16 Paris Travel Tips That Will Make Your Trip Easier and More Fun
After many trips to Paris, here are our 16 Paris travel tips that will make your trip easier and more enjoyable.
Of all the big cities we’ve visited in Europe, Paris, at least in our opinion, is the most walkable city and the easiest to get around. Regardless of where you are staying, the small, charming streets and neighborhoods are perfect for walking while exploring. You’ll have the best time and when you need to get further than a nice long walk, you can always find a nearby Metro Station. If you find yourself needing to get somewhere in a hurry, you can always catch a taxi or an Uber.
Here are a few Paris travel tips for things we do that make getting around Paris easier, and more fun and ensure you have a good day.
Tip #1: Walk as much as you can and wear comfortable shoes
We usually log somewhere between 20k and 30k steps per day when we’re in France. It may seem like a lot, but they are enjoyable steps. And there are always a few stops along the way for a coffee and croissant, a sweet, or a gelato. I mean, after all, we are logging a lot of steps!
Whether you want to explore the left bank or the right bank, walking is how you’ll see the most.
Tip #2: Start your day with a rough itinerary of 2 or 3 destinations in mind
We always start the day with at least a couple of things we want to see. Maybe it’s several of the covered passageways or one of the museums. After we’ve enjoyed the first one on our list we just wing it and go from there. We see what we’re close to or find something within walking distance and head off. Along the way, we often stumble onto things that we’ve never seen or have forgotten about. It’s such a fun way to get a feel for the city away from all the tourist attractions. The local neighborhoods and streets are so charming and you find things along the way you wouldn’t otherwise see.
Tip #3: Get around using the Paris metro
Public transportation is the way to go. The metro really is the quickest and easiest way to get around Paris. I’m a long-time user of the NYC subway system and I like it and appreciate it. But, the Paris Metro is so much nicer and easier to navigate.
Paris’ train network consists of two separate but linked systems: the metro and the RER. The metro has 14 numbered lines and the RER has five main lines. The RER has separate stations inside Paris but primarily serves the towns outside of Paris. We usually ride the metro inside Paris, but when we need the RER, it’s there and it’s convenient.
The RER
The RER is great for day trips and getting from the airport to your destination in Paris. If you don’t have a lot of luggage, it’s easy and inexpensive. It is much less than a taxi or an Uber ride. The RER will also take you to Disneyland Paris or the Palace of Versailles.
For visitors, there are usually attendants at the airport ticket machines that will help you determine which ticket is best for where you are going. They’ll even help you make your purchases.
The Metro
You can buy a ticket each time you ride or opt for a daily pass. Or if you’re there long enough the weekly pass is the way to go.
A single-ride metro ticket is 2.10 euros. We buy tickets depending on how long we’ll be there and what days of the week we’ll be there. If you’re only there for a few days you can get a day pass for 8.65 euros. This includes zones 1-2 which get you almost everywhere around Paris proper. And it’s unlimited rides. If you’re there for a week (Sunday through Saturday) you can buy a weekly pass for 28.20 euros which includes 3 zones. It’s also unlimited in rides.
If you use the Navigo system, which is what we do, you can buy a refillable pass at any Metro station that has attendants. Bring a small passport-type photo with you, give it to the attendant and they’ll get you a reusable card. If you forget to bring a photo with you, they usually have a photo booth at the stations. But it will cost you 10 euros for each person.
Your reusable pass comes with a hard plastic protective sleeve and whenever you need to refill it, you just place it in the machine and pay for whichever plan you’re purchasing. Then it’s just swipe and go with unlimited rides per day or week. Keep in mind, when using the machines, there is an option for English. It took me a few times before I realized that. It does make it easier than trying to translate.
As of now, you can also upload a Navigo pass to your Apple Wallet and tap your iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader to pay without needing to unlock or wake your device. We also recently learned that Power Reserve continues to work with the Navigo card for up to five hours after your phone needs to be charged. However, you will have to turn on Express Mode.
Like any major city, during rush hour it gets pretty packed. So when buying tickets, try to do it outside the rush hour timeframe.
Tip #4: Use Maps on your phone to get around
We use Apple Maps and Google Maps to navigate around whether we’re walking or taking the Metro. As you know, they have both walking and mass transit options. It’s also a great way to see what’s around you and what’s between you and your destination. Another benefit is that maps show all the famous landmarks nearby.
If you’re using Maps with mass transit enabled, it gives you walking directions to the nearest metro as well as where to get on, change trains, and get off. It couldn’t be easier!
Tip #5: Carry a small portable charger with you
Between using maps, your camera, and the internet for looking things up, we can easily run the battery on our phones empty. We always carry a Clutch Charger with us. It’s small, thin, and fits in any pocket next to your phone. We also have a Mophie and a Thule charger, but both are bigger and heavier and not nearly as convenient. But whatever you use, take it with you every day. You’ll likely need it to recharge when you run low. And in that moment in the pouring rain when you need to call an Uber, you really don’t want your phone to be dead.
Tip #6: Take time to enjoy the café/bistro culture
No matter what time of year, we love sitting at sidewalk tables and having a coffee or a drink. It’s a nice little break and a great time for people-watching as the locals stroll by. It’s one of our favorite things to do. And the best part is they don’t try and rush you. You can actually sit as long as you would like. They won’t even bring the check until you ask for it. It’s a lovely way to relax and enjoy a break from being on the go.
This leads me to our next tip.
