We'll be in Paris in May. We still have our Cartes Oranges that we bought in 2001 and used in 2007.

Specific Questions:

(a) Are old ones completely no good, or are they just not selling that type of CO anymore.

(b) Can we still buy the "ticket" version of the hebdo pass that you hold in your CO folder and run through the machine each time, or must we buy the Navigo and electronically load the hebdo?

(c) Is the Navigo a swiping card (like the Oyster card in UK)?

(d) Can the 5 euro cost of the Navigo be applied to the hebdo (or any other tickets, such as the fare from CDG) like the startup cost of the Oyster card can?

Many thanks.
SS

(a) Are old ones completely no good, or are they just not selling that type of CO anymore.
- - - there is no more paper version of the C.O.

(b) Can we still buy the "ticket" version of the hebdo pass that you hold in your CO folder and run through the machine each time, or must we buy the Navigo and electronically load the hebdo?
- - - the 2nd part; no more paper tickets for C.O.; buy the Navigo Decouverte electronic card and load a C.O. 'pass' value to it

(c) Is the Navigo a swiping card (like the Oyster card in UK)?
- - - I don't know the Oyster, but your Navigo Decouverte* is a 'swipe' card read by a proximity reader...

(d) Can the 5 euro cost of the Navigo be applied to the hebdo (or any other tickets, such as the fare from CDG) like the startup cost of the Oyster card can?
- - - the 5euro fee is on top of the C.O. pass value, one time only; card lasts for 10 years (of course, you must repurchase and load a new C.O. pass value each period)

* Navigo is for residents who complete an application - - you, as a visitor, will request a Navigo Decouverte, which is an 'anonymous' card.

I think I'll finish that last statement. It is anonymous in that there is no personal data being tracked by the Navigo system; you still must bring a small photo and complete the ID card that accompanies the electronic pass-card.

Travelnut...

Thanks for the info. We have photos in various sizes - 1.25" and 1.5" - so we should be OK.

I presume you can buy the Navigo Decouverte as well as load it with the hebdo CO at the ticket booth at the RER station next to terminal 3 at CDG...right?

Last time in Paris (2007), I was unable to get my credit card to work in any of the RATP machines...they must require the European smart cards.

SS

US chipless cards won't work in the self-service kiosks, but at the ticket windows, they're fine.

Thanks, Robespierre, for that that bit of information. I was confused and now am VERY glad to learn that the US chipless cards at least can be used at the ticket booths.

Another question...

Can the CO be purchased on a Tuesday for the week that started the day (Monday) before?

Thanks.
SS

You can buy a Carte Orange value for the current week up through Wednesday. Starting from Thursday, you must buy it for the week starting the following Monday.