Salut from Paris,
are you researching and planning a trip to Paris? Or are you thinking of traveling to Paris and need some more info? Maybe it’s your first time in France (or Europe even) and you wonder what to expect and what you need to take care of. Look no further, I’ve got you covered!
Being a traveler myself – my family took a round-the-world trip in 2018 that I organized from A to Z – I know how to plan a trip. But I also know how unsettling travel planning can be if you have never been to a place.
There’s a lot to figure out, and every detail that slips your attention might turn into a major bummer.
Start with the free Paris Survival Guide
I am here to support you! As a first step, sign up for my Free Paris Survival Guide. This compact guide gives you a short sum up of the most important things: tipping, metro, scams & etiquette.
The mission of Salut from Paris is to be your friend in Paris. Pick my brain, and use my Paris insider knowledge and my travel experience to plan the trip of your dreams.
To connect with fellow Paris travelers and get access to our Paris hivemind, join our Facebook Community. We are more than 8k Paris Experts and love to answer your most pressing questions.
Plan your trip to Paris from scratch
Each trip is different, and travel planning is as individual as you are. But there are a few universal parts in trip planning, that no one gets around. In the following, I will walk you through the cornerstone elements, that you need to have on your radar.
#1 Hotels in Paris: Where to stay?
The most essential part of travel planning is, of course, to find good and safe accommodation in Paris. Sounds easy, but there are more than 1000 Hotels to choose from, and you wouldn’t be the first to get hit with decision paralysis.
In a few words: Paris is divided into 20 Arrondissements, the smaller the number, the more central. For tourists, the arrondissements 1-10 are the most interesting. They are safe, central, and closest to most sights. To see my recommendation on hotel locations, read my guide about the best Arrondissement to stay in Paris.
If you haven’t booked your hotel yet, take a look at my Paris Hotel Guides. They provide you with a plethora of hotel suggestions that are in safe and attractive locations, with a good price-for-value.
If you are traveling on a budget, take a look at our recommendations for the best budget hotels in Paris:
#2 Airport Transfers & Metro Rides
Getting around in Paris is another key element when you plan your trip to Paris. The Parisian Metro is rather easy to use, and you will find yourself walking more than you can imagine. But even if you decide to only use Uber and Taxis, there are a few things to keep in mind.
For example, most drivers only accept 3 passengers. Did you know that? If your party is bigger, you either need to order a van or book 2 cars. But let’s start at the beginning: Airport Transfers.
Airport Transfer: How to get into town?
Paris has 2 main airports, Orly in the South and Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG) in the North. Both are connected to Paris by train. So, hopping on a train is certainly a good and most affordable option.
A more comfortable and less stressful option is to hire a private driver. They pick you up at the gate, monitor your flight in case of delays, and you can organize the pick-up in advance when still relaxed at home. As a plus, it’s only a tad pricier than a taxi from the Taxi stand.
Many companies in Paris are offering this pick-up service. However, I can recommend Welcome Pickups, simply because I use them myself, and they’ve never let me down. Get your quote in a couple of seconds here.
- English-speaking drivers
- Flat, pre-paid fee
- Flight monitoring for delays
- 24/7 Customer support + free cancellation
Getting Around in Paris: The Metro
Once in Paris, most visitors and locals alike rely on public transportation: Metro, RERs, Trams and Buses. And frankly, those are your most efficient options, both in terms of price and travel time.
Read my article about how to use the Parisian Metro for more information on schedules and tickets. You find in this article as well useful tips on how to avoid fines and common mishaps.
#3 Create your Personal Paris Bucket List
You probably have already a rough idea about what you want to see and do in Paris. Some sights in Paris are no-brainers: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Montmartre, and the Arc de Triomphe… just to name a few.
And even though going with the flow and just roaming through Paris sounds fantastic, unfortunately, there are a few things you need to organize ahead of time. That’s because Paris is insanely popular and at times pretty packed. Getting last-minute tickets for the Eiffel Tower? At times impossible.
Below, I put together an overview of sights and activities for you that you best book in advance. Especially the Eiffel Tower, the Catacombs, the Louvre, and the Versailles Castle sell out quickly.
