Paris Traveling Tips
In this article
Paris is often referred to as the most romantic city in the world but Paris is also
a dream destination for all types of travelers. With its rich history and famous tourist
attractions, a trip to Paris is on most people's bucket lists.
If you are visiting Paris for a few days then you should plan your trip in advance so that
you can enjoy as many experiences as possible and see all of the sights.
This article includes the most useful Paris traveling tips to help ensure
that you have an amazing trip.
25 Helpful Paris Traveling Tips & Tricks
Whether you want to discover more about the city's history, explore Paris on foot to see the famous
landmarks or visit as many restaurants as possible, a few days in Paris is enough to fit a lot of
tourist attractions and activities in.
If you are visiting Paris for the first time, learning more about the transport system, the best
time to visit and any places to avoid will help you to enjoy a fun and safe trip.
These are our best Paris travel tips:
1. The Best Time to Visit Paris Are Off-Peak Periods
If you want to avoid visiting Paris at the busiest time of year then you should plan your
trip outside of the summer months. April, May, September and October are regarded as the best
times to visit Paris as it is less busy but still warm.
If you want to spend time sunbathing somewhere like the Paris Plages on Seine Riverbank,
the summer months are a better time to visit for the hot weather. Christmastime in Paris can
be a magical experience but it gets expensive over Christmas and New Year to book accommodation.
2. Plan Your Trip for a Minimum of Four Days
There are so many different tourist attractions and exciting activities to experience in France
that anything less than four days will be too short, especially for first-time visitors.
The French capital has many historic buildings and cultural venues to visit, as well as amazing
restaurants, bars and walking routes to fit into your trip.
3. Book Your Accommodation Early
You will usually get the best hotel and other accommodation deals when you book far in advance.
Many hotels increase prices as it gets closer to the date and there are lots of events taking place
in Paris that can increase hotel prices, for example, sports events, Paris Fashion Week and
food festivals.
4. The Star Ratings in Europe Are Different From North America
Another good Paris travel tip is to understand the star rating system before you book a hotel.
The star rating system differs around the world, and the star rating used in North America is
different to the one used in France.
Most hotels in France are rated at 2, 3, 4, or 5 stars and rather than purely being an indication
of quality, stars are awarded based on facilities and services and physical detail such as the hotel
room size. Staying at the Ritz in Paris will cost around $2,000 per night in off-peak season and
more during busy periods.
5. Use Public Transport & Save Money
Traveling by taxi can be expensive in Paris and there is a good public transport system to get around
all the major attractions if you are staying in a fairly central location. The Parisian metro is
usually the most convenient way to get to different areas of Paris and metro tickets are considerably
cheaper than taxi fares to save money for other things.
You can get the RER train from Charles de Gaulle Airport into Paris very easily.
6. Easily Rent a Bike or a Scooter
One of the most popular ways to quickly get around Paris is by bike or scooter, which can easily
be rented. Scooter companies Lime, Tier, and Dott are the three authorized scooter operators,
providing around 15,000 scooters for hire.
7. Draft A Sightseeing Plan
It is a good idea to list all of the top attractions that you want to visit and then use a map
to plan out the best way to travel to them. A lot of the top Paris attractions are within walking
distance from each other and the Hop On Hop Off bus tour will help you to incorporate as many
as possible, including Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, and Arc de Triomphe.
Booking tickets online in advance will also help you to avoid spending hours queuing in a long line.
8. Use Attraction-Free Days When Creating Your Plan
An action-packed holiday can be fun but also exhausting so make sure you spend some time to
simply enjoy Paris. Relax in Parisian cafes and do some people-watching, and eat dinner at a nice
restaurant rather than spending your whole visit rushing from one busy tourist attraction to the next.
9. Arc de Triomphe Provides the Best View of Paris
To see the most spectacular views of Paris, the rooftop viewing deck at the Arc de Triomphe is one
of the best places to go. The top of Sacre Coeur further outside of the city will also give you
amazing views over the main tourist attractions and the Eiffel Tower view is also excellent.
