Paris Bound? Tick Off These 9 Essentials First

Planning a trip to Paris is exciting—but there are a few things you’ll want to get right before you go. Some are easy to overlook, and once you arrive, they’re not always simple to fix.

From booking key tickets in advance to knowing what to expect when you land, a little preparation can make a big difference in how smooth your trip feels.

After years of living in Paris and seeing what travelers often forget, I’ve put together this practical checklist of everything worth doing before you leave—so you can avoid common mistakes and enjoy your time in the city from the moment you arrive.

Before You Go to Paris: Your 9-Step Checklist

Now that you’ve handled the essentials, here’s the full checklist I personally go through before every trip.

Some of these might seem small — but they can make a huge difference once you’re actually there (and help you avoid the kind of mistakes most first-time visitors only realize after they arrive).

Let’s go step by step so you can feel completely prepared

#1 Buy an eSim to Stay Connected ✔️

→ my recommendation: eSim from Airalo. Check data packages here.

Google Maps won’t load. You can’t call an Uber. And suddenly you’re standing in the airport, jet-lagged, trying to connect to slow public Wi-Fi just to figure out where to go.

I’ve done this before — and it’s not how you want your first hour in Paris to feel.

That’s why I always set up an eSIM before I fly.

→ I personally use Airalo, because it’s the easiest one I’ve found.

And honestly? I don’t even fully understand how it works technically — I just follow the steps in the app, click a few buttons, and it’s ready in minutes.

When I land, my phone connects automatically. No stress, no searching, no waiting.

No roaming shock. No SIM card counters. No fiddling with tiny plastic cards.

What I also like is that you stay in control of your spending.
For example, around 10 GB costs about €13, which is more than enough for maps, messages, and finding places to eat.

And if you’re traveling beyond Paris, Airalo works in over 200 countries — so you don’t need to switch plans mid-trip.

→ Check the available France data packages here and set it up before your flight.

It takes just a few minutes — and makes a huge difference when you arrive.

#2 Get Travel Insurance ✔️

I’ll say it clearly: don’t travel to Paris without travel insurance → Get a quote here

It’s one of those things you hope you’ll never need — but if something does happen, you’ll be incredibly glad you have it.

Accidents and illnesses don’t wait for convenient timing. Flights get delayed. Luggage gets lost. And dealing with any of that in a foreign country adds a whole extra layer of stress.

I learned this the hard way.

When my youngest fell out off bed and broke his collarbone during a trip to Niagara Falls. The situation was already overwhelming — but knowing we were insured made a huge difference in how we handled it.

(One thing we learned after: always call the insurance before going to the hospital — it can save you a lot of hassle.)

That experience completely changed how I travel — from “it’ll probably be fine” to “better safe than sorry.”

I personally recommend checking plans with VisitorCoverage — you can compare options and get a quote in just a couple of minutes. Rates start at around €14 for a week in Paris, and their Trustpilot rating is 4.8/5.0 — which makes choosing a plan a lot easier.

It’s a small cost for real peace of mind — and it lets you actually enjoy your trip without worrying about the “what ifs.”

→ Compare plans and get a quote with VisitorCoverage here.

#3 Organize Your Airport Transfer Before You Land ✔️

→ my recommendation: Book a ride with Welcome Pickup

After a long overnight flight, the last thing you want is to make transportation decisions while tired, jet-lagged, and standing in airport chaos.

Trying to figure out which RER train to take, where to buy the right ticket, or whether a taxi is legitimate is not how most first-time visitors want to start their trip to Paris.

It’s also an easy moment to overpay or make a stressful situation harder than it needs to be.

That’s why I always recommend deciding on your airport transfer before you leave home.

You don’t necessarily need a private driver every time. But you should know exactly how you’re getting from the airport to your hotel, whether that’s by train, taxi, or a pre-booked car.

My personal tip: after red-eye flights, I usually book a transfer with Welcome Pickups.

It’s often only a little more than a regular taxi, and if you’re traveling as a group of three or more, it can work out to about the same price as the train.

What I like is how easy it makes arrival: your driver waits for you at arrivals, helps with your luggage, and takes you straight to your hotel.

No ticket machines. No guesswork. No standing around trying to think clearly when you’re exhausted.

👉 Check availability and book your airport transfer here.

If you’re still deciding between train, taxi, or private transfer, I break down all options step by step here: Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris: The Complete Guide.

#4 Buy Paris Attraction Tickets ✔️

→ Here’s my list of 7 Paris Sights to Book in Advance – and 5 NOT to

Paris is home to some of the most visited attractions in the world — and tickets for the most popular ones often sell out days (sometimes weeks) in advance.

I’ve seen this catch a lot of first-time visitors off guard.

