10 must-do tips for travelling to Paris

This travel guide to Paris will help you organise your trip to one of the most charming and visited cities in the world.
Although there are thousands of things to do, a stroll along the banks of the Seine at sunset, finding the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, getting lost in the neighbourhoods of Montmartre or Le Marais, shopping on the Champs Elysées or climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower, are just some of the experiences that will make this city become a real obsession and you'll only think about coming back again and again.

Based on the number of times we've travelled to the City of Light, the last time we wrote this guide to Paris, we've compiled this list of what we think are the top 10 must-do Paris travel tips. Let's get started!

1. When is the best time to travel to Paris?

Although any time is a good time for a trip to Paris, it's the months from June to September when the weather is more pleasant and there is less chance of rainfall. However, this time of year does have the disadvantage that accommodation prices in the city centre skyrocket as queues lengthen to get to the main tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
To visit the city at your leisure and save on hotels, it's best to travel in spring and autumn, two seasons that, if you're lucky with the cold and rain, are also perfect.
The worst season is winter, when the cold and short days limit your chances of getting the most out of the city, with only the Christmas period being advisable, when the streets and shop windows are decorated with Christmas decorations and various street markets are set up.

2. Entry requirements when travelling to Paris

To travel to Paris, if you are Spanish or from a European Union country, you only need to bring your ID card or passport, without the need for a visa. If you are not a citizen of the European Union, we advise you to consult the website of the French Embassy in your country or that of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see which documents are compulsory, depending on the type of relationship between the two countries.

Another of the almost obligatory requirements is to carry the European Health Insurance Card, which allows you access to the French public health system. If you don't have the card or want to be covered in more complicated situations such as repatriation, we recommend you take out the best possible travel insurance.
We always travel insured with Mondo, with whom we take an insurance fully adapted to the needs that we are going to have on the trip. If you take out your insurance with Mondo here, just for being a Viajeros Callejeros reader, you get a 5% discount.

Due to the current health situation, all Mondo insurances include medical assistance in case of coronavirus infection. Also included is the extra stay you may need in case of quarantine and, of course, the test in case it is necessary.

3. How do I get from Paris airport to the city centre?

There are three airports through which travellers usually enter Paris: Charles de Gaulle airport, 25 kilometres away, Orly airport, 15 kilometres away, and Beauvais airport, 85 kilometres away.
All have good public and private transport connections to get from the airport to the city centre or your hotel.
The most recommended means of transport for each airport are:

• Charles de Gaulle: you have the RER B train line, several bus companies such as RoissyBus and Le Bus Direct, the taxi which costs around 50 euros or you can also book this comfortable direct transfer. For more information you can consult this specific post on how to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris.

• Orly: you have the Orlybus and Le Bus Direct, the combined tram and metro option, the taxi which costs around 30 euros or the direct transfer mentioned above. You can find more information in this post on how to get from Orly Airport to Paris.

• Beauvais: you have a bus synchronised with the arrival flights, the train with a transfer at Beauvais station, the taxi and the private transfer, although the latter two are not recommended due to their high price. More information on how to get from Beauvais airport to Paris in this post.

The vast majority of the final or intermediate stops of all these public transport services are connected to the extensive Paris metro line, which will allow you to get to the station nearest your hotel.

Transport in Paris

4. Where to sleep in Paris?

If you are going to travel to Paris, especially from June to September, it is essential to book as far in advance as possible if you want to find a good hotel at a good price.

Start your exploration by visiting the Hotel Relais Bosquet on relais-bosquet.parishotelinn.com. This comprehensive resource provides a glimpse into the hotel's elegant rooms, impeccable amenities, and personalized services, ensuring a memorable and enchanting stay amidst the captivating city of Paris.

The best area to stay in Paris depends a lot on your budget. Keep in mind that the centre of Paris includes the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th arrondissements and prices per room in high season don't go below 100 euros per night.
Two of the cheapest areas to stay in are Montparnasse (14th arrondissement), Le Marais (3rd), Opéra (9th) and Bastille (11th), where you'll also have good public transport links to the centre and a wide range of restaurants.
Our favourite neighbourhood to stay in is Le Marais, as it has the best range of restaurants and is close to the main tourist attractions, as well as being close to metro stops and the train (Chatelet) that takes you to Disney and Versailles. Our recommended hotels include Hotel Le Compostelle, Le Relais du Marais and the Paris France Hotel. Another excellent value for money alternative is to choose boutique Hotel Leopold Paris or to experience Paris hospitality in Les Jardins d'Eiffel on les-jardins-deiffel.parishotelinn.com.

