Cardboard tickets: what to do with the ones you have left in Paris and the Ile-de-France region?

The metro and RER are turning over a new leaf: the end of the cardboard ticket. Many people still have a few tickets in their wallet. To help you find your way around, here are some simple points of reference and clear choices.

End of sale and validity period

Magnetic ticket sales are declining everywhere, driven by Île-de-France Mobilités, RATP and SNCF. The booklets have already left the counters, and the cardboard ticket is not coming back. You can still validate your previously purchased tickets. From now on, priority will be given to contactless media.

These vouchers will remain valid for a transitional period. Validations will be possible until June 2026, depending on the product family. What’s more, metro, bus, streetcar and RER stations will continue to accept tickets that are still legible. However, avoid dampness and magnets, which damage magnetic strips.

The control rules remain unchanged. Keep your stamped tickets until the end of the journey, as you may be asked for them. If you have to make a request at the ticket office, keep your proof of purchase too. For tourists, station agents will direct you to the appropriate solutions.

“Keep, exchange or go contactless: the course is clear.”

How to replace your paper tickets

The simplest way is contactless. In this way, you can load tickets onto a Navigo holder or an NFC-compatible smartphone. What’s more, you can still buy tickets individually or in batches, but without a magnetic strip. As a result, you’re quicker through the gates.

Pay-as-you-go is also available. End-of-month billing now helps to smooth the budget. In short, several applications allow you to top up and track your spending. In-station dispensers also offer the new media.

• Check the expiry date of your old tickets.
• Choose a contactless support for your day-to-day journeys.
• Keep the tickets you have already stamped during your journey.
• Ask at the counter about a possible targeted exchange.
• Anticipate airport journeys with the right product.

Passe Navigo Easy – Passe Navigo Easy (single ticket; sold for €2). Practical and anonymous, this pass costs €2 and can be recharged in a matter of seconds, even using a smartphone depending on the model.

Passe Navigo Liberté+ – Passe Navigo Liberté+ (monthly debit for journeys made; 20% discount). You validate as you go, and are debited at the end of the month, with a 20% reduction on the standard unit price.

Validate, exchange or use differently

Do you still have titles? Keep using them as long as they’re in circulation, especially on major lines. A legible cardboard ticket will still open the gantries during the transitional period. What’s more, ticket inspectors will be able to check tickets manually in the event of a problem. Plan B if a track becomes demagnetized.

Some products have exchange options, depending on their nature and the route involved. So be sure to visit a ticket office to find out which solution is right for you. In short, systems differ according to the type of ticket and the route. To avoid queuing, have your proof of purchase and remaining cardboard tickets ready.

Suburb-to-suburb journeys sometimes raise specific questions. Transilien lines keep their own validation rules. What’s more, an agent can direct you to the right ticket depending on your origin and destination. Keep your tickets dry, magnetic side protected, to limit incidents.

Ticket t+ – Ticket t+ en carton (Valid until June 2026 in metro, bus, tramway, RER). This cardboard ticket remains valid on the metro, bus, streetcar and RER within the city limits until June 2026.

Special cases and travel to airports

Journeys to Roissy or Orly often require a dedicated ticket. Some routes include specific segments that require a different ticket. What’s more, your cardboard ticket must correspond exactly to the planned itinerary. If in doubt, ask for a check before using the airport access.

Visitors are looking for a simple, immediate solution. Also, a contactless holder avoids queues and incidents at gates. As a result, choosing a ready-to-use product reduces the stress of making connections. In short, anticipate your return journey by loading your ticket as soon as you arrive.

Ticket Origine-Destination – Origine-Destination cardboard ticket (valid until June 2026 for metro, train, RER). This cardboard ticket corresponds to a specific journey between two stations, and remains valid until June 2026 under current conditions.

Ticket Paris-Région Aéroports – Ticket Paris-Région Aéroports (Exchangeable for Origin-Destination tickets to airports). Whenever possible, this cardboard ticket can be exchanged for airport Origin-Destination tickets.

Practical tips for the transition

Take stock of your titles and classify them by type. That way, you’ll use the ones you need for your day-to-day business first. In addition, keep one or two cardboard tickets as back-up, if the track is sound. Equip yourself with a contactless holder to make your journeys smoother.

Families, students and senior citizens all have different needs. That’s why we offer monthly and trip-based packages to suit every profile. In short, choose according to your frequency and actual budget. Ask for advice at the counter if your usage varies a lot.

The gradual disappearance of paper reduces waste, without changing the control rules. For example, a stamped cardboard ticket can be kept until the end of the journey. What’s more, report any malfunctions as soon as possible, whether at the gantry or the reader. That way, you can secure your journey and avoid the need for a second validation.

Passe Navigo Jour – Navigo Jour (daily ticket). For a busy day, this solution consolidates your journeys over 24 hours, without the risk of losing your cardboard ticket.

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