10. Get a Paris Museum Pass
Buying a Paris Pass or a Paris Museum Pass will help you to save money instead of paying separately
for each museum you visit. The Paris Museum Pass is available for 2, 4 or 6 days and can be used
to enter over 50 museums and monuments in the Paris region, including the Louvre museum,
where you can see the Mona Lisa. There are also some free museums around Paris.
11. Take a Seine River Cruise
A more relaxing way to see the city's landmarks and avoid busy streets is to take a Seine River
cruise, which will give you great views of Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and more
landmarks. In addition to the regular tourist cruises, you can book dinner cruises.
12. Explore The Covered Passages of Paris
One of the unique and charming appeals of Paris is the covered passages throughout the city,
such as Passage des Panoramas, Galerie Vivienne and Passage des Prince.
13. See Inside the Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House)
To appreciate some breathtaking Parisian architecture the Palais Garnier is a must-see.
Even if you are not an opera fan, you can book a visit to see the elegant decor and architectural
excellence during the day.
14. Visit Better Known Flea Markets
Paris is renowned for great flea markets where you can find antique collections and vintage
street markets. It is recommended that you visit the better know flea markets, as you should
in any city to avoid markets selling stolen goods.
15. Avoid “Tourist Menus” and Dine Away from the Top Attractions
If you dine or drink in close proximity to the top attractions like the Eiffel Tower, you can
expect to double your bill compared to walking further away from the busy tourist areas. To eat
in nice restaurants without paying inflated tourist prices, book your restaurant
reservations in quieter areas.
16. Indulge in the Bakeries and Patisseries
If you are visiting Paris you must try the world's best patisseries for a Pain au Chocolat
or another pastry treat. There are so many great bakeries that it will be difficult to choose
just a few options.
17. Buy Souvenirs Made by Local Artisans
Like most cities that are popular with tourists, there will be loads of places and stalls
selling souvenirs. Most of these will be bulk manufactured in China type of souvenirs like
plastic Eiffel Towers. If you want to find souvenirs that are authentic and high-quality you
should find boutique artisan shops. The Latin Quarter is usually a good place for artisan shops.
18. Bring Your Student ID
If you have a student ID card you will be able to save money on accommodation, food tours,
the Paris Catacombs, Park Asterix and Disneyland among other attractions so make sure you
take it on your visit to Paris.
19. Bring a Universal Adapter
France uses plug type C and plug type E, so unless your appliances and phone chargers
are already fitted with these plugs, you will need to bring a universal adapter.
20. Avoid Common Tourist Scams
Unfortunately, there are quite a lot of tourist scams to be aware of in Paris. Pickpockets
are a common problem, you also need to be wary of people selling fake tickets and there are
also fake taxi scams to trick unsuspecting tourists.
21. Explore French Cuisine
When in Paris, to enjoy the full experience you have to try French cuisine. A food tour is
a great way to try different types of food but there are so many top restaurants to choose from too.
Traditional dishes such as Boeuf Bourguignon, French onion soup, escargot and
crepes are all worth a try.
22. Check Out Offbeat Paris Locations
While you probably want to visit popular Paris locations such as Moulin Rouge and the Eiffel
Tower on your Paris trip, you should explore the offbeat gems too.
Montmarte Vineyard, La Petite Ceinture and Canal Saint-Martin are away from the busy tourist
traps but are definitely worth a visit to see a different side to Paris.
23. Parisians Tend to Eat Late - Expect to Eat Later
Like many other cities in Europe, Parisians tend to eat late so restaurants generally do not
open until later for evening meals. One of the best Paris tips is to eat your lunch later
so you do not go hungry waiting for late dining!
24. Buy Your Alcohol From Grocery Stores Before 10 PM
You cannot buy alcohol in a supermarket after 10 pm so if you are planning on having a glass
of wine in your apartment, you will need to buy your alcohol before the 10 pm cutoff time.
25. Comfortable Pair of Shoes Is a Must
If you want to see as many places as possible, you will be doing a lot of walking and you
should therefore wear comfortable shoes. You can wear fancy clothes and shoes when you go
out at night but in the daytime, if you want to walk around places such as the Jardin du
Luxembourg and the main tourist attractions, comfy shoes are essential.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Paris?