- Eiffel Tower (no fast past on site)
- Louvre Museum
- Arc de Triomphe
- Seine River Cruise
But apart from the known and famous landmarks in Paris, there is so much more to see and do. Don’t hesitate to browse through the categories on my website to get a more detailed idea of what not to miss in Paris.
I especially recommend that you take a look at these publications:
- Itineraries, Walks & Neighborhoods in Paris
- Eat & Drink: Restaurants, Cafés, Bars & Speakeasies
- 98+ Exciting Hidden Gems in Paris
#4 Know before you go!
Paris is a wonderful city that I adore, but truth be told, it’s not all bells and whistles. I often receive reports from tourists that got scammed or overcharged, who had to pay fines on the Metro, or who came across some mishaps, that turned out to be a real setback.
So, my best advice here is to know what to expect and to learn about the common pitfalls before you travel to Paris. I have a few posts on exactly these subjects that will help you to know better what to do and what not. And how to avoid the most common mistakes in Paris.
Here’s for you, a list of articles that cover the most important things to know before boarding your plane to Paris:
- Scams in Paris: 13 Top Tips to Avoid Common Cons
- What NOT to do in Paris -23 (costly) Paris Mistakes you need to avoid!
- Pack for Paris: Essentials you need in 2023!
- Moreover, take a look at my seasonal guides to get a more details idea of what to pack, see and do
Voilà, that’s it for starters. If you have questions or require advice, join the Salut from Paris Planning Facebook group! You can find me there most of the time, and I am ready to help you. 🙂
à bientôt,
Parisienne since 2006 🩷
Expert in: Parisian Life &
French Culture, Travel
Planning, Crochet & Food and Drinks
Join me on Facebook for updates and news about Paris.
Must Have Paris Travel Essentials
International Travel Adapter
Portable Charger for your Phone
PS: Check out these posts, they will help you plan your trip to Paris
- 20 Arrondissements in Paris (Quick Guide + Map)
- Paris hidden gems: 80+ well kept secrets you shouldn’t miss
- What NOT to do in Paris -23 (costly) Paris Mistakes you need to avoid!
- 14 Hotels with stunning Eiffel Tower views- for (almost) every budget!
- Your Perfect 2 Days in Paris! Itinerary & Insider Tips
- 5 ways to get from Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris – THE complete guide!
- Scams in Paris! How to avoid the most common cons
- Paris Itineraries: Rue Mouffetard and around
- Salon de l’Agriculture: Paris’ Best Food Festival
- 33 outstanding Louvre Quotes & Captions
- 20 Intriguing Louvre Facts: Untold stories you can’t miss
- 9 Paris Apps You Need to Download Before Traveling
- 27 Best Activities for a Rainy Day in Paris
- 21 Non-Touristy Things to do in Paris: A Local’s Guide
- Easter in Paris 2024 – Everything You Need to Know
- New Year’s in Paris: Fireworks, celebrations & more (2024 Guide)
- 4 Days in Paris: Complete Itinerary & Insider Tips
- Your Perfect 2 Days in Paris! Itinerary & Insider Tips
- A Day Trip To Versailles: Complete Guide & Visitor Tips
- 59+ Free & Fun Things to do in Paris
- Can you Drink Tap Water in Paris? Get Your Clear Answer
- Galeries Lafayette Paris: Shopping and Beyond (Tips & Info)
- 23 Movies about Paris to Watch Before Your Trip
- 24 Most Famous French Actresses you should know
- 17 Famous Bridges in France: Architectural Time Travel
- 20 Famous French Actors You Know From The Screens
- 11 Best Playgrounds in Paris: Tips from a Local Mom
- Snow in Paris: Your Ultimate Winter Wonderland Guide
- Tipping in Paris – How to Do it Right (+cheat sheet)
- 8 Absolute Best Hotels Near the Paris Convention Center
- A Day trip to Reims from Paris: Champagne & History
- 13 Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in Paris (updated 2024)
- 5 Best Seine River Cruise in Paris: Your Ultimate Guide
Search by Keyword
Search by Category