We live in the outer suburbs, we work in La Défense, and every morning we pass through three zones without thinking about it. Until the day when a check on a RER or a trip to Roissy reminds us that the zoning in the Île-de-France has direct consequences on our wallet. The Navigo pass covering zones 1 to 5 remains the most used transport ticket in Île-de-France, but its pricing subtleties and concrete limits deserve attention.
Zone-free travel on weekends: what the partial pass does not cover
Many users hesitate between a limited pass (zones 2-3, 3-4, or 4-5) and the all-zones pass. The main argument in favor of partial passes is their slightly lower price. In practice, this saving quickly encounters a daily constraint.
The limited Navigo Monthly and Annual passes for two zones benefit from a temporary zone-free travel on weekends, public holidays, and certain school holidays. During these periods, you can travel across the entire network from zones 1 to 5 without extra cost. At other times, a trip outside your zones requires purchasing a supplement.
By consulting the Navigo map for zones 1 to 5, you can quickly visualize which stations fall into which zone, helping you make a decision. When you need to reach Paris even just two or three times a week from zone 4, the all-zones pass becomes almost systematically more cost-effective than the partial pass combined with single tickets.
Cost of the Navigo all-zones pass in 2026: what the subscription actually costs
As of January 1, 2026, the Navigo Monthly all-zones pass 1 to 5 costs €90.80. This is an increase from €88.80 the previous year. For the Annual Navigo, the 2025 rate displayed by Île-de-France Mobilités was €976.80 per year, with the twelfth month offered for free.
Partial passes remain cheaper on paper: around €910.80 per year for a zones 2-3 subscription, and €864.60 for a zones 4-5 (2025 rates). The annual difference between a partial pass and the all-zones pass is therefore in a modest range, especially relative to the number of trips taken.
The calculation to make before choosing
Take your travel statement for a typical month. If more than four or five round trips go outside the zone of the partial subscription, the extra cost in single tickets or supplements quickly exceeds the savings made. The all-zones pass is valid at all times across the entire network, without time or calendar restrictions, which eliminates any mental load.
Network covered by the Navigo zones 1 to 5: metro, RER, Transilien, and bus
The all-zones pass provides access to almost the entire Île-de-France network. Here’s what it concretely includes:
- All metro lines (zone 1, with some stations in zone 2 for recent extensions), the tramway, and RATP and OPTILE bus lines in the five zones.
- The RER lines (A, B, C, D, E) and Transilien throughout their routes in Île-de-France, including outer suburban stations like Mantes-la-Jolie or Melun.
- The Orlyval service between Antony and Orly Airport, included in the pass at no extra charge.
A point that regularly generates confusion: the service to Charles de Gaulle Airport by the RER B is included in the all-zones Navigo pass. You can get off at the Aéroport CDG 1 or CDG 2 station without an additional ticket. This is not the case for some private shuttles or the future CDG Express, which will operate with its own pricing.
Particular cases to know
Some intercity buses that exceed the limits of Île-de-France are not covered. Returns vary on this point depending on the OPTILE lines at the region’s edge. In case of doubt, it’s better to check the relevant line on the Île-de-France Mobilités website before boarding.
Navigo on smartphone or physical card: impact on daily use
For several years, Île-de-France Mobilités has allowed users to purchase and validate their transport tickets directly from a phone, via the official app. This dematerialization applies to both single tickets and Navigo Monthly or Annual passes.
In practice, smartphone validation works on Android and iPhone, but compatibility depends on the model. The list of supported phones is regularly updated. For users whose phones are not compatible, the physical Navigo card remains the standard medium, rechargeable at ticket offices, kiosks, or online.
The Navigo Easy, on the other hand, is a contactless medium intended for occasional travelers. You can load t+ tickets or origin-destination tickets onto it, but not a monthly or annual pass. Not confusing the two mediums avoids unpleasant surprises at the gate.
Navigo pass for students and reduced rates in Île-de-France
Students under 26 residing in Île-de-France have access to the Imagine R pass, which covers zones 1 to 5 at a reduced rate. In 2025, it was priced at €401.30 per year, including administrative fees. This is less than half the price of the standard Annual Navigo pass.
Reduced rates are also available for other profiles: large families, beneficiaries of social aid, people with disabilities, military personnel, and young people in civic service. Each program has its own eligibility conditions and application process, usually online on the Île-de-France Mobilités website.
The choice between the all-zones Navigo pass and a partial pass often comes down to a question of frequency. As soon as you regularly cross more than two zones, the 1 to 5 pass absorbs the extra cost and simplifies each trip. Before subscribing, a quick tally of your monthly travels is enough to decide.