France is a Schengen zone member together with 26 other European countries. Members
of the Schengen zone are free to enter France with only their passports. Some non-European
visitors need a Schengen visa to visit France, while others do not. However, as of 2023,
the latter will need an ETIAS visa waiver to enter the country.
Currently, there are 60 countries listed as requiring
an ETIAS if they wish to travel to France or any of the countries in the Schengen Zone.
An ETIAS will allow you entry to any European country, and it is valid for
three years as long as your passport remains valid throughout that period.
To apply for an ETIAS,
you need to complete the online application form. It will take you less than 15 minutes
to fill it out, and you can expect a response within the hour.
Tips on Traveling to Paris: Wrapping It Up
We hope these tips for visiting Paris will be very useful when you are booking your trip.
We have listed some of the best tips based on traveler experiences to keep safe and make
the most of your time in the City of Light.
Make sure you plan ahead by booking a Paris Pass, tourist attractions tickets and make your
restaurant reservations early to avoid missing out on the best places to dine out. The weather
in Paris can be very hot in July and August so it is not ideal for sightseeing. It is quieter
and generally cheaper to visit Paris in May or September.
One of the most convenient ways to travel around Paris is by using the metro, which has stations
all across the city. Like many cities, Paris can be riskier at night so be careful not to have
belongings like expensive bags or watches on display and be wary of different tourist scams.
FAQ
1. How many days is enough in Paris?
For the first-timers visiting Paris, we recommend that you spend at least four days in the city to have enough time to get the full experience. Anything less than this will mean that you have to fit a lot of activities into one day, which will be very tiring and may spoil your experience. Having time to sit in Parisian cafes and watch the world go by is an experience in itself, so make sure you plan in some more relaxed activities in Paris.2. What month is best to go to Paris?
If you want to avoid the busiest tourist times but still enjoy warm weather, May or September are the best months to visit. The hottest month is July and walking around the tourist attractions can be uncomfortable with temperatures of up to 35°C. In May and September, the temperature will usually be in the lower 20s.3. What is the best way to travel in Paris?
Most people travel around Paris using the metro as there are stations all across the city and close to all the major attractions. It is also one of the most cost-effective ways to get around Paris. However, the Hop On Hop Off bus tour will give you more opportunities to see Paris while you travel. A scooter or bike hire is a good option for getting around the city quickly but also walking around Paris to lots of the top attractions.4. What do I need to know before I go to Paris?
Before you go to Paris you should check the weather forecast to choose the right clothing to take with you. You should also make sure you book any attractions you want to visit in advance, which will help you to save money and avoid queues to buy tickets. Plan how you are going to travel to your accommodation and use the RER train from Charles de Gaulle into Paris to save money on taxi fares.Also, be aware that tourists can be targeted for scams, so try to be vigilant to the dangers and avoid looking like a typical tourist visiting Paris for the first time. If you have not yet booked your trip, it is a good idea to check whether there are any big events taking place in Paris such as Paris Fashion Week, big sporting events and festivals, as the city will be particularly busy during these events and hotels will be more expensive.5. Should I bring Euros to Paris?
Yes, the currency in Paris is Euros so if you want cash for restaurant tips and other reasons, Euros is the best currency to take. It is recommended that you do not travel with large amounts of Euros, so a travel credit card will reduce the risk of being left with no money if you lose your money or it gets stolen.6. How much money should you have for a trip to Paris?
How much money you need will depend on what sort of trip you are planning. If you want to eat at the best restaurants and see Paris in style, you will need to take a few thousand Euros. However, you can also have a cheaper stay in Paris and experience local life in the areas further out of the central locations.7. How do people dress in Paris without looking like a tourist?
French citizens are renowned for being stylish, so if you want to avoid standing out as a tourist, you should avoid wearing typical tourist clothes. Avoid wearing baseball caps, t-shirts with big logos and shorts. Local Parisians are more likely to be wearing jeans or smart trousers, leather shoes and plain shirts or blouses.
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