They assume they can just show up and buy tickets — and then end up standing in line for over an hour… or worse, not getting in at all.

That’s especially common at places like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.

If there are sights you absolutely don’t want to miss, I highly recommend booking them before your trip. It guarantees your time slot and saves you from wasting hours in line.

And those lines can easily take up a big part of your day — time you could be spending actually enjoying Paris.

#5 Get a Travel Adapter (& Check Voltage) ✔️

→ This is the travel adapter I use
→ This is the voltage converter if your device isn’t dual voltage
→ This is the power bank my family uses

This is one of those small things that’s easy to forget — until your phone is at 5% and you realize you can’t plug it in.

France uses Type C and Type E outlets, so if you’re coming from outside Europe, your devices probably won’t fit into the sockets.

👉 This is the adapter I use – it’s compact, reliable, and works in multiple countries, which is especially useful if Paris isn’t your only stop.

Now, there’s one detail many people overlook: voltage.

France runs on 230V. If you’re coming from the US, some devices — especially hair tools — aren’t compatible.

Here’s a quick way to check:

• If it says 100–240V, you only need a plug adapter.
• If not, you’ll need a voltage converter otherwise you risk damaging it

I once saw someone knock out the electricity in an entire apartment building using the wrong straightener… not exactly the kind of Paris memory you want to make.

And one more thing: bring a power bank. (My family uses this one)

You’ll be out all day using maps, digital tickets, and taking photos. Charging options aren’t always convenient. I use a Anker power bank — it’s reliable and easily lasts a full day out in Paris.

#6 Verify Your Passport ✔️

To enter France, your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen area. It also must have been issued within the last 10 years. If either rule isn’t met, the airline can refuse boarding before you even leave home.

I recommend aiming for six months of validity, even though three is the official minimum. It removes any gray area and gives you peace of mind.

This takes less than a minute to verify. It can save you a canceled trip.

For the most up-to-date entry requirements, always double-check the official French government website before you travel.

#7 Apply for Visa or ETIAS (If Required) ✔️

Before heading to Paris, make sure you have the correct travel authorization.

Depending on your nationality, you may need a Schengen visa. The French Government’s “Visa Wizard” tool is the easiest way to check your exact requirements.

If you’ve traveled to Europe visa-free in the past, pay attention: the rules are changing.

From late 2026, travelers from visa-exempt countries will need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) before entering the Schengen Area.

The application itself is meant to be quick and online. But here’s something important: make absolutely sure you’re on the official website.

I almost fell for a third-party site myself when traveling to the UK recently. Everything looked official — until I noticed the price was over €100. That’s when I realized it wasn’t the real government page.

For ETIAS, use only the official EU website:
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en

Without a valid visa or ETIAS (once implemented), the airline will not let you board your flight.

Check this early. It’s not something you want to discover at the airport.

#8 Organize Luggage Storage

Depending on your arrival or departure time, you might want to organize your Paris luggage storage so you don’t waste time heading back and forth to your hotel.

This is especially useful if you’re staying outside the city center. Instead, you can start exploring Paris right away or make the most of your last few hours before your flight.

I recommend Radical Storage. They have more than 350 trusted locations across Paris, so wherever you plan to explore, there will be a convenient drop-off point nearby.

I used them myself on my last trip to Dublin and it was a smooth and hassle-free experience. Prices start at €2.90 per bag, and for the extra peace of mind, every bag is covered by a €3,000 guarantee.

They’ll help you navigate the metro, find restaurants, store your tickets, check museum hours, and translate menus in seconds. It makes everything easier — especially on your first day.

If you’ve already set up your eSIM, you won’t have to worry about data. Your maps and tickets will just work. (I use this eSim)

I’ve put together a clear list of the apps I actually use and recommend — no fluff, just the useful ones.

→ Read: 9 Paris Apps You Need to Download Before Traveling

Download them before departure, log in, and set them up. It’s one of those small steps that makes a big difference once you’re here.

If you’ve worked through this checklist, you’re already ahead of most travelers.

Paris rewards a little preparation. Once you’ve covered these essentials, you can land calm, connected, and ready to enjoy the city instead of solving problems.

Before you board, quickly confirm:

→ Passport validity
→ Travel authorization (if required)
→ Insurance coverage
→ Airport transfer
→ Major attraction tickets

These small steps make a real difference on day one.

Paris isn’t always effortless. But with a bit of planning, it can feel that way.

Now all that’s left?
Order your café crème, look around, and enjoy the fact that everything is already handled.

Want more Paris recommendations? Here’s my free Google Map with 200+ spots 🗺️

À bientôt,

Lena

Parisienne since 2006 🇫🇷
Sharing Paris life, French culture, cafés, food & honest travel tips

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