UPDATED FEB 2020. If you are planning a trip to Paris but don’t know where to start then today’s post is for you. I’m sharing a travel planning guide to prepare you for a holiday to this iconic city, which, in my opinion, is a destination everyone should visit in their lifetime. Here you can find the basics on how to get around, where to stay, and how to stay safe. I hope it can help you and if you have any other questions, feel free to leave it in a comment.
Planning A Trip To Paris – Here’s What You Need To Know
What is the currency in Paris?
The currency used in Paris is the Euro.
There are ATMs at the airport and around the city for you to use and most places will accept a card.
Just keep a little cash on you for your smaller purchases like a lunchtime baguette or coffee in the park.
What language is spoken?
The official language spoken is French but Paris is accommodating to the English speaking traveler. Many people speak at least a little English.
It’s always nice to make an effort when you are visiting a new place though, so here are some useful phrases.
The ones I learned from Beauty and the Beast:
Bonjour – Good morning
And other useful phrases:
S’il Vous plaît – Please
Bonsoir – Good evening
Merci – Thank you
Pardon – Pardon me
Parlez-vous Anglais? – Do you speak English
How to get to Paris?
If you are flying, the main international airport is Charles de Gaulle Airport.
If you are in Europe, you can usually find cheap flights to either the Orly or Beauvais-Tillé airports as well.
You can use public transport from either of these to get into the central Paris area – Orly is the closer of the two.
If you are catching the train from one of the surrounding countries, book your ticket to Paris Gare du Nord.
Germany, Amsterdam, and Belgium are all within a couple of hours and you can book tickets with Thalys.
How long should you stay?
I recommend a minimum of 3 nights in Paris to explore the sights and soak it all in.
If you have longer, great. But if you only have a little time then allow yourself 3 nights.
When is the best time to plan a visit to Paris?
Is there a bad time to visit France?
Summer is a popular time to visit, but it will be the most crowded and expensive.
Visiting at the start or tail end, April – June or September – November, will be your best bet if you want the milder weather without the Summer crowds.
It’s worth noting though that Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world so there will always be crowds no matter when you visit.
Even in winter, there was a line of people around to get this touristy photo!
How to get around
Paris is not a place that you want to rent a car.
There’s really no need to either because it is easy to get around without one and driving in Paris is a little crazy.
When planning a visit to Paris, I recommend using the Metro which is the subway system.
It’s very easy to use, there are signs inside with the line map and you don’t usually have to wait long for the next train.
Depending on how many trips you will be making, you might want to get a Metro day pass for €7.50 which will give you unlimited rides. You can buy your tickets at machines or counters at the stations.
You can also walk around Paris easily because it’s such a pleasant place to go wandering. I did 30km of walking on my last day because it was so nice!
I recommend downloading an offline map on Google Maps for navigation. Here’s a guide on how to do that.
When planning a visit to Paris, allow some time to walk around and see the Eiffel Tower from different views
Where to stay
In my opinion, Paris is a place where you should treat yourself and book a room with an Eiffel Tower view.
I found a gorgeous Airbnb which had an amazing view, was close to all the sights and didn’t cost a fortune.
When I was researching Paris before my trip, I read that people either LOVED it or HATED it. Personally, I loved it. I think this Airbnb fueled the magical feelings of the trip and is a huge reason why I loved Paris so much.
What are the best things to see and do
I have a lot more information and details on this in my itinerary guide which is linked at the end of this post. As a summary though, I think you can’t miss:
- The Lourve
- Notre Dame
- Walk along the Seine
- Catacombs
- Boutique Shopping
Is it safe?
You can expect to see a lot of security while you are in Paris.
When I arrived, there was a passport check for everyone even traveling from EU countries, armed military roaming throughout the city, and bag checks to get into most sights. It’s a good idea to pack only what you need when you go out for the day to make the bag checks easier.
Pickpocketing is a big issue, especially around the touristy areas. It’s important to be mindful of this when you are out and about.
Don’t leave your wallet or phone in your back pocket and make sure you have a bag, crossbody is best, that can zip up to close. If it has an inside zip pouch, put your money and phone in there.
The emergency number is 112.
Last tip
This goes with any major city, but before you commit to a restaurant, make sure to check the prices.
As a major capital city, Paris can be expensive. Check the menu first to make sure it’s within your budget.
If you get a chance, check the Trip Advisor reviews as well. I learned this the hard way after I ate at a restaurant and got the worst food poisoning of my life! When I checked the reviews after the fact there were many other reviews from people who had also gotten sick after eating there.
Other guides to help you plan a visit to France
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