A little preparation makes Paris much easier. The city is compact and well connected, but it has its own rules – from metro tickets to café etiquette and museum closing days. I read the timetables so you don’t have to; here are the essentials, from the moment you land to the moment you leave.
Getting in from the airports
Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
The RER B train links the airport to Gare du Nord, Châtelet and Saint-Michel in roughly 35–50 minutes. Airport buses and taxis are alternatives; official taxis apply a fixed fare to central Paris, set by the city – take them only from the official rank.
Orly (ORY)
Metro line 14 now connects Orly to the city centre directly, in around half an hour to Châtelet. Taxis also apply a fixed fare.
Arriving by train
Paris has six main railway stations. Gare du Nord serves London and Brussels, Gare de Lyon the south and Switzerland, Gare de l’Est eastern France and Germany. All are on the metro.
Getting around Paris
- The metro is fast and dense: you are rarely more than a few minutes from a station. Lines 1 and 14 are automatic and very frequent.
- Buy tickets on your phone or at machines; ticket options change, so check the current offer on the RATP website.
- Walk: many sights are closer than they look on the metro map – Notre-Dame to the Louvre is a 15-minute stroll.
- Buses are slower but scenic; line 69 crosses the city past many monuments.
- Vélib’ bikes and an extensive network of cycle lanes make cycling easy; a guided Paris bike tour is a good way to start.
- Avoid driving – traffic, low-emission rules and parking make it difficult.
Tours and activities in Paris
Tickets, passes and booking
- Book timed slots for the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Sainte-Chapelle and Versailles – some sell out days ahead.
- The Paris Museum Pass can be worthwhile if you visit many museums and monuments in a few days.
- Many national museums are free for EU residents under 26 – bring ID.
- Some museums are free on the first Sunday of the month at certain times of year, but expect crowds.
Money and payments
- Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including contactless and phone payments; keep a few coins for markets and toilets.
- Service is included in restaurant bills; tipping is optional.
- Cash machines are easy to find; choose to be charged in euros to avoid poor exchange rates.
Safety
- Watch your belongings on the metro, especially line 1 and around the big stations.
- Be wary of petition sellers and “friendship bracelet” sellers near Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower.
- Keep your phone out of reach on café terraces and on the metro near the doors.
- In an emergency, dial 112.
Etiquette that makes a difference
- Always say “Bonjour” when entering a shop, a restaurant or even a taxi – and “Au revoir” when you leave.
- Keep your voice down on public transport.
- Ask for the bill – waiters will not bring it until you do; lingering is normal.
- Dress respectfully in churches, and avoid visiting during services.
- On escalators, stand on the right.
Practical details
- Plugs: type E, 230 V.
- Tap water is safe and free in restaurants: ask for “une carafe d’eau”; public fountains are everywhere.
- Opening days: many museums close on Monday or Tuesday; check before you go.
- Sundays: many shops close, but markets, museums and the Marais stay lively.
- Toilets: free public toilets (sanisettes) are found on many streets.
Smart tricks
- Use a Seine cruise for orientation: a river cruise on your first evening shows you the whole centre in an hour.
- Picnic like a Parisian: buy bread and cheese at a market and eat by the river.
- Get up early: the city is magical, and the big sights are calmer, before 10 a.m.
Plan the rest
See where to stay in Paris, follow our 3-day itinerary and choose your season with the best time to visit Paris.
