12 essential travel tips for your next trip to Paris

It can feel overwhelming to plan your first trip to Paris. The French capital is a maze of arrondissements filled with world-famous landmarks and museums. Luckily for you, we’ve put together a selection of Paris travel tips for first-time visitors. This travel guide will help you plan your trip, save some money, and make the best of your visit to Paris.

Paris is alive with activities in June, July, and August. These summer months promise long days of sunshine with temperatures ranging from 59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. However, expect peak prices for accommodation during this high season.

For better deals and fewer crowds, visit during the shoulder season in spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October). These months will treat you to spring blooms and fall foliage.

The low season in Paris stretches from November to the end of March, with the exception of the Christmas period. This is a great time to visit for a romantic winter getaway.

Paris is divided into 20 districts which are known as ‘arrondissements’. If you want a central base near Louvre Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral, opt for the 1st arrondissement on the right banks of the Seine River. If you’d like to stay near the Eiffel Tower, the 7th arrondissement has plenty of hotels with close-up views of this landmark.

Ultimately, the best arrondissement to stay in Paris depends on your travel style. Budget travelers flock to the Latin Quarter (5th arrondissement), well-heeled shoppers splurge on luxury brands in Élysée (8th arrondissement), while couples love the romantic vibes in Butte-Montmartre (18th arrondissement).

No matter the season, Paris is a magnet for tourists worldwide. It’s common to see long lines in popular attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum.

As such, it’s worth booking skip-the-line tickets. Apart from saving precious hours, you can get special perks too. For example, Mon Petit Paris gives you priority entry to the Eiffel Tower with access to the summit viewpoint, while City Wonders takes you on a guided tour of the Louvre Museum with an art expert.

The Paris Pass is a sightseeing pass that offers you admission to over 75 attractions in Paris. This includes famous museums from Musée d'Orsay to Grevin Museum and experiences such as wine tasting at Les Caves du Louvre. The pass ranges from 2 to 6 days.

Is the pass worth it, though? It can offer you huge savings if you build your itinerary around the attractions available—so make sure to do the math.

Paris has an extensive transport system comprising buses, tramways, metro, and the RER train network. To get around the city easily, get a Navigo Découverte Travel Card. It costs 5 euros ($5.50) and can be purchased from the ticket office of any metro or RER station. Once you have this card, you can load a Navigo daily or weekly pass on it for unlimited travel.

Alternatively, buy a single ticket as and when you need it. These are called Ticket t+. They are valid for two hours and they cost 1.90 euros each or 16.90 euros for a pack of 10.

Navigate Paris like a pro by downloading the city’s official transport app, Bonjour RATP. This app will show you maps of the transport network and schedules in real time. You can even top up your Navigo pass with it.

The public transportation system in Paris is convenient for visiting attractions at opposite ends of the city. However, keep in mind that Paris is compact and walkable. If you enjoy an active vacation, you can stroll for hours along wide boulevards and cobbled lanes.

Up for less conventional transport options? Velib' Métropole offers a bike-sharing program with many self-service docking points throughout the city. Book your pass online or at the automated kiosk, and you're all set to explore Paris on a Velib' bicycle.

Another great way to see Paris is on a Seine River cruise. Bateaux Parisiens has sightseeing cruises coupled with a three-course dinner and a stop at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

Paris is home to over 40,000 restaurants—but if you want to wine and dine without disappointment, book well ahead. Michelin-starred restaurants like Guy Savoy can be fully booked for months to come. Make reservations at least a week in advance to secure a dinner spot in a popular restaurant like Le Fouquet's or Le Chateaubriand.

In case you need help, ask your hotel to make these reservations for you.

You don’t have to break the bank to satiate your hunger in Paris. Many restaurants offer a set menu for weekday lunch and dinner where you’ll get a starter, main course, and a dessert for a fixed price. This menu is usually displayed at the storefront. Tap water is free with your order so ask for une carafe d’eau (a water jug) to go with your meal.

For a casual bite, order the famous falafel at L'As du Fallafel or a Lebanese pizza at Man’Ouché. On top of that, any Parisian bakery down the street serves up bread, pastries, and cakes that can make up a filling meal.

It’s easy to fill up your itinerary with the 'must-visit' attractions in Paris. Before you do that, dig a little deeper because you might find things right up your alley—be it Musée Curie, a museum dedicated to Marie Curie, or La Mouette Rieuse, a bookstore with a hidden coffee shop.

In the mood for a stroll? Put on your walking shoes to discover Petite Ceinture. This former railway line that traverses many arrondissements has been transformed into a green walking path. It’s a real hidden gem that even some Parisians don’t know of its existence.

Pickpockets that prey on tourists linger around tourist areas like the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, and Montmartre. To avoid falling prey, don’t keep your valuables in your back pocket or an unzipped bag. Also, be on your guard when you’re approached by a stranger to sign a petition or buy a bracelet. Many pickpockets operate in groups where one member attempts to distract you with a ruse while another targets your belongings.

A bit of French goes a long way in Paris. After all, French people are known to be proud of their language. Locals appreciate it when you greet them with ‘bonjour’ and thank them with ‘merci’. Replace your ‘please’ with ‘s'il vous plaît’, and you will receive a smile. You can learn some basic French for free with apps like Duolingo and Memrise.

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