New metro rules in Paris: How do you travel most economically with your class?
Starting Jan. 1, 2025, Paris is making significant changes to the metro system. This will impact school groups exploring the city, especially for trips outside the center, such as to Disneyland or Versailles.
In this blog, you'll find out exactly what's changing, which tickets are cheapest for groups and how to plan your school trip smartly using public transportation.
What exactly is changing?
1. Flat fare for metro and RER
From January 1, 2025, a uniform fare will be introduced for travel within the Île-de-France region. This means:
€2.50 per metro, train or RER ride, regardless of distance or number of zones (except airports).
€2.00 per bus and streetcar ride.
This makes travel easier because you no longer have to think about zones and different fares for each destination.
2. Paper tickets disappear
All classic paper subway tickets will disappear. Travelers will have to switch to digital alternatives such as Navigo Easy or the Navigo Jour pass.
3. Disneyland and Versailles cheaper to reach
Because the new fare system will be zone-free, a one-way trip to Disneyland Paris or Versailles will cost only €2.50 per person. This is a huge savings compared to the old fares, where trips to these destinations were much more expensive.
Which ticket options are most economical for a school group?
For a school trip, the choice depends on how often you use public transportation and which destinations you visit.
1. Navigo Easy - Good for single trips
Costs €2 for the card, then rechargeable with tickets (€2.50 each).
Beneficial if you take a maximum of 4-5 trips per day.
Valid for rides to Disneyland and Versailles.
Not usable for airports.
💡 Best option for: groups traveling mainly in Paris and needing only a few rides.
2. Navigo Jour - Unlimited travel for one day.
Costs €8.45 for Paris (zones 1-2) or €20.60 for all zones (including airports).
Valid on metro, bus, streetcar and RER, including Disneyland and Versailles.
Useful if you travel a lot in one day.
💡 Best option for: groups having an intensive day with many subway and train rides.
3. Groupes Scolaires Ticket - Special discount for school groups.
Available to official EU school groups with students under 16 years of age.
Cheaper than single tickets, especially if you travel a lot.
This is subject to certain conditions :
https://www.ratp.fr/titres-et-tarifs/billet-groupes-jeunes-scolaires
Additional tips for a smooth subway experience
✔ Avoid rush hours (8:00-9:30 and 17:00-19:00) to avoid crowded subways.
✔ Use the Bonjour RATP app to plan routes and transfers. Here you can also easily see whether it's best to board at the front or back and which exit is closest to your final destination.
✔ Have your Navigo card ready to go through the gates. That way you'll avoid congestion and ...
This new scheme makes traveling through Paris easier and more affordable for school groups!
Still have questions or want help planning your field trip? Get in touch with us!