What is a Carte Orange?
The "Orange Card" is a Paris transportation pass, valid for either one week or one month for the zones of coverage you can choose. Carte Orange, meant mostly for citizens of Paris, is generally a much better value than the transportation pass called the Paris Visite, meant for tourists.
Carte Orange quick facts
- You can purchase a Carte Orange from an RAPT agent at any Metro or RER station in Paris.
- Despite what you will might hear about the pass being available only to Parisiens, anyone can buy a Carte Orange.
- The weekly pass (called a coupon hebdomadaire) is valid Monday to Sunday only. Be sure you can communicate the dates that you want, or that you'd like a Carte Orange for the next week starting Monday. Otherwise you may be sold a pass that is only valid for the rest of the week.
- The monthly pass (called a coupon mensuel) is valid for the calender month.
- You will need to specify the zones you wish to travel in. Zones one and two are central Paris, and quite likely the only two you'll be interested in for a pass. If you need to go outside those zones only once (to Versailles, for example) a separate ticket will be cheaper than extending your pass to those zones. (See the link to the zone map (pdf) below.
- You will need a small, passport style photo to attach to the pass (about 1 1/8" in height). You can buy one at the metro station.
- The Carte Orange passes are valid for unlimited rides on the RATP system.
- Prices for a weekly zone 1-2 weekly Carte Orange in 2006 is € 16.
