Buying Guide · 2026

Digital vs Physical
Paris Museum Pass:
Which Should You Buy?

E-ticket or physical card? Online, at the airport, or from a tourist office? Here’s exactly what each option gives you — and which is right for your trip.

Last updated: February 2026 · All purchase options compared · No guesswork

⚡ Short Answer

Buy the digital e-ticket online. It’s the same price, delivered to your inbox within minutes, works on your phone at every venue, and you can retrieve it if you lose access to your device. The physical card makes sense only if you strongly prefer a tangible pass — but it requires going out of your way to collect it in Paris.

Option 1
Digital E-Ticket
Recommended

A QR code delivered to your email inbox within minutes of purchase. Show it on your phone screen at each museum entrance — no printing required. Works at all 50+ covered venues across Paris and the Île-de-France region.

Advantages
Instant delivery — no waiting on arrival
Same price as a physical pass — no premium
Retrievable from email if phone is lost or flat
No queue at tourist offices or airport desks
Free cancellation within 24 hours (via Tiqets)
Drawbacks
Requires a charged phone at each venue
No physical keepsake (some travellers prefer a card)
Option 2
Physical Card

A credit-card sized pass available to collect in person from Paris tourist offices, select FNAC stores, airport desks, and some museum ticket counters. Requires no phone battery to use — simply present the card at each venue.

Advantages
Works without a phone or battery
A tangible travel souvenir
Can be bought on the day in Paris without pre-planning
Drawbacks
Requires a trip to a pick-up location in Paris — adds 20–40 min
Cannot be replaced if lost — no refund or re-issue
Airport desks may have queues — especially on busy arrival days
Opening hours at tourist offices are limited (typically 10am–6pm)

Full Breakdown

Digital vs Physical: Every Detail Compared

A complete head-to-head across every dimension that matters to a Paris visitor in 2026.

Category Digital E-Ticket Physical Card
Pricing
Adult price (2026) €90 / €109 / €139 €90 / €109 / €139
Same price as other format? ✓ Yes — identical ✓ Yes — identical
Booking fees None via Tiqets None at tourist offices
Getting Your Pass
Where to purchase Online — any device Easiest Tourist offices, FNAC, airport desks
Delivery method Email within minutes In-person collection required
Can I buy before I travel? ✓ Yes — weeks or months ahead Only if pre-ordered online with collection in Paris
Time to collect 0 minutes 20–40 minutes (travel + wait)
Cruise ship / same-day arrival ✓ Ideal — no wasted shore time Tight — requires detour to tourist office
Using the Pass
What to show at venues QR code on phone screen Physical card
Requires charged phone? Yes No
Accepted at all 50+ venues? ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Skips the ticket queue? ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Print-at-home option? ✓ Yes — PDF available Not applicable
Security & Loss
If phone is lost or flat Retrieve QR from email on any device Safer No impact — card still valid
If pass is lost Recover from email instantly No replacement — must buy again
Cancellation policy Free cancellation within 24h (Tiqets) Generally non-refundable once collected
Other Considerations
Physical keepsake / souvenir No Yes — credit-card sized pass
Suitable for older travellers less comfortable with smartphones May require assistance More intuitive to present
Recommended for most visitors? ✓ Yes Only in specific cases

Where to Buy

Every Purchase Option, Explained

Whether you’re planning months ahead or arriving tomorrow, here’s where each format is available — and what to expect at each location.

Buy Online (Recommended)
→ Digital E-Ticket

The simplest and most reliable option. Purchase through a verified reseller like Tiqets and receive your QR code by email within minutes. Available 24 hours a day, any day of the year.

Price: €90 / €109 / €139 · No booking fees
Delivery: Email within 5 minutes
Available: Any time, before or during your trip
Cancellation: Free within 24 hours
CDG / Orly Airport Desks
→ Physical Card

Paris Museum Pass desks operate at Charles de Gaulle (Terminal 2E arrivals) and Orly airport. Convenient if you want to collect a physical card the moment you land — but queues can be significant in peak season.

Hours: Typically 8am–8pm, check airport listings
Wait time: 10–30 minutes in high season
Payment: Card and cash accepted
Note: Not ideal for cruise ship or tight day-trip schedules
Paris Tourist Offices
→ Physical Card

The Office du Tourisme de Paris operates multiple locations across the city. The main office near the Opéra is the busiest; the Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon branches are handy if you’re arriving by Eurostar or TGV.

Main office: Rue des Pyramides, 1st arr.
Also at: Gare du Nord · Gare de Lyon · Champs-Élysées
Hours: Typically Mon–Sat 10am–6pm (check seasonal hours)
Also available: Select FNAC stores citywide

Arriving on a Cruise Ship? Buy Online Before You Dock.

Cruise passengers have limited time ashore — often 8–10 hours. Spending 30–40 minutes travelling to and queuing at a tourist office to collect a physical pass wastes precious shore time. Purchase your digital e-ticket before departure and you’ll be at your first museum entrance within minutes of leaving the port. See our dedicated cruise ship guide →

Step by Step

How to Get Your Pass

Choose your format and follow the steps — from purchase to your first museum entrance.

