Be careful about fake public transport tickets this summer in Paris

This warning is specifically about the Navigo Pass regularly offered by scammers through unofficial channels

The 2024 Olympic Games are about to kick off later this week, which means that millions of visitors will head to Paris using its metro, buses and trams to get around between the sports venues and beyond. This also means that public transport tickets and passes will be in high demand, which may be the grounds for many tourists unfamiliar with the situation on the ground to get scammed.

Research done by SR.de (Saarland’s regional broadcaster) indicates that visitors should be careful not only about fraudsters trying to sell them tickets for the opening ceremony of the Olympics on 26 July (these are free by the way), but also about regular public transit passes in the French capital.

The scams regarding the latter concern specifically the so-called ‘Passe Navigo’ - a subscription ticket that is valid for public transport in Paris and the French region of Île-de-France. Its price depends on the zone you use it in, but it reaches up to almost 80 euros a month. Yet, scammers in Facebook groups offer such fake passes for about 20 euros a month.

The Paris mobility authority says it has already filed criminal charges against several of the suspected fraudsters. However, the best thing is to exercise caution and common sense and only purchase public transit tickets through official sources at the points of sale or online at the RATP website.

A weekly pass is available for 70 euros for Olympic visitors. This allows travel to all fare zones and all competition venues.

Public transit in Paris will be more expensive until 8 September

Speaking of public transport tickets in Paris, the reality is that these have gone up in price since this past weekend. These now will cost residents and visitors 4 euros instead of the standard 2.15 euros. Likewise, RER regional train journeys will cost 6 euros instead of the usual 3.20 to 5 euros.

The reason for the drastic fare hike is the expected increased impact on the city’s public mobility network and the need to increase its capacity in the short term in order to meet the surge in passenger numbers.

The new prices will apply until 8 September.