Paris, France Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know

Paris is a city that everyone dreams about visiting at least once in their lifetime. The amazing views of the Eiffel Tower, the picture perfect alleyways, the cute bakeries with the best macaroons.. how could you not want to visit Paris!? These are all of my top Paris, France travel tips to make sure your next trip to the city of love is the absolute best.

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Paris, France Travel Tips

Arrive Early to Avoid the Crowds

For attractions like the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, and most museums in Paris, you’ll want to be one of the first ones there in the morning if you don’t want to deal with the crowds of other tourists. Popular spots like these tend to be overrun with tourists by midday. Make sure to also book your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in lines when you arrive. Visiting during the week and in off-season can also help you to avoid the larger crowds as fewer people are traveling at these times.

Use the Public Transportation

The Paris metro is fairly easy to navigate and all you need to do is purchase a metro card when you arrive. A single-use metro/bus ticket costs about $2 USD or you can buy a “carnet” which is 10 single-use tickets for about $15 USD. You can also buy a 1-5 day pass which includes discounts to some of the major landmarks in Paris. Tickets can be purchased at any metro station in the city.

Visit the Louvre for Free

The Louvre is the largest museum in the world and is home to the famous Mona Lisa which everyone will be fighting just to catch a glimpse of. Tickets to the Louvre typically cost €17 (about 18 USD). If you want to visit the Louvre for free, you actually can every Friday after 6PM as long as you’re under the age of 26. The Louvre also has free entry on the first Saturday of each month from 6pm to 9:45pm. Keep in mind that crowds tend to be much larger on days with free admission. If you plan on visiting many museums in Paris it may be worth investing in the Paris Museum Pass.

For more info and visiting hours for the Louvre, click here.

Always Keep Cash on You

While most places do accept credit/debit cards there are many places that require cash for smaller purchases (ex: anything under $10). You’ll also want to have some cash handy for tipping and any shopping you do on the streets. Never keep large amounts of cash on you as pickpockets are, unfortunately, very common in touristy cities like Paris. Smaller bills are always best.

Take Advantage of the Walking Tours

Most touristy cities (like Paris) have tons of guided walking tours available. It’s a great way to learn new things about the city and you often get after-hours or behind the scenes access to a lot of the popular sites. Plus, you’re almost guaranteed to hear unique stories or learn crazy facts about the area from your guide that you won’t find anywhere else. Just don’t forget to tip your guide after the tour!

Don’t forget to check out my other post: The Best Spot for Sunrise in Paris.

Have a Picnic for Lunch

A quick and easy way to save money in Paris is to have a picnic instead of eating at restaurants. You can find tons of great food at any local grocery store and for much cheaper. Ignore the cliches and buy yourself some cheese, a baguette, a bottle of wine, and head to one of the parks for a picnic. If you do choose to eat at the restaurants, avoid the ones in really touristy areas (like by the Eiffel Tower) as they will almost certainly be way overpriced.

Stay at an Airbnb

Airbnb’s in Paris are typically much cheaper than hotels and they give you the opportunity to cook a meal at home and save a little extra money. You can find tons of Airbnb’s in Paris for less than $50USD/night and you get the whole place to yourself, typically in a pretty good area! It’s a great way to get more of an authentic experience from your stay.

Click here for a discount on your first stay by signing up for Airbnb through my link!

The Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Paris would be late spring or early fall. The crowds are much smaller than in the summer months but the weather is still perfect for travel. Paris is not only busiest in the summer months but it tends to be more expensive as well.

Must-See Spots in Paris

• Trocadero Square
• Eiffel Tower
• Arc de Triomphe
• Disneyland Paris
• The Louvre Museum
• Champs-Élysées
• Jardin de Tuileries
• Cafe Ladurée
• The Catacombs of Paris
• Moulin Rouge
• Notre Dame Cathedral
• Musee d’Orsay

While the touristy spots in Paris are definitely worth checking out, many of the off-the-beaten-path spots are as well. We found some of our favorite restaurants, shops, and cafes by walking down random side streets throughout the city. Don’t be afraid to take some time to explore places that are unplanned and unknown. You’ll likely be glad that you did!

What are some of your best Paris, France travel tips? Share in a comment below!

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Don’t forget to check out these other posts:

• The Best Place to Watch the Sunrise in Paris
• Traveling As a Couple
• Five Great Things to Do in Moscow
• A Sunrise Paris Proposal
• How to Avoid Looking Like an American Tourist
• The Best Airbnb’s Around the World