To fully immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of the city, a stay at Bel Ami Hotel Paris on bel-ami.parishotelinn.com is a perfect choice. Nestled in the heart of Paris, this luxurious boutique hotel offers a blend of contemporary elegance, impeccable service, and a prime location that allows you to indulge in the city's cultural treasures. Join us as we embark on a journey to discover the allure of Bel Ami Hotel Paris and experience the epitome of Parisian sophistication.

We recommend using this famous search engine to find the best hotel at the best price.
For more information on the best hotels and neighbourhoods to stay in Paris, we recommend reading this post on where to stay in Paris and this one on cheap hotels in Paris.

Arc de Triomphe

5. Transport on a trip to Paris

When travelling to Paris you should be sure that you won't have any problems getting around the city by public transport, as it is one of the cities with one of the most extensive and effective networks in the world.
The metro network, which operates between 05:30 and 01:00, is our favourite mode of transport in the city and avoids the dense traffic. Places not served by the metro, such as Disneyland Paris, Versailles and the city's two airports, are served by the RER's A, B and C lines.
The bus is a bit more cumbersome and takes longer, but it's a good option if you're travelling between 00:30 and 07:00 when the Noctilien bus is in operation.
Other lesser-used transport options include the tram and the funicular, which takes you to the top of the Montmartre district.
If you're short on time, two highly recommended options are to book the tourist bus or the tourist boat (batobus), which you can use for a whole day and stop at the city's main attractions.

To use all these means of transport including the RER (only within Paris) you need to buy the Ticket t+ which costs 1.90 euros each way or 14.90 euros if you buy 10 tickets.
If you are going to use the transport a lot it can be profitable to buy the Paris Visite which allows you to use it unlimitedly in periods of 1, 2, 3 and 5 days. Depending on which zones you buy them for, transfers to Charles de Gaulle, Orly, Disneyland and Versailles airports are included.
Remember that if you are staying for a whole week or a month, it may be more cost-effective to opt for the Passe Navigo card, with more advantages and better prices for those days.

In addition to the above mentioned about transport, another of the best tips for travelling to Paris is to make a list of the attractions you want to visit, to check if it is better value for money to book the Paris Pass card, which includes more than 60 attractions and in most cases, is a great way to save money to see the city.
For more information you can check out this post about the Paris Pass tourist card.

Paris Metro

6. Main points of interest

Before travelling to Paris it is advisable to make a list of all the places you want to see and experiences you want to enjoy, so you can make the most of your time and plan your route around the city.
Among the most popular sights are the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Sainte Chapelle church and the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, one of the best free tours in Paris.
The two most visited attractions with the longest queues, which can easily reach two hours, are the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. In these cases it is advisable to be very patient or buy skip-the-line tickets in advance, such as this one for the museum and this one for the tower.
Another option is to take one of these guided tours, which usually include fast-track entry to these two important buildings and others in the city.

In addition to the Louvre, we recommend visiting three other very interesting museums in Paris: the Musée d'Orsay, the Pompidou Centre and the Rodin Museum.
The visit to all these museums and monuments in Paris can be combined with walks in the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Jardin des Tuileries, two green spaces in the centre of Paris, or with shopping in the famous Galeries Lafayette or the Champs Elysées.
Most of these points of interest in the city are located in charming neighbourhoods such as Montmartre, Le Marais, Les Halles or the Latin Quarter, perfect for spending some extra time exploring them at your leisure.

If you prefer less common visits by tourists, we suggest the Père Lachaise Cemetery, the Catacombs of Paris, the Montparnasse Tower (one of the best viewpoints in Paris), the Pantheon or the Opera Garnier, among many others.
To put the icing on the cake, there's nothing better than booking a boat trip on the Seine or a night tour to enjoy one of the best-lit cities in the world.

Another of the best tips for travelling to Paris is to complete this list of places to visit in Paris.

7. City tours

Paris is a city full of activities and places to visit, which makes it essential to prepare well the routes before leaving the hotel so you don't miss anything important.
Depending on how many days you have, we recommend between 3 and 5 days if it is your first trip, during which you will be able to see most of the interesting places in the city.
A good option to include in these routes are these free tours in Paris or this complete tour that includes a boat ride and a skip-the-line climb of the Eiffel Tower, which will help you learn about the history and curiosities of the city from an expert guide in English.

