrance.
• Use Your Ticket or Pass: Your validated ticket allows you to make unlimited connections within a 90-minute period on other bus and tram lines. However, please note that you cannot use the same ticket for a round trip on the same line or to get off and then back on the same bus.

Outside Paris

If you're travelling outside of Paris, the options for paying with your phone may vary. Here are a few methods you can consider:

• SMS Ticketing: In some regions of France, you can purchase bus tickets by sending an SMS from your phone. This option is available on certain bus routes in the Île-de-France region. Check the local transport authority's website or ask a bus driver for more information.
• NFC-enabled Android Phones: If you have an NFC-capable Android phone, you may be able to use the official IDF Mobilités app to buy and store tickets. You can then validate your ticket by tapping your phone on the Navigo pads, which are usually purple or blue, on buses and trams.
• Apple Wallet (As of 2024): As of 2024, iPhone users can use their devices as a Navigo Easy pass by adding it to their Apple Wallet. This allows you to purchase and store tickets on your iPhone, similar to the Android option mentioned above.

General Tips:

• Plan Ahead: It's always a good idea to familiarise yourself with the local transport system before your trip. Check the official websites or apps of the transport authorities in the region you're visiting for the latest information.
• Alternative Options: While paying by phone is convenient, it's good to know your alternatives. In Paris, for example, you can also buy tickets at ticket offices, newsagents, café-tabacs, or automatic ticket machines. These machines are usually found at metro, bus, tramway, and RER stations.
• Validate Your Ticket: Remember to validate your ticket each time you board a bus or make a connection. This is an important step to ensure your ticket is considered valid during inspections.

Use the same ticket for the metro, RER, and bus

The Paris Metro and RER system is an excellent way to get around the city and its suburbs. The RER (Regional Light Rail) shares stations with the Metro, and both can be used with the same ticket. The RER is particularly useful for reaching the airports and other suburban centres.

The standard ticket (Ticket t+) allows you to travel on any metro or RER line inside the city limits (Zone 1). This ticket can also be used on Paris buses, although tickets purchased on buses are not valid on the Metro or RER. Tickets can be purchased from machines or counters at stations, or on board buses.

The Ticket t+ is valid for 90 minutes of unlimited travel and transfer within the Metro, and one transfer between the Metro and RER. You can change metro lines as much as you like without exiting the Metro system, but you can only pass through one RER turnstile. You must keep your ticket until you exit the Metro station, as inspectors may ask to see it.

If you plan to use public transport frequently during your stay in Paris, it may be more economical to purchase a Paris Metro pass, such as the Passe Navigo. This weekly pass can be bought at any Metro station and used on buses, Metros, and the RER.

Frequently asked questions