  • 1
    Choose your pass duration
    Decide between 2-Day (€90), 4-Day (€109), or 6-Day (€139). If unsure, use our worth-it calculator first.
  • 2
    Purchase online via Tiqets
    Visit the booking page, select your pass, and complete checkout. Takes under 3 minutes.
    💡 You don’t need to choose an activation date at purchase — the pass starts on your first scan, not your purchase date.
  • 3
    Receive your QR code by email
    Your e-ticket arrives in your inbox within minutes. Save it, screenshot it, or simply keep the email accessible. You can also download it to your phone’s wallet if supported.
  • 4
    Book your timed entry slots (where required)
    Several major venues — including the Louvre, Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle, and the Orangerie — require a separate timed entry reservation even with a valid pass. Do this before you travel for best availability.
    💡 You do not need your pass in hand to book time slots. Book slots as soon as your itinerary is confirmed.
  • 5
    Show your QR code at each museum entrance
    Present your phone screen at the pass reader or to staff at the pass holder entrance. Your first scan activates the pass and starts the clock on your days. No need to queue at ticket windows.
  • 1
    Choose your pass duration
    Decide between 2-Day (€90), 4-Day (€109), or 6-Day (€139). You can also decide this on the day at the tourist office.
  • 2
    Travel to a pick-up location in Paris
    Collect from a Paris tourist office (main branch near Opéra, or at Gare du Nord / Gare de Lyon), a CDG or Orly airport desk, or select FNAC stores.
    ⚠️ Offices are typically open Mon–Sat 10am–6pm. Don’t plan to collect late in the evening or on a Sunday.
  • 3
    Pay and collect your card
    Cash and card payments are accepted. You’ll receive a credit-card sized pass immediately. Keep it safe — it cannot be replaced if lost.
  • 4
    Book timed entry slots for venues that require them
    Even with a physical pass, you still need separate timed entry reservations for the Louvre, Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle, and several other sites. Book these in advance online.
  • 5
    Present your card at each venue entrance
    Show the card at the dedicated pass holder entrance. Your first use activates the pass. Write the activation date on the back of the card as prompted — it helps you track your remaining days.
    💡 Keep the card in a secure wallet pocket. Unlike a digital pass, a lost physical card cannot be recovered.

Common Misconceptions

Things People Get Wrong

Clearing up the most common confusion about digital passes and where to buy.

Myth
“The digital pass is cheaper if you buy online.”

The Paris Museum Pass costs the same regardless of format or purchase location — €90, €109, or €139 for 2, 4, and 6 days. The convenience of buying online (instant delivery, no collection) is the benefit, not a price difference. Be wary of third-party sites charging inflated prices.

Myth
“I have to print the e-ticket.”

No printing required. All 50+ venues accept the QR code displayed on a phone screen. If you prefer a paper backup, you can print it — but it’s entirely optional and rarely necessary in practice.

Myth
“I can pick up the pass at the Louvre or other museums.”

The Paris Museum Pass is not sold at individual museum ticket windows — only at designated tourist offices, FNAC stores, and airport desks. Arriving at the Louvre expecting to buy a pass there will leave you disappointed and queueing twice.

Myth
“The digital pass starts counting from the moment I buy it.”

Your pass — digital or physical — only activates on your first use. Purchasing it weeks before your trip has no effect on validity. The clock starts the first time a museum scans or checks your pass, not your purchase date.

Myth
“If I lose my phone, my digital pass is gone.”

Your e-ticket QR code lives in your email inbox — accessible from any device with internet access. Log into your email on a borrowed phone, hotel computer, or tablet and retrieve your ticket immediately. It’s arguably safer than a physical card for this reason.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — both the digital e-ticket and the physical card provide identical access to the same 50+ venues for the same duration. There is no difference in what venues accept them, which queue you join, or what’s included. The only differences are how you receive and present the pass.
Yes. A screenshot of the QR code on your phone screen works fine at all venues — it doesn’t need to be a live app or link. Many travellers screenshot their QR code so it’s accessible even without a data connection. For extra reliability, screenshot it before you leave your hotel in the morning.
Physical passes are available at Paris tourist offices (main office near the Opéra at Rue des Pyramides, plus branches at Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon), at CDG and Orly airport desks, and at select FNAC stores across the city. They are not sold at individual museum ticket windows. Tourist offices are generally open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm — hours vary by season, so check before you go.
Yes — the digital e-ticket is delivered within minutes of purchase, 24 hours a day. You can purchase it at breakfast, at the airport, or even while standing outside the Louvre. Just ensure you have your email and internet access to receive and display it.
This is the most common concern about digital passes. The practical solution: carry a portable charger (powerbank), and screenshot your QR code before leaving the hotel each morning. Staff at major venues are accustomed to this scenario and will usually offer a brief wait while you charge slightly. If genuinely concerned about battery reliability, the physical card eliminates this issue entirely — though it comes with the tradeoff of no recovery if lost.
No — the pass is strictly non-transferable and covers one named person only. Each adult in your group needs their own pass. Museum staff check, particularly at high-traffic venues like the Louvre. Attempting to share one QR code will be noticed when the second person tries to enter using a pass that has already been scanned.
Children under 18 who are EU residents, and young people under 26 who are EU nationals, enter most covered venues free of charge and do not need a pass at all. For non-EU children, check individual museum policies — many offer free entry to children under 12 regardless of nationality. If a child does need a pass, a digital version works exactly the same way as an adult pass.
It’s a reasonable option if you strongly prefer a physical card. The Gare du Nord tourist office is located within the station and is often less busy than the main city-centre office. That said, buying your digital pass before you board the Eurostar in London eliminates any arrival-day errand entirely — and means you can head straight to your first museum from the station.
Related guides: Read our full How It Works guide for everything about using the pass at specific venues, timed entry requirements, and consecutive day rules. Or see all purchase options and verified resellers →

Ready to Buy Your Paris Museum Pass?

The digital e-ticket is the fastest, safest option — delivered to your inbox in minutes. Same price as anywhere else.

Buy the Pass Online → How It Works First
Digital pass · Instant delivery Buy Now →
Paris Museum Pass · 2-day €90 · 4-day €109 · 6-day €139 Buy the Pass →