Traveling around Paris by public transport is about to get a lot less complicated, and for many, a lot cheaper with a major change that will sweep away the five zones that determine fare and create a single price for each trip, no matter its length.
There's a fare increase built into the system, too, but only for those whose travel is limited to one or two of the old zones. The base price of a ticket for Metro or the RER commuter system will rise from €2.15 to €2.50, but the multi-zone trips that previously could push the total up to €5 will now be capped at the base price.
Since many of the lowest-paid workers in the Ile-de-France region live in the less-expensive outer suburbs, they will especially benefit from the new system.
Bus and tram fares, now also €2.15, will drop to €2, but there will still be no free transfer between bus and rail fares; two tickets will still be needed. Airport fares, which have varied between €10.30 and €16.60 will now be a flat €13 to or from either airport.
Daily all-you-can-ride passes, which have had a bewildering range of options depending on the number of zones involved will now be a flat €12, about halfway between the previous cheapest and most expensive versions.
The Navigo monthly and annual subscription passes will not be affected. For visitors spending several days in the region, there are two choices to pick from. There's the €12 24-hour pass that doesn't include the airport, or a Navigo Day Ticket at €20.60 that does. Since three days of the €12 pass cost €36 and a weekly pass, including airport costs €30.75, it's likely the better bargain.
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