Tip #7: Always carry some spare change/coins
Another benefit of enjoying the sidewalk cafés is access to restrooms after you’ve been out and about in the city for a while. All of the cafés/bistros have restrooms, and many of them have bathroom attendants that you walk by on your way in and out of the restrooms. It’s highly encouraged to at least leave a euro in their tray. And they do clean up after each guest has been in the bathroom. So a clean bathroom in a big city is well worth a euro in my opinion.
Tip #8: Learn a few French phrases before you head out on your trip
Most Parisians or French people in general are very offended if you don’t at least say bonjour as you walk into their shop or restaurant. Au revoir and bonsoir also go a long way.
It does take a little time and effort to learn to order a drink or a coffee from the menu in French. But they do appreciate the effort and will be much nicer and more accommodating if you do. Merci also goes a long way.
We’ve used Babble and Duolingo to learn words and phrases, and they work great depending on how much time you want to spend learning the language. When you’re on the go, Google Translate can come in handy if you find yourself in a pinch.
Tip #9: Before you leave home, get some Euros from your local bank
You can use the exchange kiosks in the airport or on the streets but the commissions they charge are pretty high. We always call our bank, order however many euros we need, and they call us when the euros are ready for pickup.
If you get euros ahead and still need more cash, use an ATM and always decline the conversion. You’ll save yourself a few dollars each time. I’ve also noticed the ATM keypads don’t have letters, only numbers. So memorize the numbers in your PIN code if you’re used to using letters instead.
Tip #10: Be aware of pickpockets
In all big cities, you hear it all over the news and in all public places (like airports and train stations), “beware of pickpockets,” and you never think it will happen to you. But on our last trip to Paris, it did. We were in a very crowded section of Montmartre on a Sunday afternoon and were rushing to get the Metro to our next destination. The Metro was packed with wall-to-wall people. You couldn’t even move. At the last second, before the doors closed, three men jumped on and surrounded my husband and began reaching into his pockets and up the legs of his pants. Thankfully, they weren’t very good, and the next stop was a short ride, so he was able to fend them off and jump out quickly at the next stop.
We now carry our wallets and cash in my bag (with closures) or a cross-body bag and are much more aware of our surroundings. Keep your belongings close to you at all times.
Tip #11: Some of the best views of the City of Lights are not from the Eiffel Tower
One of the best views of Paris, which includes seeing the Eiffel Tower and other monuments, is from the Arc de Triomphe. It’s a bit of a hike up the stairs, but well worth it.
Another great view is from the Centre Pompidou. You can ride the escalators on the outside of the building to the top floor. The views are spectacular and might end up being some of the highlights of your trip. Centre Pompidou is close to the le Marais district in the 4th arrondissement. From there, you can venture out and walk through all the charming streets in the area.
Tip #12: Skip the restaurants one day or night and opt for a picnic along the Seine River or in one of the lovely parks
Stop at one of the boulangeries and patisseries you pass along the way and grab some baguettes, pastries, cheese, and a nice bottle of wine. It will be one of the most memorable dinners or lunches you’ll have.
Tip #13: If you’re planning to visit several museums, buy the Paris Museum Pass
If you plan to visit multiple museums during your visit, the museum pass might be a good option. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and money. In some cases, you can even skip the long lines. The pass gets you into over 50 museums and monuments. So whether you are visiting the Louvre Museum (as small as she is, everyone needs to see the Mona Lisa at least once), the Musée d’Orsay, or others, consider the museum pass. The pass gets you in, but you still need to book your time slots in advance for some of them.
A museum pass will cost 62 euros (for the 2-day pass), and you have three choices: a 2-day pass, a 4-day pass, or a 6-day pass. The validity of the pass doesn’t start when you purchase it but when you visit the first museum.
Tip #14: Try a few nights at The Mob House Hotel
There is no shortage of great hotels to stay in when visiting Paris. But if you’re looking for something a little bit more fun and interesting, try The Mob House Hotel. It’s not in the Paris City Center (we kind of like that), but it has some extras that we think are worth it.
First, you have access to two nearby Metro lines. It has a pool that is open during the summer and into fall. It has plenty of space in the lobby for hanging out – and doing some work if you have to. The gym is well equipped with new machines and weights. And you’re just a few blocks away from the largest Flea Market in Paris. Here’s a link to an article we wrote recently about The Mob House Hotel and all it has to offer. Since we discovered it, we have always stayed there.
Tip #15: Enjoy a late-night treat and have a crepe at our favorite crepe stand in all of Paris
Almost everywhere you go in France, you can find a crepe stand of some kind. But there truly are subtle differences. Our favorite is right by Cafe de Flore (same side of the street) and right when you come up and out of the Saint Germain metro station.
If you’re feeling indulgent, treat yourself to a Nutella crepe – although, be armed with extra napkins because it is messy. But our favorite is the butter and sugar crepe. I think it’s the simplicity that makes it taste so good. One of our favorite things to do is grab a crepe and stroll through the small and charming streets of Saint Germain before we head back to the hotel for the night.
Tip #16: Always carry a few small bandaids with you
Traveling can be brutal. A few bandaids can help in a lot of different situations. You can scrape or cut your finger just trying to plug your computer or phone charger into an outlet on an airplane. There are a lot of sharp corners down there. You can get scraped lifting an overweight bag onto the weighing station at the airport while you’re checking it. Or, walking extra miles in even the most broken-in shoes can cause blisters.
I’m not talking about a first aid kit, just carry a few small bandaids in your purse or wallet. And if you do get a blister, I like these bandaids. Or, for a convenient travel pack, you could try these that will fit in your purse or backpack.
