Paris Metro Ticket Machines-need exact change?
May 5th, 2014, 06:07 AM
#1
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Paris Metro Ticket Machines-need exact change?
In case there are lines at the ticket booths in the Metro system, will I need exact change for the machines? I know my American credit cards won't work. Can I reload my Navigo card using the machine? Also, I have leftover tickets from a carnet that are at least 8 years old. Will they still be good?
Another question - if I buy the Mobilis pass for a train trip to zones 5 or 6, do I have to buy it the same day of travel, or can I buy it ahead of time?
A lot of questions- but thanks!
Another question - if I buy the Mobilis pass for a train trip to zones 5 or 6, do I have to buy it the same day of travel, or can I buy it ahead of time?
A lot of questions- but thanks!
May 5th, 2014, 06:18 AM
#2
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You can reload your Navigo card using the machine.
The t tickets should be fine.
You can now add out of the zone fare on the Navigo card, so need for Mobilis pass.
"Since 1 January 2013, a new ticket, "additional courses" allows travelers who have a Navigo pass to move out of areas of validity of their package by paying only the additional travel outside of these zones."
http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21137/f...is-et-semaine/
I won't swear to it, but I think your nonCHIP US credit card may work.
The t tickets should be fine.
You can now add out of the zone fare on the Navigo card, so need for Mobilis pass.
"Since 1 January 2013, a new ticket, "additional courses" allows travelers who have a Navigo pass to move out of areas of validity of their package by paying only the additional travel outside of these zones."
http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21137/f...is-et-semaine/
I won't swear to it, but I think your nonCHIP US credit card may work.
May 5th, 2014, 06:41 AM
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Oh, and métro tickets never expire but due to the age of your tickets they may not work. There was a change in the type of métro tickets around 2007 so yours may not work but as I said they can be exchanged. I would just exchange them anyway to avoid problems.
May 5th, 2014, 06:48 AM
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The old green or purple tickets t (from the years 2003-2007) are still valid but they don't allow bus to bus transfers as the new ticket t+ does, so if you want to do that, you can exchange your old tickets for new ones for free and also in the event they may have gotten demagnetized.
If your tickets are pre-2003 they won't be accepted.
If your tickets are pre-2003 they won't be accepted.
May 5th, 2014, 06:54 AM
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You can purchase a Mobilis pass at anytime for use at any other time.
There are only two ticket locations, to my knowledge, that might have kiosks which accept magnetic strip credit cards: Roissypol at CDG and Musée du Louvre métro station. Otherwise the kiosks only accept chipped credit cards. If you are in real need, you can always ask at the Information counter as the agent there has a credit card machine that can process magnetic strip cards. All of the RER stations have ticket sales windows where you can use a magnetic strip card.
Ticket kiosks which accept coins will have an orange band across the top. At least one of these machines per station will accept notes. Kiosks will a green band across the top only accept chipped credit cards.
There are only two ticket locations, to my knowledge, that might have kiosks which accept magnetic strip credit cards: Roissypol at CDG and Musée du Louvre métro station. Otherwise the kiosks only accept chipped credit cards. If you are in real need, you can always ask at the Information counter as the agent there has a credit card machine that can process magnetic strip cards. All of the RER stations have ticket sales windows where you can use a magnetic strip card.
Ticket kiosks which accept coins will have an orange band across the top. At least one of these machines per station will accept notes. Kiosks will a green band across the top only accept chipped credit cards.
May 5th, 2014, 06:14 PM
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I've never tried any of those machines, as it always takes me forever to figure them out, and it's embarrassing if anyone is waiting. I want to overcome my fear, though, in case of long lines at the ticket windows. I come from a generation where there were ALWAYS people, not machines, handling things.
Those days are long past!
Those days are long past!
May 5th, 2014, 07:14 PM
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Just returned from Paris, and all the Metro machines we encountered required a chip card. However, some do still take cash (and give change).
We had a real hassle buying a Mobilis Ticket at Les Halles because none of the machines took cash (or non-chip cards).
Luckily, a Metro worker felt sorry for us and let us enter the Metro with out paying, AND directed us to an Information booth. But even then, we were intially told that they did not process credit cards. It was only after I explained how we had been directed to this booth that the woman reluctantly pulled her credit card machine out of a drawer.
I hope American credit card companies offer chip cards soon because this is going to be more and more of an issue for American travelers.
We had a real hassle buying a Mobilis Ticket at Les Halles because none of the machines took cash (or non-chip cards).
Luckily, a Metro worker felt sorry for us and let us enter the Metro with out paying, AND directed us to an Information booth. But even then, we were intially told that they did not process credit cards. It was only after I explained how we had been directed to this booth that the woman reluctantly pulled her credit card machine out of a drawer.
I hope American credit card companies offer chip cards soon because this is going to be more and more of an issue for American travelers.
May 5th, 2014, 07:46 PM
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Magster2005, I am more cynical about US banks. They really don't care about American travelers not having chip cards. They are only interested in making killing for themselves. Only when they find a business model that bring in enormous revenue, forced by regulations, or being labeled as "too slow" by major shareholders in not keeping up with other banks will they do anything about providing, gulp, services, to consumers. Did you know the problem existed before your trip to Paris? It has been an issue for many years. If you did not know, in the same way most Americans don't know and don't care and neither do banks. Every time I talk bank reps, I ask them about chip and pin cards. Hardly any have been overseas and none ever experienced hassles without chip and pin. They have nothing to say when I tell them their cards are practically worthless pieces of plastic in Netherlands.
May 6th, 2014, 08:45 AM
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I was walking past St Sulpice earlier today so I decided to confirm the existence of kiosks accepting magnetic strip cards. There are two machines at St Sulpice, both appear exactly like any other ticket kiosk I have seen. One of these machines will accepts bills, either accept coins or chipped credit cards.
Asking at the Information desk, I was told that neither of the machines accept magnetic strip cards. However, holders of magnetic strip cards may purchase tickets at the Information booth.
Asking at the Information desk, I was told that neither of the machines accept magnetic strip cards. However, holders of magnetic strip cards may purchase tickets at the Information booth.