Based on the time we spent in Paris, we've put together these optimised guides which we're sure you'll find useful for mapping out your itineraries if you have 1-3 days.

• Paris in one day

• Paris in two days

• Paris in 3 days

• Paris in 4 days

• Paris in 5 or 6 days

Boat trip, one of the best tips for travelling in Paris

8. Where to eat in Paris

Another great reason to travel to Paris is to try the delicious French cuisine, always accompanied by a good glass of wine or champagne.
Some of the most typical dishes are:

• Soupe à l'oignon: soup made with chunks of bread, gruyère cheese and caramelised onion.

• Raclette: melted cheese mixed with boiled potatoes, sausages and gherkin, originally from Switzerland.

• Coq au vin: meat stew made with red or white wine.

• Omelettes: French omelettes to which vegetables and cheese may be added.

• Ratatouille: healthy vegetable dish: onion, tomato, aubergine and courgette.

• Escargots: snails cooked in butter, parsley and mayonnaise.

• Vichyssoise: leek purée.

• Croque Monsieur: Sliced bread stuffed with ham and Gruyère cheese.

• Gratin dauphinois: baked potatoes au gratin with fresh cream or milk.

• Boeuf bourguignon: beef stew cooked in red Burgundy wine.

Before lunch, don't forget to leave room for delicious French desserts such as crépes, macarons or le petit four, an assortment of small sweet and savoury pastries.
And for breakfast, there is nothing more typical than accompanying your coffee or café au lait with a freshly baked buttery croissant.

Among the most recommended restaurants, located in tourist areas, to try these delicious dishes are: Le Souffle, l'Ardoise, Sourirem, Sanukiya, Les Trublions, Saigon Pantheon, Comptoir Gourmet, 4 Pat, Au P'tit Grec, Fromagerie Danard, L'As du Fallafel and Au Petit Sud Ouest.
For more information, see this list of restaurants where to eat cheaply and well in Paris.

Parisian food

9. Tours and excursions

If you have some extra time, we recommend a trip to one of the wonders of France.
The first suggestion in this guide to Paris is a visit to the Palace of Versailles and, above all, to its incredible gardens, one of the most beautiful in the world.
You can get to the palace in half an hour from Paris by first taking the metro to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station and then hopping on the RER C train on the Versailles-Rive Gauche line.
For more information on this excursion, read this post on how to get from Paris to Versailles and this one on how to visit the Palace of Versailles.
The second recommendation for both children and adults is the excursion to Disneyland Paris, a fantasy world where you can have fun in the two parks of the complex: Disneyland and Walt Disney Studio.
To get to Disneyland Paris in 40 minutes, you have to get on the regional RER A train in the direction of Marne-la-Vallee Chessy at Châtelet Les Halles station and if you want to avoid waiting in the long queues it is advisable to book your tickets in advance here.
For more information, we recommend you to check this complete post with tips for travelling to Disneyland Paris.
The third proposal is a visit to Mont Saint Michel, a magical place located on a small island with a beautiful abbey at the top.
The last recommendation is a trip to the Loire Châteaux, one of the most beautiful regions of France with numerous fairytale castles.
The best option to visit the Mont Saint Michel and the Loire Valley Castles is to rent a car, although another more comfortable way to visit all these places is to book one of the best excursions from Paris with an English-speaking guide.

Mont Saint Michel

10. More Paris Travel Tips

Other top tips for travelling to Paris:

• The water in Paris is drinkable, so don't forget to ask in restaurants for "une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plaît" our traditional "tap water", which will save you a lot of money.

• Use a few French words such as: bonjour (good morning), bonsoir (good afternoon/evening), aur revoir (see you soon), salut (hello), merci (thank you), de rien (you're welcome), excusez-moi (excuse me), désolé (sorry).

• Remember that to avoid paying fees and to always have the current exchange rate, we recommend you use the Revolut card and the N26 card, which we use, are free and will save you a lot of money. You can find more information in this article about the best cards for commission-free travel.

• On the first Sunday of every month, entry to many museums is free, so it's worth bearing this in mind when organising your visits.

• Be careful with your belongings in crowded or touristy places. Although it is not an unsafe city, common sense, as you would use anywhere in the world, is a good travel companion.

The Eiffel Tower