Ruth Haines
Paris Metro does not accept direct credit card payments. You can, however, use your credit card to purchase a Navigo Pass, either physical or digital, at the vending machines. You can also use your credit card to buy tickets on your phone through the Bonjour RATP app. It is important to note that American Express cards are not accepted at the vending machines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you use a credit card to pay for the Paris Metro? | No, you can't pay directly with a credit card. |
| What can you use to pay for the Paris Metro? | You can use a Navigo Pass, either physical or digital, and top it up with the ticket of your choice. You can also buy a paper ticket at the vending machines. |
| Can you use a credit card to buy a Navigo Pass? | Yes, you can buy the tickets for the Navigo Pass with your credit card at the machines. |
| Can you use a credit card to pay for the Paris Airport Metro? | No, the airport is excluded. |
| Can you use a US credit card to buy metro tickets in Paris? | Yes, but only if it has a chip. If it is chip and signature, you can ignore the PIN request and the purchase will proceed for anything less than 75 euros. |
| Can you use a contactless credit card to pay for the Paris Metro? | No, you can't use contactless credit cards to tap in and out at stations. |
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What You'll Learn
Using a US credit card in Paris
Credit cards are widely accepted in Paris and throughout France. Using a credit card can be easier than handling euros, especially if you are not familiar with the local currency. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using a US credit card in Paris.
First, it is important to notify your card company before you travel. While this is not always necessary for in-person purchases, it may be required for online purchases such as museum tickets. Additionally, some credit card issuers charge foreign transaction fees for purchases made abroad, which can add up over time. So, it is worth checking with your card company about any potential fees and considering getting a card that does not charge these fees, such as Capital One.
When it comes to using your US credit card for transportation in Paris, there are a few things to keep in mind. You cannot use your credit card to pay directly for the Paris Metro. Instead, you will need to obtain a Navigo Pass, either physical or digital, and top it up with tickets. You can buy these tickets at vending machines using your credit card, but American Express is not accepted. Alternatively, you can download the Bonjour RATP app and purchase tickets on your phone. At some stations, you may also be able to pay contactless with your credit card.
It is worth noting that while credit cards are widely accepted in Paris, there may be some instances where cash is required or preferred. For example, some smaller businesses or street vendors may only accept cash for purchases under a certain amount, typically €5 or €10. Additionally, it is always a good idea to have some cash on hand in case of emergencies or if you are unable to use your credit card for any reason.
Overall, using a US credit card in Paris should not be a problem, but it is important to be mindful of potential fees and to have a backup option, such as cash or a debit card, in case your credit card is not accepted at a particular location.
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Buying a Navigo pass with a credit card
Paris has a well-developed metro system, and there are several ways to pay for your journey. You can use a Navigo pass, a physical ticket, or your smartphone.
If you want to buy a Navigo pass, you can do so with a credit card. The Navigo pass is a multi-use transit card that can be used on the Paris Metro, RER, Transilien Regional trains, buses, and trams. It is available as a physical card or a digital pass on your phone.
To buy a Navigo pass with a credit card, you can go to a ticket window at major Paris train stations, such as Gare du Nord. You will need to bring a colour photo of yourself (3cm tall x 2.5cm wide) and your credit card. The Navigo Decouverte pass costs €31.60, plus a €5 fee for the physical card. If you choose to use the digital pass on your phone, there is no card fee.
When purchasing a Navigo pass with a credit card, it is important to note that American Express is not accepted. Visa and Mastercard credit cards are accepted.
Additionally, if you are using a chip-and-signature card, you may encounter issues as these machines typically require a PIN. However, for purchases under €75, you can simply ignore the PIN request, and the transaction should go through.
You can also add a Navigo card to your smartphone's wallet app, such as Apple Wallet, and purchase passes directly through the app using your credit card. This allows you to tap your phone at the turnstiles to enter the metro.
Other Options for Payment
If you prefer not to use a Navigo pass, you can also purchase physical tickets from vending machines at the metro stations. These machines accept cash and credit cards. Alternatively, you can use your smartphone to buy tickets through apps like Bonjour RATP, which supports Apple Pay, Carte Bleue, Visa, and Mastercard.
It is worth noting that paper tickets are being phased out, and some stations may no longer offer them. Additionally, you cannot use American credit cards to purchase paper tickets from the vending machines.
So, while you can use a credit card to buy a Navigo pass or tickets for the Paris metro, the specific payment methods and options may vary depending on your card type and the station.
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Contactless credit card payments
If you are using a physical credit card, it must have a chip to be read by the ticket kiosks. If your card is chip and signature, you can insert it into the kiosk and ignore any requests for a PIN; the purchase will go through for amounts under €75. However, if your card is chip and PIN, you will need to enter your PIN.
If you are using a US credit card, you can buy a Navigo Easy Pass for €2 and load it with tickets. You can do this at a ticket counter or at the vending machines. The Navigo Easy Card is a good option for those without a smartphone.
It is worth noting that paper tickets are being phased out, but they can still be purchased at some stations.
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Using a credit card without a PIN
You cannot use a credit card directly to pay for the Paris Metro. However, you can use a credit card to purchase a Navigo Pass at the vending machines. This is a physical or digital pass that you can top up with the ticket of your choice. You can also use a credit card to buy a paper ticket at the vending machines.
If your credit card does not have a PIN, you can still use it to purchase a metro ticket. When the machine asks for a PIN, simply ignore it and wait. The purchase will proceed for amounts less than 50 or 75 euros.
Some travellers have reported that their chip and signature cards were not accepted by the machines. In this case, you may need to contact your card-issuing bank. You can also try purchasing a ticket at a ticket window with cash or use contactless payment if your card has tap-to-pay capability.
It is worth noting that American Express (AmEx) credit cards are rarely accepted in France, so it is recommended to use Visa or Mastercard instead.
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Buying metro tickets with a credit card
Paris Metro does not support contactless payment by tapping your credit or debit card. However, you can use your credit card to buy a Navigo Pass, either physical or digital, at the vending machines in metro stations. You can also buy the tickets for the Navigo Pass with your credit card at the machines. American Express is not accepted at the vending machines.
If you have a chip and signature card, you can use it to buy metro tickets without a PIN. When the machine prompts you for a PIN, wait for a minute, and the purchase will proceed for anything less than €75. This method has been verified by multiple travellers and was working as recently as November last year.
If you have a chip and PIN card, you will need to enter your PIN to complete the transaction.
You can also use your smartphone to buy tickets. You can pay by Apple Pay, Carte Bleue, Visa, or Mastercard. You can also use the Bonjour RATP app to load tickets onto your phone.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you cannot pay directly with a credit card. You will need to obtain a Navigo Pass, download an app, or buy a paper ticket at the vending machines. You can, however, use your credit card to buy the tickets for the Navigo Pass at the machines.
Yes, you can use a US credit card to buy tickets for the Navigo Pass. However, make sure your card has a chip as the machines can tell the difference between a chip and pin and a chip and signature.
You can punch in a random PIN like 1111 or 9999, and the machine will still approve the transaction. If it asks for a PIN, wait for a minute, and the process will continue without one.
No, Paris Metro stations do not work with contactless credit cards. You will need to buy physical tickets or passes or load virtual tickets or passes onto your mobile phone.
Yes, you can buy a return ticket at the airport. You can also buy 10 tickets at a time, but there is no discount for buying in bulk.
